More maintenance and repairs

[Doug]

I wish to clean up my boat and make it shine, it is slightly weathered. Does anyone know of a really good cleaning compound? Also, will my boat sail faster if I wax the bottom and if so, what is a good brand of wax to use?

 

[Bill O'D]

Wax

3M makes a compound in two flavors, one for heavy use on very chalky and stained boats and the other for more moderate use. Compounding actually wears down the gelcoat, so it's not something you want to do every month. But either of these will get you started toward shiny. Can't say if wax will make the bottom faster. Most of us are preoccupied with bottom paint because our boats stay in the water an entire season instead of getting hauled onto a trailer.

 

[Jeff Wingo]

It isn't fiberglass.

Just remember, the boat is plastic, not fiberglass. Make sure that you choose a cleaner that will not harm the plastic. Look at other posts here on the 90, 140 or 170. Here is what Dave Condon said in an earlier post:+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+buffing Submitted by Dave Condon on 06/07/2000 at 04:55am regarding Hunter 170Never use acetone or it will melt the boat. Suggest a fine type compound for example the liquid Finese-It by 3-M and a buffer. Make sure speed of buffer is low speed or you will burn the plastic. Crazy Dave

 

[Edward L Smith]

Remember it is plastc and about !/8th Inch

thick. The repair instructions that come with the plexus kit from JY Sailboats says to polish with 2400 grit sandpaper until water beads. I use softsoap to remove black marks and other tough stains. You can mix a little clorox in the wash water to get the mildew. The softsoap works pretty good. I don't think wax is going to do anything for it but I used a fast ablative when in Corpus Christi which is great for one season and doesn't cause problems when you go back to lakes. At least you don't grow whiskers and barnacles on the bottom even if it is expensive. Dry sailing is the best way to go but I admit to taking 30 to 40 minutes to get in the water, while leaving a dock only takes 5 minutes which inludes washing the gull stuff off and removing the sail cover.