Blue hull - turning white

[k9todd]

We have a three year old Maxi with a blue hull. She is well cared for and always washed down with fresh water after every sail. Most of the hull looks dark blue and well polished however we have started to notice that some areas of the hull is turning a cloudy off white - especially on the transome and towards the bow near the toe rail.
Anyone ever experienced anything similar? Or have any advice. Thanks.

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[jamesjermain]

Blue hulls are notorious for 'chalking', particularly when it is a simple blue coloured gel coat. However, modern materials are better and I wouldn't expect a three year old Maxi to be turning quite quite yet. If you bought the boat new, I would go back to the agent you bought her from and discuss the mater with him. There may be a warrenty issue here.

A better way of getting a blue hull is to finish it with Awlgrip from new. This may be what Maxi do, I can't remember. If it is, you certainly have a warranty issue.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[Clive_Rigden]

Hallo James.
Should be another thread or a private message really.
Can you tell me why in your A-Z YM used boats feature you didn't mention the Hustler 30 & 30 XM as well as the 25 & 35?
I'm buying a 30 XM "Enigma" which will be transferred from W. Mersea to the Beaulieu R. later this year.
See you at Southampton on Frifday perchance?
Regards,

<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber

 

[jamesjermain]

Basically I couldn't cover every boat . Some of those that missed out were vg boats, some I perhaps should have included, others were close copies of boats which were included and some were just best forgotten - talk to you some more on Friday if our paths cross (press day is usually pretty hectic)

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[Clive_Rigden]

Thanks - appreciate your workload (I'm ex Flight International) but will "pop in" to say hallo - or join us for some "respite" at the RSYC tent.
Cheers!

<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber

 

[k9todd]

James - thanks for the advice. I'll go back to Maxi and take it up with them. I'll also take a look at Awlgrip. Thanks

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[billmacfarlane]

I've got a blue Maxi 1100, 2 1/2 years old, and parts of my transom aren't as blue as they should be. I put it down to the way I moor my tender to the stern and the tender was rubbing against the hull. I'm not sure but I might be getting some fading round the toe rail. I'll have a good look next time I'm down. Like you I polish and seal the hull every year. I'll PM you if I find any fading. Might be an idea to post your problem on the Maxi owner's web site. If you're not a member I'll try a post and let you know what happens.

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[kidnapped]

Is awlgrip really good enough to cover a white hull, or are you suggesting blue awlgrip on top of blue hull?
I'm only aking because when I enquired about having a white hull awlgripped blue there was a sharp intake of breath and ' it's only microns thick and any scratch will show up'
What is the general consesus?

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[10tuskar]

I had same problem with blue hulled 1980 Mirage.
This was cured for the season with a cutting agent (Farclas,T-Cut) applied and hull waxed prior to launching, a laborious task to get the gel coat colour back.
Next yacht will have a white hull as pigmented colour gel coats are notorious for bleaching especially red then blue then green.
Other yachts in marina have painted their hulls where they`ve had similar problems.

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[waverider]

A lot of marine polishes today are very abrasive......I've looked at a few and found that if used on a regular basis the surface of a gel coat would end up looking like a well used ice skating ring! One of the polishes used in the car refinishing trade is : 3mm Hand Glaze and cost's around £18.00 from car refinishing paint suppliers...this polish instead of scratching away at fall out/oxidation etc actually works on the resins in surfaces and is far easier to use than any colour restorer's today!........I have a friend in the fibreglass trade whom I purchase GRP products from and is always busy casting moulds etc.....the one wax he will only use and swears by is Simonize Bees Wax, He claims that all though it is bloody hard to use it is the wax that will release a mould!......So try this.....3mm's Hand Glaze which will bring the surface a deep shine, then a good wax up with Simonize, I think you will pleased I posted you!....WR

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[jamesjermain]

My suggestion was that Awlgrip should be done from new when it is applied post moulding and is built up using clearly specified layers of base coats primers, undercoats and topcoats. It is an accepted and successful way of getting a dark coloured hull.

Redpainting an old white boat blue could lead to the problems you suggest unless it is part of a back-to-basics gel peal and epoxy rebuild.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[roger]

Re: Blue hull - beware swans

Totally irrelevant comment
:ast year saw a swan driven mad by its reflection in a beautiful highly polished dark blue hull, started attacking the hull, roaring round and round the hull, swimming over its cygnet - the lot. Do be kind and yet your blue hull get matt.

<hr width=100% size=1>Roger

 

[billmacfarlane]

There is a least one other Maxi with the same problem. I've been in contact with the Maxi owners association and the question will be raised on their web site. If there are more owners with the same problem then we'll need to contact the UK agent for Maxi yachts, SD Marine in the Hamble.

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[k9todd]

Quick update from my original post - thanks for the information provided. I've had a really positive response from Maxi - and have been really impressed with their customer service.

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