BLISTER REPAIR

Fiberglass blisters occur because water passes through the gelcoat. Water soluble chemicals inside the laminate exert an osmotic pull on water outside, and some water molecules find a way through the gelcoat. As more water is attracted into the enclosed space, internal pressure builds. The water molecules aren't squirted back out the way they came in because they have combined with the attracting chemicals into a solution with a larger molecular structure. Instead, the pressure pushes the covering gelcoat into a dome-a blister. There has been a great deal of hysteria about blisters, but the reality is that the number of boats that develop serious blister problems is extremely small. An occasional blister or two is not a serious problem, any more than is an occasional gouge in the hull. Some boats seem to exhibit a greater propensity to blister, presumably due to the chemical components used and/or the layup schedule, but all boats are at some risk. Surveys suggest that about one boat in four develops blisters.

FILLING AND FAIRING

Filling

Filling is the application of a suitable filler product onto a rough, clean surface, to either fill a minor defect (spot fill) or to build a surface up to achieve a required profile. When spot filling, fillers should be applied with a filling knife or spatula. For large profile filling a wide filling knife or trowel is most efficient. Take care to use the correct amount of filler as the use of too much filler will require excessive time spent fairing. We recommend that you apply a number of layers of filler when filling deep holes or large areas as this will eliminate the chance of overfilling, or sagging on vertical surfaces. Filling should be carried out between coats, preferably primer coats, however, spot filling can be effectively carried out between undercoats. Oncethe filled area has cured fairing can be carried out. Fairing involves sanding the filled area and surrounding surface to an even profile.

Spot Fairing

Spot fairing is best carried out by hand using abrasive paper on a cork block.

Fairing large areas

Large areas can be faired with a range of tools. Rough fairing can initially be carried out using an angle grinder/belt sander with suitable grade discs, followed by a random orbital or orbital sander. Skill is required when using these tools to achieve a fair surface; it is often more successful to use a manual fairing board which, although slower, can produce a fairer surface.

GEL COAT

Gel coat forms the hard smooth outside surface of the hull and deck and waterproofs the porus structural laminates below. This gel coat kit and instructions are suitable for repairing scratches and chips in the gel coat where there is no damage to the underlying fiber laminate.

FIBERGLASS

Few things are more disheartening to the boat owner than staring at the fuzzy edge of broken fiberglass. However, the reparability of fiberglass is one of its best characteristics. The most horrifying hole in a fiberglass hull is quickly healed with a bit of glass fabric, a supply of resin, and equal parts skill and care. And the repair is less patch than graft-a new piece of skin indistinguishable from the old.

Fiberglass lay-up is nothing more than layers of glass fabric saturated with polyester (or epoxy) resin, yet most boat owners imagine a self-applied repair as only slightly more durable than a wet Band-Aid. This is a false concern. Follow a few simple rules and your lay-up will be just as durable as the rest of the boat.

REFIT

The refit work carried out within our workshop can be anything from the painting of a hull on a small sailing yacht to a complete overhaul which could include new decks, new interior or re-wiring. In fact, anything that is needed to bring your boat back to its original beautiful condition.