On a NEW Benteau 331 is it "wise" to have the hull below water line painted with epoxy. My dealer recommends and says they do this to all new Beneteaus before commisioning Question is: Is this really necessary and does it extend the life of the hull. ie. prevent blisters, osmosis, etc. I realize the hull comes with a 5-year guarantee, but .... If this was really needed, why wouldn't it be done at the factory vs. dealer. Sounds to me like a way for the dealer to make some extra bucks, bu if it really helps extend life of the hull maybe worth it. Any comments/advice would be appreciated.
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Mostly helpfull..
..in preventing osmotic blisters in future , especially if you keep your boat 1. in water all year around 2. in warm ( water) area. It is best done when boat new ,BEFORE prolonged time in water. Some good -and by now well known- procedures and materials can prevent -or at least delay for many years the osmotic blistering- at building stage ; however the buyer cannot get to all ( and many) small details of that. Building the hulls in controled ( air-conditioned dry, warm and clean enviroment) enviroment , and using venylester in outer layers is very good , but not the whole story . The best prevention for the buyer , is a proffesional done epoxy multi-layers thick barrier coat ( but often can be self applied by owner , strictlly following the instruction), from a good reputation company . Since blistering to occur it need-eventually- water , this coating prevent water to contact the laminates in hull for many years ,( from my and others experience , a decade or two..)but has to be kept intact -or repaired if damaged-, and prevent water comming in from inside-bilges- as well. However , if it is a new boat , and you keep it for few years only ( and you want to save money..)you probably needn't worry..
..in preventing osmotic blisters in future , especially if you keep your boat 1. in water all year around 2. in warm ( water) area. It is best done when boat new ,BEFORE prolonged time in water. Some good -and by now well known- procedures and materials can prevent -or at least delay for many years the osmotic blistering- at building stage ; however the buyer cannot get to all ( and many) small details of that. Building the hulls in controled ( air-conditioned dry, warm and clean enviroment) enviroment , and using venylester in outer layers is very good , but not the whole story . The best prevention for the buyer , is a proffesional done epoxy multi-layers thick barrier coat ( but often can be self applied by owner , strictlly following the instruction), from a good reputation company . Since blistering to occur it need-eventually- water , this coating prevent water to contact the laminates in hull for many years ,( from my and others experience , a decade or two..)but has to be kept intact -or repaired if damaged-, and prevent water comming in from inside-bilges- as well. However , if it is a new boat , and you keep it for few years only ( and you want to save money..)you probably needn't worry..
If the hull is laid up well, that is all that
matters. You could have all the barrier coats in the world applied and it might not help. It is a falacy to think that a boat actually gets blisters from osmosis. Blisters occur due to the manufacturing process. You might be wasting your money. It sounds like they are making an extra buck. If I bought the boat new from a dealer I'd ask why he thinks their new boat might blister.....maybe you should check out another type boat !! The fact is that boat bottoms blister because builders knowingly make the decision to use the cheapest possible resins to reduce their costs. Build a boat with better quality resins, resins that are not water permeable, and they will not blister, barring other major production faults. This is the reason why some boats blister while others do not. Another fact --- If a hull is 5 years old or more and has no blisters whatever, there's about a 95% probability that it never will. If it has even one blister, the chances are very high that it will continue... Wait for the warranty and if blisters occur have the manufacturer CORRECTLY fix the problem.. Check out the website below...Very informative. ( http://www.yachtsurvey.com/blisters.htm )
matters. You could have all the barrier coats in the world applied and it might not help. It is a falacy to think that a boat actually gets blisters from osmosis. Blisters occur due to the manufacturing process. You might be wasting your money. It sounds like they are making an extra buck. If I bought the boat new from a dealer I'd ask why he thinks their new boat might blister.....maybe you should check out another type boat !! The fact is that boat bottoms blister because builders knowingly make the decision to use the cheapest possible resins to reduce their costs. Build a boat with better quality resins, resins that are not water permeable, and they will not blister, barring other major production faults. This is the reason why some boats blister while others do not. Another fact --- If a hull is 5 years old or more and has no blisters whatever, there's about a 95% probability that it never will. If it has even one blister, the chances are very high that it will continue... Wait for the warranty and if blisters occur have the manufacturer CORRECTLY fix the problem.. Check out the website below...Very informative. ( http://www.yachtsurvey.com/blisters.htm )
Yes, if the keel is iron
Jeff, Some Beneteau models have an iron keep rather than lead. If this is the case on a 331, then a multi-layer epoxy job would definitely be in order. Almost all iron keel boats develop rust sooner or later if not treated with a good epoxy barrier. Most manufacturers will permit light sanding of the hull (without voiding the hull warranty) if an approved epoxy barrier is used when the boat is new. This would require prior approval from the manufacturer. I'd recommend doing this if you plan to keep the boat very long at all. Doing this would have saved me money and aggravation in the long run. Chris Webb
Jeff, Some Beneteau models have an iron keep rather than lead. If this is the case on a 331, then a multi-layer epoxy job would definitely be in order. Almost all iron keel boats develop rust sooner or later if not treated with a good epoxy barrier. Most manufacturers will permit light sanding of the hull (without voiding the hull warranty) if an approved epoxy barrier is used when the boat is new. This would require prior approval from the manufacturer. I'd recommend doing this if you plan to keep the boat very long at all. Doing this would have saved me money and aggravation in the long run. Chris Webb
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