Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

[chrisss72]

Just bought a 1988 well craft. Should I wax it? If I wax it can I just leave the wax on without buffing it for longer life? Or, should I paint it. Im not concerned about preformance I just want to keep my hull nice. Boat is in fresh water may - sept. This applies only to the bottom and water line area of the boat.

Thanks,

Chris Erie pa

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

Wax and paint are apples and oranges. If you slip your boat and are in an area where things like to live on the hull, wax will do zero in the long run. Any wax you apply isn't going to last nearly long enough, or be useful enough, to prevent any growth.

Bottom paint works because it is either toxic to the critters that want to live on your hull, or the paint is thick enough it will flake off in layers if something does attach. (or most likely a combination of both ablative and chemical anti-fouling.) Wax is neither of those.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

If you leave it in the water for that amount of time then I would paint it. The paint will also help stop the fiberglass from absorbing water and protect against blisters.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

Just bought a 1988 well craft. Should I wax it? If I wax it can I just leave the wax on without buffing it for longer life? Or, should I paint it. Im not concerned about preformance I just want to keep my hull nice. Boat is in fresh water may - sept. This applies only to the bottom and water line area of the boat.

Thanks,

Chris Erie pa

Not enough info to fill out your survey. the things that would be of concern with seasonal slip or mooring of a boat are water penetration and marine growth build up.

So, is there an epoxy barrier coat on the hull already? Do you get a fair amount of marine growth in your area? If so, then maybe a high performance anti-fouling paint.

You can wax the top sides . . . waxing the hull will do no good, as it will come off fairly quickly.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

oops i need to change my vote. You don't wax bottoms (boat bottoms that is). Bottom paint based on your environment, use (in and out or permanent?) speed (hull v planing)

 

[Philster]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

The locals would know how to treat the bottom as far as paints, barriers, etc. Ask them. Sometimes, exactly what you do depends on what people know about the local water.

 

[shrew]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

Barrier coat and then paint. Use an ablative paint. There are some out there specifically for fresh water. use the paint manufacturers recommended barrier coat, and apply both the barrier coat and the bottom paint according to the manufacturers instructions for preparation, application method/conditions and to their thickness.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

QUOTE=shrew;3686413]Barrier coat and then paint. Use an ablative paint. There are some out there specifically for fresh water. use the paint manufacturers recommended barrier coat, and apply both the barrier coat and the bottom paint according to the manufacturers instructions for preparation, application method/conditions and to their thickness.[/QUOTE]

X2

 

[chrisss72]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

QUOTE=shrew;3686413]Barrier coat and then paint. Use an ablative paint. There are some out there specifically for fresh water. use the paint manufacturers recommended barrier coat, and apply both the barrier coat and the bottom paint according to the manufacturers instructions for preparation, application method/conditions and to their thickness.

X2[/QUOTE]

DO boat owners leave the boat in the water unpaointed and unwaxed then simple clean it each year? IF so, what are the long term effects? I was told blistering is a defect as the fiberglass is sprayed on not, because of the boat being slipped

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

IMO there is nothing wrong with leaving a fiberglass boat, unpainted, in the water, other than the marine growth issue. I have heard the discussions and although they seem convincing, I do not buy it. If the hull has defects or damage, that's different.

Some water will stain hulls and some people down't like that; to me it's a boat bottom so who cares. I don't understand why people care how a boat looks on a trailer.

Letting marine growth accumulate, then washing off, seems like a lot of work, and performance is affected untill you get it off. I guess it depends on how extensive the growth is; that would be a bad plan in salt water.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

X2

DO boat owners leave the boat in the water unpaointed and unwaxed then simple clean it each year? IF so, what are the long term effects? I was told blistering is a defect as the fiberglass is sprayed on not, because of the boat being slipped[/QUOTE]

Yes, alot of boaters leave there boat in all season and then clean at the end of season with no ill efects.Bottom paint just makes the process easier by helping to keep growth off.Blistering is just that a defect that can happen to any boat with or without bottom paint.

 

[chrisss72]

Re: Slips Kept Boats _ wax or paint?

Ok, im just painting and cleaning every year unless I have an issue with the underside of the bow. Thank for your info and help all.