Hi Everyone,
Blistering or osmosis has been the bain of my life in previous boats, both manufactured in the 80's.
In what year did Catalina start using Vinylester gelcoat instead of polyester to combat osmosis and reduce water ingression to the laminate?
The reason I'm asking is to hopefully identify what year of C36 to look at for purchase. I don't want to ever work on another blistered hull again, if possible!
—
Alan Brookes
Swanson 32
Koombana Bay
Western Australia
I think it was 1995
Mike Ogline
SHADOW #1831
2000 SR/WK
Deltaville - Chesapeake Bay
I don't know the answer to your question, but my 1997 blistered the first year. Catalina covered the job 100% under warranty, including a new barrier coat.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
FWIW, my 1999 model has the vinylester and we have never seen a blister. The boat is in warm, salt water all year.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Excellent feedback, thanyou.
I'll be looking later in the year for a 2002 or 2003 C36 so all seems to point to a good chance of not having to deal with osmosis in those later models.
A mate mine here has a Catalina 310 which has a beautiful unblemished bottom ( ladies, we guys notice these sort of things!);)
Alan Brookes
Swanson 32
Koombana Bay
Western Australia
My hull was laid in '98 and it has a vinyl ester bottom. Blisters have still occurred, but they are not in the hull. They are between the bottom and the bottom coat VC-17 in fresh water. My son's hull, 2yrs old, has the same problems. It has been caused by the failure to use a specified barrier coat. Turns out that the blisters are between the bottom paint and the vinyl ester, so are not true blisters. They are easily sanded off. Of course the fix is to apply the appropriate barrier coat, then the bottom paint.
What may seem like blisters in the gel coat may not be actual blisters in the fiberglass. Again, my hull was laid in 1998 and it does have a vinyl ester coat.