[C320-list] Question abouts Blisters on Early Models

[mseyler at cox.net]

Tony,

My 1995 320, No.232, is also in the water year round.  I haver her hauled every 2-3 years to do bottom paint, and at least half the time I find 1-2 blisters.  My yard calls them "boat pox" and charges me a few hundred dollars per haul-out to repair whatever we find.  So I've just been living with it as a cost of owning a 25 year old boat. I've never had the internal hull moisture tested beyond the blisters, so don't know if the moisture is high elsewhere.   

I knew someone who had a full peel 20 years ago, when he bought a then 30+ year old Cal.  It took a long time for the moisture content to go down enough to start with new gelcoat.  (But that was here in New Orleans where high humidity is a fact of life.)  I hope it doesn't cost you a summer of sailing.  Good luck.

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality, 
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA



-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of amshd2 at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2020 11:07 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Question abouts Blisters on Early Models

All
I have a earley model 320 a 94 Hull # 30.  She stay in the water and comes out every 2 years for new bottom paint.
Last uear she came out and we found a couple of blisters.  This winter she came out for some unscheduled maintenance and we found 3 more blisters.  A moisture mter should a evelated level of mositure throughout the hull and the yard recommened a full peeling.
Up until now I never heard of a peeling. From what I have learned so far it sounds like it takes the hull down to the fiberglass.  Thus allows the glass to dry and then put down a new barrier coat.
It is not a cheap process.
Has anyone had this done?    Thanks ahead of time Tony