I am in the process of purchasing a Hunter 25 and have been researching the warranties on this site in the archives. I came across a post stating Hunters hull warranty. At the end it states: The following circumstances will void the bottom blister limited warranty: (1) If the gel-coat has been sanded, sandblasted, or subjected to abrasion or impact. (2) If the instructions provided in the Hunter Owner's Manual are not followed according to Hunter's required bottom preparation procedures. I have been getting quotes for a bottom job and mentioned that it is a brand new boat that has never been painted. All 3 of the places I talked to said the bottom had to be sanded before being painted and 2 of the places said I should have an expoxy barrier coat put on the 1st time and then paint over that. They said if they didn't sand first the bottom wouldn't adhere and stay on. My boat will be kept in salt water (Cocoa Beach, FL) and trailered occasionally. What is the proper way to prep and paint the hull to provide the best protection and maintain the warranty. I don't have the owners manual to refer as I have not yet closed on the boat. I contacted Hunter and learned that the warranty on the boat is really 1 year with 5 on the hull against blisters and hull structure but nothing else. Any help appreciated! Thanks!
Bottom Paint and Hull Warranty
- Thread starter ScottCocoaBeach
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They allow sanding with an epoxy barrier.
Scott: I think that you should call them and get the offical scoop. If you are applying an epoxy barrier (good idea) they sanding issue is NOT an issue. I would ask the specifically what they do if you sand for bottom paint only.
Scott: I think that you should call them and get the offical scoop. If you are applying an epoxy barrier (good idea) they sanding issue is NOT an issue. I would ask the specifically what they do if you sand for bottom paint only.
Bottom paint
Scott, Here is what I received directly from Hunter on that question. Attached is a copy of the application procedure for bottom painting from Pettit Paints, we use the Sandless Primer method and use the Trinadad 1275, you might visit their web site at http://www.pettitpaint.com/catalog_browse.asp and see what they recommend using in your area. Thanks, Don Martin Hunter Marine Customer Service customerservice@huntermarine.com
Scott, Here is what I received directly from Hunter on that question. Attached is a copy of the application procedure for bottom painting from Pettit Paints, we use the Sandless Primer method and use the Trinadad 1275, you might visit their web site at http://www.pettitpaint.com/catalog_browse.asp and see what they recommend using in your area. Thanks, Don Martin Hunter Marine Customer Service customerservice@huntermarine.com
Good Luck!
Scott, I to was concerned about the warranty and had my dealer follow the Hunter / Pettit procedure to the letter. Result? > I had so much bottom paint sluffing off by the end of the first season that I thought I was going to have to file an environmental impact statement and my buddies could track my progress by the paint trail! Following Spring I pressure washed off the remaining paint, sanded, barrier coated and then applied the bottom paint...not a flake or chip to date. Just my 2cents.
Scott, I to was concerned about the warranty and had my dealer follow the Hunter / Pettit procedure to the letter. Result? > I had so much bottom paint sluffing off by the end of the first season that I thought I was going to have to file an environmental impact statement and my buddies could track my progress by the paint trail! Following Spring I pressure washed off the remaining paint, sanded, barrier coated and then applied the bottom paint...not a flake or chip to date. Just my 2cents.
Sand and Epoxy the Bottom ..................
.......... immediately, or you will go mad. I went through the same thing as MKing for the first four years on our new 1999 H310 and lost approximately 1/3 of the bottom coat each year. Went crazy patching it up each year as the barnacles set up home on the sloughed off areas. Decided to sand off all the remaining bottom paint in the fourth year and the mess was worse than an Iraqi bombing. My decks were stained blue from the sanding dust and it took a week of cut polishing to finally clean up the mess. Two other boats near me also complained about the blue staining and I had to help them with their clean up. Once the bottom was epoxied, I have never had any problem with sloughing and I have the confidence of knowing that I am as protected against blisters as long as can reasonably be expected. Without epoxy, once the Hunter 5 year warranty is over, you're on your own. On my next new boat (in my next life), sanding with #80 grit and epoxy will be the mandaroty hull preparation. Best regards, s/v Island Hunter
.......... immediately, or you will go mad. I went through the same thing as MKing for the first four years on our new 1999 H310 and lost approximately 1/3 of the bottom coat each year. Went crazy patching it up each year as the barnacles set up home on the sloughed off areas. Decided to sand off all the remaining bottom paint in the fourth year and the mess was worse than an Iraqi bombing. My decks were stained blue from the sanding dust and it took a week of cut polishing to finally clean up the mess. Two other boats near me also complained about the blue staining and I had to help them with their clean up. Once the bottom was epoxied, I have never had any problem with sloughing and I have the confidence of knowing that I am as protected against blisters as long as can reasonably be expected. Without epoxy, once the Hunter 5 year warranty is over, you're on your own. On my next new boat (in my next life), sanding with #80 grit and epoxy will be the mandaroty hull preparation. Best regards, s/v Island Hunter
Speaking from experience…
Forget the warranty and preempt the problem before it occurs. I wouldn’t put bottom paint on a new boat unless I had a barrier coat on first. Bottom paint is not a barrier coat. My H26 developed small blisters it’s third year. The dealer (and HunterMarine) was very good about fixing the problem (about 12 square feet on one side). It’s sixth year, they were back – most everywhere, including the area that was repaired. I ground them out and let the hull dry for a year (I have another boat to play with). Then used Interlux 2000. It takes 5 coats, but it’s like putting a epoxy coating on the hull.(wait, it is an epoxy coating.) Then the bottom paint. No sign of blisters since, and I don’t expect to see them ever again. Most difficult part is removing the swing keel – and it’s not that bad.
Forget the warranty and preempt the problem before it occurs. I wouldn’t put bottom paint on a new boat unless I had a barrier coat on first. Bottom paint is not a barrier coat. My H26 developed small blisters it’s third year. The dealer (and HunterMarine) was very good about fixing the problem (about 12 square feet on one side). It’s sixth year, they were back – most everywhere, including the area that was repaired. I ground them out and let the hull dry for a year (I have another boat to play with). Then used Interlux 2000. It takes 5 coats, but it’s like putting a epoxy coating on the hull.(wait, it is an epoxy coating.) Then the bottom paint. No sign of blisters since, and I don’t expect to see them ever again. Most difficult part is removing the swing keel – and it’s not that bad.
Epoxy It Is
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I think I will definitely go with the epoxy barrier coat followed by the paint. I want the least amount of issues and it sounds like this will provide the best protection over time.
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I think I will definitely go with the epoxy barrier coat followed by the paint. I want the least amount of issues and it sounds like this will provide the best protection over time.
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