Hull Coating

[CSebago]

Ahoy there-
I have a Macgregor 26D Made about 1984?. I bought it used and it has an ablative coating. I sail on fresh water 95% of the time, with an occasional 3 - 7 days in the ocean. I sail 3-4 months a year and store her on the trailer, outside, over the winter in Maine.
I want to remove the ablative coat as it is unnecessary (in my opinion) and also is chipped, spotty and faded. If I remove the ablative coat, (careful sanding) ..do I need to recoat the gel-coat on the hull or is the gel-coat watertight still? Your recommendations appreciated.
Spring Sailing Ahead..
Thanks,
SchellCP@gmail.com

 

[alexco38]

Wash it off

Ablative means disolves by water.

Just use a power washer (on medium level) to wash it off. The gelcoat usually has some epoxy coating on them to prevent osmosis. If you leave her in the water for months on end, you'll need some anti-fouling paint. I use fresh water VC-17 which is very thin and washes off in a year but no build up. Abalative usually has some build up and chipping.

 

[sailingdog]

If it truly is an ablative paint that was used, there is no need to sand it. Using a pressure sprayer should take it off without damaging the gelcoat. If a pressure sprayer doesn't remove it, it isn't an ablative paint.

 

[MagothyBoy]

The gelcoat is only a cosmetic layer. It is not water tight and not at all a part of the structural integrity of the hull. Using a sprayer or a hose with a 3M pot srubber should take it off.

Kevin

 

[sailingdog]

Actually, ablative paints do not dissolve in water. They ablate—or get worn away by EROSION...which requires that the water be MOVING. If the water is not moving relative to the hull, the paint will not ablate... :naughty:

The reason the paint ablates faster at the leading edge of the keel and along the waterline is because the laminar boundary layer of water that partially protects the majority of the hull is least effective there.

Ablative means disolves by water.

Just use a power washer (on medium level) to wash it off. The gelcoat usually has some epoxy coating on them to prevent osmosis. If you leave her in the water for months on end, you'll need some anti-fouling paint. I use fresh water VC-17 which is very thin and washes off in a year but no build up. Abalative usually has some build up and chipping.

Gelcoat is the cosmetic finish layer...but on most boats it is also the waterproof layer. If fiberglass were not sealed with gelcoat, it would absorb quite a bit of water over time. Most modern boats use a vinylester resin-based gelcoat to help prevent this osmosis from occurring. While gelcoat is not a structural part of the layup, it is an important part as it protects the laminate from water intrusion.

The gelcoat is only a cosmetic layer. It is not water tight and not at all a part of the structural integrity of the hull. Using a sprayer or a hose with a 3M pot srubber should take it off.

Kevin