Bottom Job Emergency

[Scheherazade]

WOW everybody

I can't express my gratitude for the support and advice you have given me in the last day! I am in Little Rock. I'm not sure if I can tell everybody who did the work without getting sued for slander, but let's just say that it was the owner of the marina on Lake Maumelle that was contracted to do the work and is now stalling me. If you're from here, that should be enough to know. I had originally requested that the work described by Hoosier Kevin be done on the boat, as it was being transported from DeGray to Greers Ferry Lake via Lake Maumelle - I figured as long as it was out, I might as well get the work done. I expected the work to last at least 5 years. During the month the boat was out of the water, the description of the work to be done changed everytime I talked with this man on the phone. I thought he was just a little scatter-brained, but I suspect it's more than that now. Last I spoke with him, he seemed to want to blame me by stating that I wanted to go "cheap" and that's what he gave me. I think he knew I was naive about what was needed to be done and thought he could get away with a crappy job. Oh well, what's done is done...Now, does anyone know a Lawyer who sails and is knowledgeable of boats? I don't want this guy to be able to slick-talk his way out of this.Next, does anyone know someone with a trailer that will hold a 28' boat in Central Arkansas? Is the person in NLR named Hunter? I'll need a contact for the contractor here in central AR.Lastly, I'm honored to live in the same area as Peggy. I've read around on the posts for awhile, but this is my first time posting - I've never had a problem before - and have learned a lot from the conversations. If you could spare a few hours of this Saturday or Sunday, I'm at Heber Springs Marina and known to Greg as "Pigtail Jenny" - he's been making me a pigtail for the shorepower. I can try to find a marine camera to get some pics and would like to have someone who knows what they're looking at along with me.Once again...Thank you everyone! You have inspired me to act on this with conviction and resolve. By the way, Scheherazade is the name of my boat. My name is Jennifer Tanner-Beck. I'll keep posting as this situation unfolds....

 

[Scheherazade]

HeadMistress

Hi Peggy, I can't find you in the Directory. I'm in there now, so if you would like to meet me in Heber, send me an email. Thanks again! Jennifer Tanner-Beck

 

[Patti]

Scheherazade and Peggy

Jenny, I also have an older vessel and will be getting a bottom coat job (strip and such) from our marina this year. We have had some work done i.e. roller furling, and such installed before and minor engine repairs. It is a "boatyard" and usually the only problem is next week means in 2 months. Actually we had som hurricane damage last year and did a great job in getting a match of gelcoat for a 1974 boat. However, I think now I may actually look at getting a contract for the bottom paint et el, after reading of your plight. Thanks to you and Peggy. Remember, when life hands you a lemon, make lemonade....and sell it to people like me who can also take learn.Hope all goes well and keep us all in touch as to what is happening.

 

[Capt. Sid]

OMG what a nightmare!!

Scherazade, You are getting a lot of good advice here from lots of people you don't know. Listen to Peggy, she is knowledgable about boats and is a published author. My 2 cents, get your boat out of the water ASAP. Hire a surveyor or a marine repair specialist to document your repair difficulties and then demand your money back by certified mail followed by a small claims summons. You will win, and your boat can be fixed. You could even do it yourself for a lot less than 2000 dollars. I know becuase I have done it.

 

[RichH]

First, go to this website ......

www.yachtsurvey.com This is the website of the famous surveyor and author David Pescoe. Failed 'bottom jobs' are common but many times require o nly a simple remedy or correction. Look on the right hand side of the website and locate the appropriate subject/article. If you rush out and get a lawyer you're into an adversarial situation ... and no one usually wins in such cases, 'cept the shysters.It is quite possible/probable that the 'problem' is due to an 'amine blush' which forms on the surface when an epoxy barrier coat cures. Acetone is the remedy to remove the blush. Perhaps the workers didnt wash properly with acetone before applying the bottom paint. there are other 'chemical' incompatibility possibilities. Obviously there is an adhesion failure possibly due to the 'amine blush'. There is NO immediate need to drastically haul the boat, seek a lawyer and wring your hands. Have the person who did the job, explain the remedy/correction and timing with completion date. Get something in writing, etc. Keep smiling ... it works better than a grimace. Most of the replies about catastrophic impending failure .... simply dead WRONG and certainly not based on expertise, or working knowledge of fiberglass composite structures, etc. ..... And certainly IGNORE all the unknowledgable doomsayers and fiberglassed chicken-littles. If after all prudent (and timely) remediation fails, ..... then consider to engage a shyster. Keep recoreds and pictures, etc.hope this helps.;o)

 

[Neal]

fiberglassed chicken-littles.....

Working knowledge of fiberglass composite structures, that is an interesting concept since the boat manufactures are not for sure why some boats will develop blisters and others will not. Same molds, same resin, same workers etc.Actually from reading info on this tread anybody would be guessing what the problem is. And probably looking at the boat would still be guessing. What type of bottom paint?- modified epoxy? copolymer? ablative? thin film? sloughing? vinyl? What type of hull paint? one part? two part epoxy? enamel? Did he even use a marine paint? Was there a barrier coat? How thick was the gel coat? 1mm to 25mm? Was there other damage to the hull besides blisters? was the blister surface blister below the gelcoat? or was they deep blisters between the layers? what type of fiberglass resin was used? epoxy or polyester? What type of core material was used? What type of binder? I cant answer all these questions about my own boat.Acetone/mek/solvent wash/dewaxer should be used not only for mold release wax but also for silcone, oil and dirt. I personally dont use acetone because it evaporates too quickly. As for the barrier coat, I put it on my boat because it was cheaper than regular epoxy primer. Interprotect 2000e-$79.99 gal vs. Interlux 404/414 epoxy primekote at $97.99 gal. Above water line of 2 coats needed..below waterline 5-6 coats neededbut thats my non-expert view.

 

[Neal]

Sailing lawyers

Theres is a sailboat at Eden Isle Marina called The Plantiff Rests, its owned by a husband/wife team of lawyers. Dont remember thier names but the marina can tell you.The fiberglass person...Is named john...cant find his number but his shop is located in a quonset hut between Nlr home depot and north point ford. Will try to find his number if you like.Neal

 

[Scheherazade]

Neal, I've seen the hut

in North Little Rock. I'm not sure if it's the same guy I talked with that had restored an older Cheoy Lee, but I'll be stopping by to talk with him as soon as I can. If you find his number, let me know. I'm also looking for an underwater camera so I can go this weekend and document the condition of the hull so far.BTW, I have looked into amine blush...RichH -"the 'problem' is due to an 'amine blush' which forms on the surface when an epoxy barrier coat cures"...except that I'm not convinced there was an epoxy barrier coat applied to the bottom...it wasn't out long enough and if he did put one on, I got a heck of a deal on the price don't you think?Thanks for the advice, but to be on the safe side, I'm going to document the damage and have it pulled out to dry out...and then I'll go from there...