Hi, my wife has a full carbon Allwave Vanguard Outrigger canoe.

It is only about 12 months old and we have just removed the cover after being stored for the winter to find an extensive 'roughness' on the gel coat - like tiny bubbles, really course to the touch. Also in places, there is visible bubbling, see picture.

She has only over used plain water to clean it (after ever use) and 'Car Plan bumper shine' to polish it, which was recommended by the seller.
It has been stored in a nylon sock and not come into contact with any chemicals. There was no problem when it was last used in October/early November - could frost have damaged it?

Firstly, can you suggest what might have caused the problem, and secondly what products do I need to repair it. I specifically want to know if I need to colour the gel coat (the boat has a multi-colour design!!) or will I be able to just sand away the bubbles and re-coat it with clear gel.


(The darker lines are reflection of trees)

It does look like potentially water damage, perhaps osmosis as suggested.  Ensure the boat is fully dried out before repairing.  A relatively simple gelcoat repair then sand and polish to match as described above will be whats needed.

If the damage is under stickers. you will probably need to peel them off and replace with new once the repair has been done.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

I've had this before, it looks like early osmosis but it maybe something else unknown.

Thanks for your replies,

ChrisR, unfortunately bringing it indoors is not an option being 7.5m (23ft) long, although I am trying to find a secure barn or such like to rent some space, so I may have to wait for the warmer weather for it to dry out properly.

Since my first post I've noticed that the bubbling is not around the open cockpit area but only around each of the bulkheads, which are sealed except for a small bung. Removing the bung revealed that both bulkheads are very wet inside (although no water seems to be flowing around in them), but there is crystalised salt inside - the previous owner used the boat on the sea. I'm leaving the bungs out but they are very small so will take a long time to dry out, would it be better to wash them out with fresh water first or just leave them to dry?

Interesting what you say about not storing it in a sock - it has been stored outside on tressles, upside down so water has not collected in it, but the nylon sock has been repeatedly wet and dried with the weather, so I this wont have helped. I will do as you suggest and remove the sock and if I can't get storage I will make something like an open ended poly-tunnel.

Warren, how easy is it to match the colour (white)?