pitting in gelcoat

[jojosaw]

I have some pitting in the gelcoat, on my 92 pulse 171, pitting is only below the water line of the boat, what causes this, boat is for sale and potential buyers have asked about it! thanks for the help.

 

[groundloop]

When the words 'pitting' and 'gelcoat' are used in the same sentence you're usually talking about severe oxidation from exposure to the sun for many years. Doesn't sound like that's your issue.

Is it possible that the gelcoat has been chipped from impacting something hard / sharp? How large and how deep are the pits? Some photos would help.

In any case, since you described it as pitting and not gouges it sounds like it's only a cosmetic issue.

 

[a36pilot]

Has it sat in the water for long periods of time? I noticed small "pits" int the gel coat of another boat caused by osmosis or pox or blisters that only partially devoloped before popping/pitting the gel coat.

 

[jojosaw]

Yes a36pilot, That is exactly what it seems like, the previous(original) owner kept it in the water constantly, except for winter, and just below the water line looks like hundreds of "blisters". Is this bad?? how is it remedied? thanks.

 

[a36pilot]

The only real remidy is to entirely grind out the blisters and then re-gel the hull. I think what may happen is the blisters freeze over winter which further expands the gelcoat that is now very brittle from the cold and causes the gel to pop off where the gel was. However, the blisters are not structually any problem they are a cosmetic issue. That is untill they get to the point that they have delaminated and falling off totally.

Fair warning though, this can be an expensive repair if you have it done.