Hull Prep

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum and just bought my first Laser today. I wanted to touch up the hull. It looks fine but is not totally smooth. The boat had been sitting for a long time. What do you guys do to prepare for a regatta as far as hull prep goes? Should I wet sand it with 600 or 1200? Wax? I'm not looking to race it, just want her to be slippery Thanks for all your help!

MaxStar said:

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum and just bought my first Laser today. I wanted to touch up the hull. It looks fine but is not totally smooth. The boat had been sitting for a long time. What do you guys do to prepare for a regatta as far as hull prep goes? Should I wet sand it with 600 or 1200? Wax? I'm not looking to race it, just want her to be slippery Thanks for all your help!

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Polish with rubbing compound (in your case, to remove oxidation). Wash thoroughly. Apply Teflon polish.

Awesome Chris. Thanks.

Don't use wax. While wax gives you a good shine, it actually slows you down as the wax causes little turbulance bubbles. I would definately sand to 1200. I sand my racing boat to 1500.

Krycek said:

Don't use wax. While wax gives you a good shine, it actually slows you down as the wax causes little turbulance bubbles. I would definately sand to 1200. I sand my racing boat to 1500.

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Check the rules - they are very strict about sanding which you are only allowed to do in certain circumstances. I am sure someone more current will advise on what is and isn't allowed. As I recall you stated you don't want to race and therefore this restriction would apply but I'd still advise against it as you would lower the value of your boat for no advantage - the performance gain is so small as to be unnoticeable except in a race!

Also, from a like to somebodies web site (cannot remember where/who so cannot give credit - sorry) - it says that you can only sand a certain number of times as there is only so much gel coat you can safely remove before causing problems. Thus each sanding thins the gel a bit. And from memory the number of times they said was quite low.

Ian

Krycek said:

Don't use wax. While wax gives you a good shine, it actually slows you down as the wax causes little turbulance bubbles. I would definately sand to 1200. I sand my racing boat to 1500.

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The whole wax/no wax debate is very complicated. There is much disagreement about whether you want a surface that causes water to bead (wax) or to sheet (no wax). I don't think it makes any difference in a boat like a Laser, but I do know that using a Teflon polish prevents my boat from picking up any gunk from the water. If you sand the gelcoat you create a surface that will need constant cleaning to prevent dirt buildup.

Thanks for the input guys. I just hit it with some compund and it improved a lot. I mean the boat is a 1976 and just something for me to tool around in so it doesn't make a huge difference. None the less, thanks everyone.

By the way, it had been waaay too long since I last sailed a Laser. I forgot just how much fun and how fast they are.

GBR 134 said:

Check the rules - they are very strict about sanding which you are only allowed to do in certain circumstances

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Here is the text cut and pasted from the 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 of 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.