Marking on Hull Around Windows - Beneteau 423

[p.adams]

Hi there

I purchased a Beneteau 423 some months back and have noticed smudgey, light grey to dark grey stains appearing around the central beam windows. At first I thought this might be coming from water streaming past the window gaskets but then realised it was ABOVE the windows as well and began to think perhaps it is the gasket / sealant around the large docking horns positioned directly above these windows.

The marks can be removed with cleaner but rapidly come back.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

Any suggestions for products that would eliminate the ability of these stains to mark the hull? I could remove the horns and replace the sealant but that seems extreme.

Thanks,

Paul.

 

[joyof10]

I have the same problem on my B 343. I just assumed that it was from water draining down from the holes in the toe-rail, but I'll follow this thread to learn more.

 

[Ron20324]

Have you waxed the area?

 

[rickbogh]

Assuming your 423 has the same teak cap railings as my 411... After 17 years, I get the same vertical stains coming down from under the cap rails. It's the dirt and mildew that has formed under the teak, and is staining the hull. A quick wipe with a mild cleaner will get rid of them while not stripping the wax on the hull. Of course they reappear occasionally. The only solution would be to properly re-seal the cap rail. As Beneteau did not do this properly upon manufacture, and removal of the entire rail seems like a fools errand, I have elected to continue the occasional cleanup.

 

[p.adams]

Thanks guys. Hmmm sounds like it could be the sealant....

Any other theories at all?

Anyone have good recommendation on products / product types to use on the gel coat? I'd prefer something that is preventative and stops the smears rather than just having to keep cleaning it. The smears reappear quiet fast.

Paul.