Hi,

I hope it is OK to ask a repair question here.


I have a friend who is considering buying a boat, and has asked me to give
"expert" advice. We are looking at an Andersson-23 (English, heavy GRP
construction from the early 80's). It does look acceptable for the low
price, except for one detail, which I can not judge.

On the side, well above the waterline, there is an old scar, about the size
of a fingerprint. Around that are fine hairline cracks in a circular
pattern, something line 15 cm (6") wide. I suspect there has been some sort
of impact damage, the gel coat was damaged, and water has started to enter.

I am wondering how seriously I should worry about this blister? Will it sink
the boat this summer? Will it get worse and worse, and destroy the whole
boat in a few years? Or can I treat it as a cosmetic problem, and sail
happily for years without worrying about it?

We have got the boat offered at a pretty low price from the previous owner
(family of my friend) whose wife don't like sailing. The boat has not been
in water last season, and seen pretty little use the season before that.
The owner does not remember seeing this scar before, so it may be a new
development (the boat has been moved around a few times during the last two
years, further and further back on the winter storage area).

Any serious comments would be appreciated

Heikki Levanto
Copenhagen, Denmark