Powerboat Hull Maintenance

Washing down fiberglass surfaces with a mop, brush and fresh water, will go a long way toward keeping your topsides, deck and superstructure looking really good. An occasional waxing and buffing out will complete the maintenance cycle. However, any hull damage such as deep gouges or cracks, is best left to a professional.

If you are going to leave your boat in the water for more than a few days at a time, you should seriously consider covering the hull bottom with antifouling paint. Always, clean the bottom of your boat as soon as it comes out of the water. If you don't and the accumulated slime dries, it will take on the properties of cement and you then have a huge job ahead to remove it.

The cleats, rails and other hardware should get a coat of wax now and then to keep them looking brand new.

Some people just love the look, feel and smell of wood on a boat. There are not many things more beautiful than well-maintained bright work. The major problem with wood is a fungus growth called dry rot. This can happen in any raw wood (except teak) that is exposed to fresh water and then exposed to air over and over and over again. The fungus will grow in any temperature over 40°. Leaks from rainwater are the main culprit. To check for rot, tap the wood with a screwdriver handle or a small hammer. Good wood when tapped will have a sort of ping to it. Wood with dry rot will sound more like a dull thud. Dry rot must be taken care of immediately because it can spread quite quickly.

Aluminum is a great material for use for hull construction. It won't rot, it's very resistant to cracking and it forms its own protective coat of oxidation.

The biggest problem with aluminum is galvanic corrosion. When placed in water (especially salt water), near another type of metal, aluminum will turn itself into a battery and quickly corrode. So in order to prevent this from happening, bare aluminum must be covered with a special barrier coat before paint is applied. Most bottom paints contain high amounts of copper and cannot be used on an aluminum hull. There are bottom paints especially designed for use on aluminum hulls.


RESOURCES:

WWW.BOATINGLIFEMAG.COM
WWW.POWERBOAT.ORG
WWW.FORMULABOATS.COM
WWW.SIMPLEBOATING.COM