sanding the bottom

[joe]

I have a relatvely new boat in which we are trying to improve in our tuesday night race series. I normally paint the bottom with vc17 each spring. This spring I would like to lightly wet sand with 600-1200 grit paper to smooth out the bottom, especially the foot or two portion of the bottom adjacent to the keel. The problem is I am afraid that I will damage the blister resistance of my hull by doing so.I know I void the warrenty. The area I am concerned about I have been told is some sort of fiberglass tape used to fair or support the keel so sanding this area should not damage the hull. Looking for suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Sanding

Joe -First I would removed the anti-fouling and then I would apply a building primer to the bottom. Then I'd sand that. That way you have no worries about your blister resistance and should get to keep your warranty.But I probably wouldn't bother. Unless everything else you do is absolutely perfect the increase you're looking at is minimal at best. If you want to change something on the boat I'd look to decreasing windage or find a way to move something heavy to a more central location or lower in the boat.If you really want to go faster I'd spend the time and money this project would cost on a day on the water with a good coach or tactician.YMMV,Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[R.W.Landau]

False thought

Joe,In the aerodynamic world, having an absolutly smooth hull would increase the surface friction fiberglass to water.A slightly imperfect hull holds water so that the friction is water to water. In other words there is less drag.This, I was told by a Westinghouse engineer. I am just passing info that I have collected.r.w.landau

 

[Rob R.]

R.W. is right...

I have a catamaran, and the previous owner (who won the Prindle nationals in San Diego)used to sand the hulls - but he would sand them to make them rough, rather than smooth.It made the hulls look dull and weathered, but they were faster than a waxed/polished surface.Best Regards, Rob