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September - October 2018
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boatingonthehudson.com
Store your boat dry; protect it from damaging dampness. Ventilate it! Before
you cover it or have it shrink wrapped remove anything wet or damp such as
soggy lines, ski vests, towels, etc! Take time to clean it out! Dampness and shrink
wrap combined can create a greenhouse effect. We have also seen damp fabrics
bleed color on to the upholstery and stains from pine needles and leaves. Clean
and vacuum out the boat – it’ll smell better next season and you will avoid the
possibility of rotting wood and staining on your seating, carpet and gelcoat.
Take the time to care for your investment! Before it is stored away clean, restore
and protect it! Doing it now will reduce the time you’ll need to spend cleaning the
boat in the springtime or whenever you intend using it again!
“I have some damage on my 2003 Checkmate. It is in mint condition
other than a scratch on the side. The scratch goes through two
colors of gelcoat, yellow and white. I have seen repairs on other
boats that look horrific. Can a patch repair be done that will not be
noticeable?”--- Michael T.
Yes, absolutely a repair can be done and not be visible. In your situation
because the scratch is going through two colors, it would be in your best interest
to have the repair done right the first time by a professional. There is a lot one
needs to know to do a successful repair.
It requires using the appropriate materials and application process from start
to finish. This means grinding method, fillers, accurate and fresh gelcoat colors,
correct gelcoat mixing techniques, proper spraying equipment and modus
operandi ☺. When a two gelcoat color repair is done properly the finished product
should be unnoticeable and at the proper level. You don’t want to see or feel a
ridge between the two colors. If you can see a repair it’s called a “patch” I do
repairs not patches.
Looking for another boat? Don’t be “Taken for a ride”
“I recently purchased a nice looking, freshly painted run-a bout . The very first
time I used the boat the engine started to wobble. I stopped the boat and noticed
a huge crack running from one side of the transom to the other through the
bottom engine mounting bolt holes. The boat began taking on water. My family
moved from the back of the boat forward into the open bow area in an attempt
to keep the crack above the water line. I put my family in danger by unknowingly
buying a piece of junk. Is there anything I can do to repair the transom?” from PA
Hopefully you did not spend a lot of money for this boat. I would suggest you
contact the seller and see if you could get
your money back. It’s a stretch but worth a try.
We are seeing more and more people being
taken for a ride. You are not alone; we get
calls all the time from boat buyers in similar situations. You could have had
a catastrophic event with your family on board! There are people out there
off loading headaches onto unsuspecting boat buyers. There should be a law
against this.
Your boat certainly sounds like it has a major rotted transom in order for a
crack like that to happen. The first thing you want to do before you spend
another nickel on the boat is to check the rest of the structure for soundness
e.g. stringers, floor, etc. If the transom is as rotted as it sounds it’s likely there is
rot in the stringers and floor. Sell it for parts. If the rot has not gone into the floor
and stingers the transom can be repaired. Take your boat to a reputable boat
repair facility or marine surveyor to determine whether or not it’s worth fixing.
Anything can be fixed; it is just a matter of if it is worth the investment.
Buyer Beware! Do your homework; be wary of boats sold on the internet! We
have spoken to many
many people who got
taken for a ride on a
purchase! Try to buy
from someone local or
at a marine dealer. Ask
for engine compression
test. Have the boat
surveyed
by
an
accredited
marine
surveyor or reputable
fiberglass repairer.
Bottom Paint
Removal
Thinking about removing the ugly peeling and heavy layers of bottom paint
on your boat? Hire a competent company to do the work! Be sure they use the
right blasting media!
We have written many articles about soda blasting and how to protect a hull;
it’s a significant topic and worth repeating especially for new boat owners or
those that missed previous articles.
I recently received a call from Dennis M. from the Boston, MA area who took
Osmotic
blisters
caused by
wet trailer
bunks
Result of water intrusion is delamination of Gelcoat.
Protecting the Gelcoat will help to avoid this!