Blackfin 212 - Exterior Hull and Deck Care

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12.1 Exterior Hull & Deck
Hull Cleaning Below The Water Line
When the boat is removed from the water, clean
the outer bottom surface immediately. Algae,
grass, dirt and other marine growth is easier to
remove while the hull is still wet. Use a pressure
cleaner or a hard bristle brush to clean the surface.
Marine Growth, Bottom Paint and
Osmosis Blistering
If the boat is to be left in saltwater for extended
periods, the hull must be protected from marine
growth by antifouling paint. Because of variations
in water temperature, marine growth, and pollu-
tion in dierent regions, a qualied boat yard in
your area should be consulted when deciding what
bottom paint system to apply to your hull. This
is extremely important as pollution and marine
growth can damage berglass hulls.
Your Blackn hull is manufactured using state-of-
the-art materials and processes. A super tough
layer of vinyl ester resin with high density and
superior adhesion properties provides an excep-
tionally eective barrier to osmotic blistering.
Osmosis is caused by a chemical reaction between
water and substances in the hull laminate below
the waterline. If water breaches the exterior gel-
coat and barrier layer, it can react with the chemi-
cal components in the laminate creating acidic
substances. These substances create pressure
behind the gelcoat which causes blisters.
CAUTION
SANDBLASTING THE HULL BOTTOM WILL DAMAGE THE
FIBERGLASS. USE A FIBERGLASS WAX REMOVER AND SAND
TO SCUFF THE GELCOAT SURFACE. THE INSTRUCTIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BARRIER COATING
AND ANTIFOULING PAINT MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE
FOLLOWED EXACTLY.
CAUTION
BARRIER COATINGS AND BOTTOM PAINT SHOULD BE
APPLIED ONLY BY QUALIFIED MARINE PROFESSIONALS
IN A BOAT YARD OR DEALERSHIP THAT SPECIALIZES IN
THEIR APPLICATION. USE ONLY STANDARD, HIGH QUALITY
ANTIFOULING PAINTS AND BARRIER COATINGS FROM NAME
BRAND MANUFACTURES SUCH AS INTERLUX AND PETTIT.
CAUTION
DO NOT ALLOW THE HULL ANTIFOULING PAINT TO
CONTACT THE OUTBOARD ENGINES. MOST ANTIFOULING
PAINTS DESIGNED FOR HULL BOTTOMS CONTAIN COPPER
AND CAN CAUSE SEVERE GALVANIC CORROSION DAMAGE
TO THE LOWER UNIT. USE ONLY ANTIFOULING PAINT
DESIGNED FOR OUTDRIVES AND OUTBOARD MOTORS.
ALWAYS LEAVE A ONE INCH BARRIER BETWEEN THE HULL
BOTTOM PAINT AND ENGINES.
Most bottom paints require some maintenance.
Proper maintenance is especially important when the
boat is in saltwater and not used for extended periods
or after dry storage. If the hull bottom has been
painted with antifouling paint, contact your dealer
for the recommended maintenance procedures.
SacricialAnodes
Sacricial anodes are installed on the outboard en-
gines. Additional anodes are installed on the trim
tab planes.
The anodes are less noble than copper based alloys,
aluminum, cast iron and stainless steel. They will
deteriorate rst, protecting the more noble engine
and underwater hardware against galvanic corrosion.
Anodes should be checked monthly and changed
when they are 75% of their original size. Addition-
ally, anodes that are subjected to frequent wetting
and drying require periodic scung with sandpaper
to remove scale and oxidation to maintain their ef-
fectiveness.
When replacing the anodes, make sure the contact
surfaces are clean, shiny metal and free of paint and
corrosion. Never paint over the anode. The bonding
system should be inspected by a qualied marine
electrician once a year to make sure all connections
are sound and there is continuity throughout the
system.
Boats stored in saltwater will normally need to have
the anodes replaced every 6 months to one year.
Anodes requiring replacement more frequently may
indicate a stray current problem within the boat or
at the slip or marina. Anodes that do not need to
be replaced after one year may not be providing the
proper protection. Loose or low quality anodes could
Chapter 12:
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE