Polish/Wax

S

Sail_J6

New Member
What polish or wax do people use on the bottom of the hull? I always hear of and see Olympians using polish on their hull before regatta but do not know what type/brand they use as I've read that it needs to water repellent? or something similar to ensure it does create more friction. I don't want to end up creating more harm than good! Thanks :)
 
From Part Three of the class rules:

11. Hull Finish
(a) Waxing, polishing and fine wet and dry sanding of the hull is permitted provided the intention and effect is to polish the hull only. Polishing/sanding shall not
be used to remove mould imperfections.
(b) Sanding and refinishing the hull with the intention or effect to lighten the hull or improve the performance, finish, materials or shape beyond the original
is not permitted.
Click to expand...

Anything to change the friction of the hull or water flow along it is not legal. You can basically polish it for appearance sake.
 
In America we make our hulls shiny with Star Brite Premium Marine Polish with PTEF (teflon). Don't know if it's available in your neck of the woods.
 
you're actually creating a smoother surface which water can better adhere to, rough surfaces cause disturbed turbulent flow and drag, it definitely makes a difference to keep up your hull and it should be routine to care to keep your gelcoat from oxidizing

PTEF is great, If the boat is a few years old, start by wetsanding with a very fine grit sandpaper (you can skip sanding if its new or hasn't had much use), then wash with soap and water, let it dry, apply the PTEF wax, polish

the PTEF lasts for a while so you don't have to do it every weekend, you should however rinse off the hull with fresh water after racing
 
The main benefit in polishing the bottom of the boat is not performance, where you would be lucky to gain a boat length in a race, but just looking at the bottom to see if the filler between the hull is damaged, if there are cracks around the centreboard that need repairing or if the venture has been knocked and needs to be refitted etc.
 
What I do to give my hull a nice shine, is use some sort of cleaning product (I use muc-off) and then a rotating sander but with a buffer pad. It smooths the underside of the hull really nicely and doesn't damage it at all! (I doubt it makes you go any faster but the thought is there, so maybe psychologically!)
 
Do not put sandpaper near your boat or even wet and dry doing this makes the gelcoat thinner over the years and when you come to have gel repairs done on your boat it takes longer because when the repair is being finished the repairer could go through to epoxy and then have to start again and your bill goes up because you are charged for time i know because its my job. I would however reccomend using something much less abrasive but will do the same job cutting compound myself and all the boat builders/repairers i know use this one http://www.3mselect.co.uk/p-2573-bo...-compound-finishing-material-06044-950ml.aspx i have also used this one in the past http://www.cyclopolisher.co.uk/product.php?productid=17526 and i apply it using one of theese http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...=X&ei=twqET5e1NorM0QXhstC1Bw&ved=0CJEBEPMCMAE# with the white sponge pad on and a sprayer of water. Do not use T cut it has a chemical in it the same as what is in car wash and wax unfortunatley at the moment i cant remember the name of it but it oxidises gelcoat. The polish that i use is either http://www.marinescene.co.uk/produc...le&utm_content=UP 402652&utm_campaign=Froogle or this http://www.purplemarine.com/dinghy/mclube-hullkote.html?source=googleps and i apply it using the red sponge pad and then i use http://www.foxsonline.com/acatalog/International-Wax-Sealer.html witch is applied by hand on a lambswool cloth remember wax on wax off the reason for using the wax sealer is to protect the polish that is blocking the pores in the gelcoat preventing osmosis and oxidisation and UV so by using the wax sealer you are protecting the protector and yes theese polishes and the sealer have teflon in them the teflon helps to protect your gelcoat unfortuanatley it also helps you go faster ;)
 
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