Have yet to sail, and are in the process of verifying operation of all components as she has been in the water for 10 years straight. Have built a trailer for it and works very well. This is a fin keel configuration, and of course needs her belly redone and coated, the hull is in great shape, but needs a good sanding, sealing and coating. Can anyone recommend the best system for this underwater area? Also, the best method for improving the above waterline area? Paint is good, just needs a little TLC and a good wax job, she is in remarkable shape but has not been out for a couple of years, just sitting in the slip ! Thanks all advise will be appreciated
We are the proud owners of a '84 Hunter 25.5 !
- Thread starter RockynHilda
- Start date
Congratulations on your new boat and welcome to the forum!!
Bottom antifouling paint.........suggest finding out what paint you have on there now and what paint you plan to apply after checking with other boaters / bottom hull cleaners in your area as that will impact whether you sand only OR remove all the antifouling paint prior to applying new antifouling paint. Consider 2 coats minimum.
Above waterline........do you have paint or simply gel coat? To improve depends on whether you have oxidation or not. If you do. then wet sand with 1000+ grit, compound, then wax and buff. More detail can be provided on this procedure. If not, then wax and buff. Also remove any rust and polish the stainless steel.
This is where I always start with a new boat.
Bottom antifouling paint.........suggest finding out what paint you have on there now and what paint you plan to apply after checking with other boaters / bottom hull cleaners in your area as that will impact whether you sand only OR remove all the antifouling paint prior to applying new antifouling paint. Consider 2 coats minimum.
Above waterline........do you have paint or simply gel coat? To improve depends on whether you have oxidation or not. If you do. then wet sand with 1000+ grit, compound, then wax and buff. More detail can be provided on this procedure. If not, then wax and buff. Also remove any rust and polish the stainless steel.
This is where I always start with a new boat.
Thank you, Stainless is in good shape everywhere, there seems to be some hazing on the stripe at top but wipes away easily, the bottom coat is mostly gone, boat was powerwashed after coming out due to the zebra mussel buildup, so a good sanding at least, but have been told that a good sealer is best to apply 1st then a good couple if not more of antifouling paint, Interlux 2000 was recommended. Thank you for the response.
Have reconfigured trailer somewhat since this picture, and have boat in shop on stanchions for bottom work, which you can see is definitely needed, this is after the powerwash removal of mussels! Dock mate who assisted in takin 'er out, said the hull looked really good since it has been sitting the lake for over 10 yrs, but needs some rework !
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Those zebra mussels really are a problem as you can see by this picture, they are not good for a slick finish for sailing, but the antifouling coating would alleviate that I am sure, she's been neglected as buildup indicates !
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Yes Sealer and agree multiple coats will be required just to slick 'er up before the antifouling coatings .
A 46' er otta be a mansion compared to a 25.5, but am growing from a Vagabond 14' er (which I have owned for about 30 years and is still in great shape) with no cabin to one with a cabin, which my wife appreciates, big time!
You may already know this but the barrier coat protects the hull and keep from moisture damage and mitigates galvanic corrosion of the keel as I understand. Check with others in the area on how many barrier epoxy coats you need. The hull and keel need to be dry prior to applying the barrier coat. The yard applied 7 coats on my Huntet 46 keel after sanding it down to bare metal after the barrier coat failed due to lack of maintenance by the seller. AND be sure to bottom clean the hull, keel, prop, shaft and knot meter wheel and inspect/replace since routinely. I have this done every 3 months in the SF Bay.
I know the lake as that is where my wife got her scuba open water dive certification.
good advice, she is sitting inside my shop at present and should be totally dry by the time I get all sanding and prepping done for sealer, one fella at the lake said he was applying 5 coats of sealer and 3 coats of anti fouling paint to his boat, discussed with him while mine was being powerwashed. Thank you for the info
I have been diving in Canyon also, I have been certified since I was 14, and am almost 64 now, really nice lake for diving!
Happy wife......happy life........my wife chose the 46 after owning a Huntet 31 for a year then a Hunter 386 for 8 years.
Amen Brother Very True, Happy Wife is a Happier Life ! My wife is not a good swimmer but can swim, but that little sailboat the Vagabond 14, is like flying a small plane or helicopter, you really have to sail it or your Wet ! Gusts can send you in, if your not paying attention, I have never done that with her with me, but pushing the limit, I laid it over when my sons and I were in it, and it was our 1st time out, a long time ago ! Never got the sails wet since, but this 25.5 should be much more stable for her to relax better. I don't reckon we'll have the Hunter on the ocean, but there are some good lakes here in Texas and we have a cabin near Broken Bow Reservoir in Oklahoma, so I expect we'll have the Hunter there mostly, beautiful lake as well !
I had a Hunter 25.5 when I lived there. I was a member of LCYC. Good sailing boat. Pretty fast. I used ablative bottom paint.