Hi Andrei, fresh water is much more adept at getting behind unprotected gel coat and creating blisters than salt water. After repairing a bunch on my M-17 I would not leave the boat in the water (or salt) without a barrier coat. We had a power boat in the water every summer in MI and never had bottom paint. Just left a light brown stain. I am not an expert but I would consider at least barrier coat. The Interlux I used (2000e?)was not terribly expensive. Practical Sailor has a great article this month about bottom paint. Might be worth looking at. I also grew weary of rigging and launching my boat and now keep it at a slip so I can use it more.
Robbin Andrei Caldararu wrote: > Howard and Bill, > > The one thing I am most afraid of is not fresh water slime, but > gelcoat blisters. Indeed the sailing season here is May-mid October, > so 5.5 months. Is the issue with gelcoat blisters mostly from saltwater? > > Just a dinghy with a set of oars probably won't do: the mooring is > about 800 feet away from the ramp where I can get in the water in a > public spot, and I don't want to bother my friend by going through his > back yard every time I want to go sailing. Or would it? I was thinking > perhaps a canoe instead, so I could also enjoy it by itself. > > Thanks, Andrei. > > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > > _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
