Blisters

[Jim]

I recently became interested in Uniflite boats but have concerns
regarding the blistering problem. I am looking at a boat that has a
history of blistering. Does every post 1975 boat in warmer climates
suffer this problem? Are some boats affected more than others? Once
the boat receives a professional bottom job, how long before the
blistering problem reappears? I am in a very warm climate and the
blistering repairs seem quite pricey and involved so I'm not sure if I
want to face this problem. The seller indicates the boat had a bottom
job about a year ago and that it should be good for another 6- 8 years.
Any information would be appreciated.

[jb914]

Hi Jim,

i purchased a Uniflite a few months ago and had the same concerns.

The blistering problem with Uniflites was after 1976 thru 1980. you
can contact Padden marine with the hull # and they can confirm if the
boat you are looking at was produced during the problem years. That's
what i did with my 1975.

The blister problem was with the topside more than below the water
line. Below the waterline blisters can be problamatic with any boat of
the 70's 80's, not just Uniflite. you simply have to monitor it and
keep the bottom paint in good shape. I'm not an expert, but, 8 years
seems to be a long time between painting. I guess with exellent
cleaning and a excellent paint job it is possible.

regarding the topside blisters if the boat you have has been in warm
climate for a long time and has no history of topside blistering
problem or repairs i would suspect you are in good shape. Try and find
a surveyor that is familar with the topside blistering problem.

Good luck!

[MV Gizmo]

I bought a 1981 32' SS three years ago. There were numerous blisters,
primarily below the waterline, but still a few on the foredeck and some
on the sides of the cabin. Before purchasing, I took my surveryor -
who was also a good friend - to Canada to look at the boat. He took a
long time to look over most all of the blisters top and bottom. His
report was "cosmetic only, don't worry much about it." I, too, looked
at having them all repaired, but most yards said I didn't need to spend
that kind of money - leave 'em alone unless they get bigger was the
usual advice. Just have them inspected each time you do a haulout. I
have had zero problems, and the cosmetic problem of blisters on the
cabin sides doesn't bother me much at all. Just glad I have a Uni!
Dave

[hmatt...@netscape.com]

relative to blister repair on the bottom. I have a 1973/4 34 foot sedan bridge that I bought in 1991. It was blistered on the bottom but no where else. We had the bottom gel coat sanded off and allowed it to dry out for about 3 months and then it was repaired with several coats of a "apoxy tar"? material that I am not sure still exists. However it has held up perfectly over the past 15 years without a single blister showing up on the bottom. The boat is in the Pacific Northwest. Boats built in 1973 have for the most part not blistered above the waterline. However, this boat began to show small blisters on the back transom top and on the deck above the the v berth about two years ago. I believe that this was caused by too much power buffing with compound in an effort to get the shine back. We have since had the boat painted with Allgrip and it looks great. It has been my understanding having talked to several old time Uniflite employees that the blister boats started with the 1975 boats and pretty much ended with the 1981 boats but that there are some 1982 boats that have blistered because even though they knew the fire retardant was causing the problems, the fire retardant was still offered as an option in 1982 and some buyers bought the fire retardant option and paid extra for it. Hal

--- jco...@frontiernet.net wrote:

_____________________________________________________________
Netscape. Just the Net You Need.

[Jim]

Dave,

Thanks for the info, I am new to this problem so I wasn't sure how bad
it could be. I have heard varying reports of cost for repairs. Being
in a very warm climate where blistering is exacerbated, I don't want to
be investing too much money in the problem. Thanks again.

[Jim]

Thanks for the advice. The hull number info is great. There are
numerous Uniflites in the area so the surveyors should be sensitive to
this problem.

[gene schlaht]

I just bought a 1982 32' uniflite this last winter,and i also did some
researching and found that blisters are mostly cosmetic. I do have a couple
silver dollar sized blisters above waterline on hull, and lots of tiny
blisters all over exterior cabin sides and top areas. there has been
blisters repaired on the above waterline hull.I can see some large patches
that colors where blended in with original off white color of boat. color
difference is barely noticeable. Boats been boathouse kepted and in
excellent condition, with twin rebuild 454s. cant think of anything wrong
with this boat to ask about, "yet". ps: i love this boat :>}gene

[Jerry C]

I too bought a 1982 32' SS last year that doesn't have a single blister
anywhere!
There is for sure more issues during the '75 - '81 era in warm
climates. but have seen several boats in Southern California made
during those years offered for sale claiming no blisters. But if they
are only above the waterline, and merely cosmetic, it's not much of an
issue. Uniflites are a heavier duty built boat than most any other
that will provide years of service with proper care and maintenance.
Safe and sturdy, is more important than cosmetics.
Older uniflites are usually offered for very reasonable prices.
Compared to other boats of the same price, they usually will prove to
be a much better boat for the money.
In My Humble Opinion.
Jerry C
FamV...@bctonline.com