Fiberglass osmosis.....

[Duckwheat]

What is fiberglass osmosis? I see it referenced in regards to buying used sailboats. Apparently you do not want it.

The blisters that some fiberglass boats get. Are they bad in a structural way or purely cosmetics?

Thanks in advance.

Duckwheat

[pugetplunker]

i just googled fiberglass osmosis and got alot of good info :D

[Rubber Boot]

Worked for a company that actually went TU over this. In short, H20 passes through the fibeglass lamiate and reacts with the chemicals in the resin. Most manufactures have switched to a vinal ester resin under the gelcoat that has solved the blistering problem. Very ugly, would slow your boat down from the drag, but does not affect the structure of the laminate.

[cutbait]

osmosis blisters will cause delamination of the fiberglass, i'm currently working on a 56 with some bad ones. Must be ground out till you get to good glass.:twocents: