Basic Hull Maintenance

J

johnr

New member
Hello,

I'm buying an older c-dory. The hull is in amazing shape for its age, and I want to keep it that way. I've only owned wooden boats in the past (I'm done with that!), and I have no idea about how to care for this hull. I've been reading through some old posts here and I take it that I'm supposed to buff it a couple of times a year? Wax too? If you could point me in the direction of any literature or web page (or thread here), that describes basic hull maintenance, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Johnr
 
It depends. If you store your boat out in the sun, or even worse, in the water, you really have some work to do - waxing frequently, making curtains to protect the interior, and pulling the boat and cleaning the junk off of it.

If your boat is a trailer queen like mine that sits in the garage, I wouldn't worry about it much. Once it loses its shine, which will take like 5 years, wax it. My boat is ancient and still looks like new. I think storing it out of the sun, weather, and water is pretty much the reason it still looks great - it isn't my great care for sure.

As you are probably aware, your biggest concern is in keeping the inner core dry. Do everything you can to make sure it stays that way.
 
Welcome. And congrats! The best thing you can do is try to put 50-100 hours a year on out enjoying your boat! Nicks and dings occur. There are lots of good threads on here about keeping your baby nice. Being a 'glass boat, keep it clean and wax once a season or more if you're fussy. Power buffing is covered in maintenance threads Keep it operational and keep the bottom clean. If trailer stored it may not need bottom paint. The boats are simple and robust. Best to try and wear out the engine. Don't worry Have fun!! George
 
T.R. Bauer":vbkm9al3 said:
It depends. If you store your boat out in the sun, or even worse, in the water, you really have some work to do - waxing frequently, making curtains to protect the interior, and pulling the boat and cleaning the junk off of it.

If your boat is a trailer queen like mine that sits in the garage, I wouldn't worry about it much. Once it loses its shine, which will take like 5 years, wax it. My boat is ancient and still looks like new. I think storing it out of the sun, weather, and water is pretty much the reason it still looks great - it isn't my great care for sure.

As you are probably aware, your biggest concern is in keeping the inner core dry. Do everything you can to make sure it stays that way.
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Thanks...but now you have me all worried about keeping the inner core dry! Exactly how does one do that?
 
We have our boats hand waxed twice a year and it seems to be adequate (use Fleet Wax by Collinite.

As for the dry core; if you have any screws or holes into the bottom of the boat, the screw needs to be removed, the area inspected for water intrusion, and then drill out the hole, undercut the surrounding fiberglass, (I sue a Dremel tool, some use a small section of a coat hanger bent at a right angle in a power drill) fill with thickened epoxy and then replace the screw, with a new pilot hole. The same should be done for any hole in the transom, especially one which is below the waterline. This is a precaution in any cored hull. Very few if any builders do it right...
 
Does any one know where to get some gel coat patch material that matches the hull off white color? Just want to fill in some of those dings. Thanks michael
 
mwilson":i7110jq8 said:
Does any one know where to get some gel coat patch material that matches the hull off white color? Just want to fill in some of those dings. Thanks michael
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I ordered a quart can, plus the other bits, from Gelcoat Products - they shipped it to me. I provided the gelcoat color code (which I found on this site). It was an excellent match for my 2002.

Here is the code for the "white" color:

Cdory White Gelcoat: CCP # DX 963-WK-506

Company I got it from was www.gelcoatproducts.com (but I believe other companies can also use the code, so you are not limited to this one). I think I first tried Spectrum (another gelcoat company) but for some reason I don't remember (they had moved and were further away maybe? It was nothing negative about the company, per se), I didn't go with them.

I think Gelcoat Products also will sell smaller tubes of "patching paste" - so you might ask if you would prefer that.

Sunbeam
 
CCP stands for Cook Composites Products (CCP) which is the largest NA producer of gelcoat (and other resin products).

For small repairs I suggest that you go to Spectrum Color and order the gelcoat paste repair kit. They have the C Dory white on the web site. A quart is a lot of gel coat--and gel coat is time dated. As you probably know air must be occluded form the gel coat for a cure. This can be achieved with waxed gel coat, a membrane or PVC spray over the gel coat. I prefer the PVC spray.

Most repair folks do their own tinting with pigments to match the boat's gel coat from a base white (white is a difficult color to match).
 
fyi


AUGUST CCPU SESSION 2013

CCP will host the Gel Coat Application and Repair CCP University session August 14-15, 2013. This course, taking place on location at the CCP Tech Center in North Kansas City, MO, is a two day school designed to introduce and expand on a working knowledge of gel coat materials and application and repair skills. Classroom sessions provide background for hands-on workshops intended to offer practical tips and techniques for better quality parts.

For more information:

Contact CCPU@ccpcompositesus.com or

Register on the CCPU Schedule page

today!
http://www.ccponline.com/index.php/products/gel-coats
 
Hello
I have an older 16ft angler and have been thinking of applying bottom paint or waxing the hull. It currently sits on my trailer how do you paint or wax under all the rollers on the trailer?
Thanks
 
tokelandpete":wz1o03p5 said:
Hello
I have an older 16ft angler and have been thinking of applying bottom paint or waxing the hull. It currently sits on my trailer how do you paint or wax under all the rollers on the trailer?
Thanks
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Here's one previous thread on the topic. There are many others and they can be located using the search function on the site.
 
dblloyd":26ojv9xf said:
Regarding Bob Austin's suggestion, how often should this be done?
BTW thanks to all for great advice and discussions
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I am sorry, but am not sure what you are referring to. As for bottom paint--it can be every year to every 3 years. We don't rely on wax for the bottom to prevent growth. If on the trailer, the boat needs to be jacked up--there are several ways to do this, including pulling the trailer out from the boat, raising the stern and putting blocks under it, then raising the trailer to paint under this area--and reversing for the bow--putting the boat different amounts on the trailer--ie shifting it foreward or aft 6" to clear rollers. There are pitfalls, and that is why there are discussions ref safety.

As to wax or occlusion on the gel coat--only while the gel coat cures. Hope that answers the question.
 
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