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CAUTION
CAUTION
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
13.1 Exterior Hull and 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 pres-
sure cleaner or a hard bristle brush to clean the
surface.
Bottom Painting
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 different regions, a qualied 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.
Use only standard antifouling paints and ber-
glass wax removers and primers recommended
by the antifouling paint manufacturer when pre-
paring the hull for bottom paint. Light sanding,
just enough to scuff the gel coat or a skip sand
primer system can be used to prepare the hull
for bottom paint. The use of a coating other than
standard antifouling paint or epoxy barrier coat-
ings are not recommended and will void the hull
blister warranty.
Do not allow the hull antifouling paint to contact
the outboard motor. Most antifouling paints de-
signed for hull bottoms contain copper and can
cause severe galvanic corrosion damage to the
motor. Always leave at least a 1” barrier between
the hull bottom paint and outboard motors.
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.
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.
DO NOT ALLOW THE HULL ANTIFOULING PAINT TO CONTACT
THE OUTBOARD MOTOR. MOST ANTIFOULING PAINTS
DESIGNED FOR HULL BOTTOMS CONTAIN COPPER AND
CAN CAUSE SEVERE GALVANIC CORROSION DAMAGE TO
THE OUTBOARD DRIVE UNIT. USE ONLY ANTIFOULING
PAINT DESIGNED FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS IF APPLYING
ANTIFOULING PAINT TO THE ENGINE. ALWAYS LEAVE A ONE
INCH BARRIER BETWEEN THE HULL BOTTOM PAINT AND
OUTBOARD MOTOR.
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 or local boat yard for the recommended
maintenance procedures.
Anodes
Sacricial anodes are installed on the outboard
motor, engine brackets and could be installed on
the transom and/or trim tabs. The anodes are
less noble than copper based alloys, stainless
steel and aluminum. They will deteriorate rst,
protecting the more noble underwater hardware
against galvanic corrosion.
They must be monitored if the boat is to be left
in the water. Anodes should be checked monthly
and changed when they are 75% of their original
size. When replacing the anodes, make sure the
contact surfaces are clean, shiny metal and free of
paint and corrosion. Never paint over the anode.
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
Chapter 13:
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