[C320-list] Anti Blister protection

[Blue Canute]

Ahh, blisters and the Catalina 320.
Catalina had a major blistering problem on hulls built in late 1995 and 96.
All C320s have been built using vinylester laminate which is a vapor barrier
against osmotic blisters. The blisters that were a problem were not osmotic
blisters and the hull was dry.  The blisters formed in a blue "back up
material" that is between the gelcoat and the "skin coat" (vinylester
resin). There were many, many small blisters the size of a pencil eraser.

I have records, gathered from this list, on 26 hulls between #319 and #419
that reported the problem.
Gerry Douglas published a 2 page detail fix for the problem. The fix was
basically peel the gelcoat including the blue material then rebuild the
outer hull (that is a gross oversimplification). As I understand Catalina
paid for everything.

Sadly, I know more about this than I would like, but Blue Canute has a
bullet proof bottom.
John
John & Jeanine Giddings
Blue Canute   C320  # 380
Greenwich, CT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephane Rousseau" <stephaner at gmail.com>
To: <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 3:13 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Anti Blister protection


> Hello,
>
> I have a Catalina 320 1998, this year, I have remove all the antifouling
on
> the bottom. It can be a good time to make an antiblister protection
> (Interprotec). I know that some boats and years need it. Does Catalina320
> boat need this protection to be added?
>
> Thank
>
> Stephane
>