Hull Blistering

[jtracc]

Hey guys have a 2013 z118 I picked up last fall with very low hours. Im Hearing about this hull blistering and don't want this to happen. I ordered a set of caliber marine slides to pace on the bunks to help drain water. You guys think this will help?

[cfm56doc]

From what I undrstand this is not an issue on your boat (btw I have the same year and model boat). I forget what year, but prior to your year, Ranger added some sort of water barrier to the manufacturing process to prevent the blistering.

[FireBassr]

Won't be an issue on your boat.

[mikesxpress]

Barrier coating addition "assists" in the prevention of hull blisters.
It does not prevent it.

Many other boat MFG have been using a barrier coat of some type for many years. Ranger's recent addition of the barrier coating will definitely help the cause but wet bunks and the gelcoat we have is still an issue. And the warranty is still the same with no coverage for blistering.

[Ranger519VS]

Took my boat off the trailer a couple of weeks ago to fix some gouges on the pad area. Guess what, found under the outer starboard bunk (the short one) a mass of small blisters on the hull the whole length of the bunk. Found one blister on the hull under the starboard main bunk. No blisters on the port side at all. Must have skimped on the barrier coat on the starboard side.

[mikesxpress]

Must have skimped on the barrier coat on the starboard side.

Butch post a couple pictures please. Allot of folks bought into the barrier coat fixes it nonsense. Best to hang it out there with photos so this rumor goes away.
Bottom line is if the bunks stay wet for extended periods you will get blistering.

[TritonJT]

Took my boat off the trailer a couple of weeks ago to fix some gouges on the pad area. Guess what, found under the outer starboard bunk (the short one) a mass of small blisters on the hull the whole length of the bunk. Found one blister on the hull under the starboard main bunk. No blisters on the port side at all. Must have skimped on the barrier coat on the starboard side.

Think yours​ was built before barrier coat.

[jtracc]

Well, I'm gonna give these things a try. It should be just enough space to allow air flow and avoid the hull sitting on wet bunks. Also will help the boat slid off and on with more ease. I do launch in crappy ramps a lot so this should help as well. I was looking at the full plastic bunk covers, however, they are just too expensive here in Canada and no local shops have them. So I found a set of these bunk slides on Amazon for a decent price. I will try them out this spring and let everyone know how they work.

[Ranger519VS]

Think yours​ was built before barrier coat.

I was told that barrier coat started in 2010.

[Ranger519VS]

Butch post a couple pictures please. Allot of folks bought into the barrier coat fixes it nonsense. Best to hang it out there with photos so this rumor goes away.
Bottom line is if the bunks stay wet for extended periods you will get blistering.

I have already sanded them down. They were kind of slight that they sanded away without going thru the gell coat. I have been researching the best way to repair and what to use for redoing the barrier. The best I have found is to sand all the gel coat off down to the fiberglass and then lay down either a layer of West system epoxy or vinyl ester resin and then finish off by recoating with polyester gel to match the original finish. I am just waiting for some warmer weather right now so things will cure properly.

[SmlRanger]

its def an issue on my boat, whole bottom is COVERED in em! im talking thousands

[mikesxpress]

Mark do you have pictures?

[Tromanoski]

Think yours​ was built before barrier coat.

Ranger told me they started in 2010.

[bassbama]

Ranger told me they started in 2010.

Boat may have been built in 2010 and titled a 2011 or Ranger was generalizing when they gave you that year. If we hear of a 2012 or beyond with issues then we know for sure the barrier coat has problems. As Mike said though the barrier coat is a preventative measure so a check of your hull if the opportunity arises would be worth the effort.

[SmlRanger]

The whole bottom of my boat is covered in these. Previous owner kept it in the water at his dock

[Super 91]

Ouch! Wow, that is terrible!

[mikesxpress]

Thanks Mark. I will add that to my collection.

[Chris M]

Mine is a 2000 that is covered in blisters. I'll have to take of them when I get home.

[rangerbobber]

Mine is a 2000 that is covered in blisters. I'll have to take of them when I get home.

Why don't you have someone take it to Flippin for you and it will be done when you get home, they had mine about 6 weeks......

[cwilt]

The whole bottom of my boat is covered in these. Previous owner kept it in the water at his dock

Wow! Only a matter of time till they pop. I have them under my bunks and some popped already. I filled them with marine tex as a temp solution to keep using the boat. I am going to take my boat to a highly recommend shop down here soon to re do the bottom of my boat. Good luck.