OAF
New member
I have just bought myself a new boat but while looking through thousands of adverts i notice that some boats have been epoxy resined! or epoxy coated, so my question is what is it and is it worth the money?
Epoxy coating question
- Thread starter OAF
- Start date
aluijten
New member
Epoxy is a 2-component resin that has a few advantages over polyester. It is not sensitive to osmosis.
There are a few boat builders that use epoxy instead of polyester but that is more expensive to use and you can hardly use a gelcoat skin anymore (gelcoat doesn't bond well to epoxy during the build process) so the boat needs to be painted instead.
Epoxy is sensitive to UV rays, so it needs to be painted in any case.
What is done quite often is that the underwater part of a polyester hull is painted with epoxy paint before putting on the antifouling. That way you protect the polyester and gelcoat of the boat for extensive water exposure. This is why it might be useful to do it immediately for a new boat as applying it to the new hull is easier that first scraping off the the old antifouling.
So, I think the general thought is that it is a good idea to have the boat coated with epoxy from new. It will be an sales argument when selling the boat eventually.
Arno
There are a few boat builders that use epoxy instead of polyester but that is more expensive to use and you can hardly use a gelcoat skin anymore (gelcoat doesn't bond well to epoxy during the build process) so the boat needs to be painted instead.
Epoxy is sensitive to UV rays, so it needs to be painted in any case.
What is done quite often is that the underwater part of a polyester hull is painted with epoxy paint before putting on the antifouling. That way you protect the polyester and gelcoat of the boat for extensive water exposure. This is why it might be useful to do it immediately for a new boat as applying it to the new hull is easier that first scraping off the the old antifouling.
So, I think the general thought is that it is a good idea to have the boat coated with epoxy from new. It will be an sales argument when selling the boat eventually.
Arno
bootleg
New member
well said i agree 100%
oldsaltoz
New member
As your research confirms, many new boats are epoxy coated below the water. Check with the maker, most will apply an epoxy coat over a thin layer of gelcoat or other material when building.
As the boat is new you can simply apply 4 to 5 coats of epoxy resin below the waterline and cover this with an epoxy primer, International high build epoxy primer is one we have used with good results for many years.
After curing you can apply your antifoul without the risk of it flaking off.
Tip:
We mist spray a single coat of epoxy primer over the original and add the antifoul when still tacky, this has the advantage of ensuring a very good key, and a show of colour change when scraping off at some later stage in life.
Hope this helps.
Avagoodweekend......
As the boat is new you can simply apply 4 to 5 coats of epoxy resin below the waterline and cover this with an epoxy primer, International high build epoxy primer is one we have used with good results for many years.
After curing you can apply your antifoul without the risk of it flaking off.
Tip:
We mist spray a single coat of epoxy primer over the original and add the antifoul when still tacky, this has the advantage of ensuring a very good key, and a show of colour change when scraping off at some later stage in life.
Hope this helps.
Avagoodweekend......
William_H
Well-known member
Assuming when you say new boat that you mean straight from manufacture. If it is old just new to you then the situation can be different.
Standard polyester gel coat can suffer from Osmosis. ^This is bubbling of the gel coat away from the base fibreglass and can be a sign or allow the fibreglass to become water logged.
The bubbling is a real problem if you want to sell the boat as most potential purchasers will want to examine the hull or even do an electronic moisture check.
The fix for bubbling osmosis is to grind away the gel coat, dry out the hull and coat with epoxy.
Some boats never have osmosis problems and some are really bad. It may depend on the temp humidity when the boat was built or the resin used.
So an epoxy coating may mean someone is very cautious and careful or it may mean it has had problems so may have more.
its all very difficult. Certainly if yours is a new boat not yet in the water. Get it epoxied before antifoul paint is applied.If it is an old boat don't worry until and if it becomes a problem good luck olewill
Standard polyester gel coat can suffer from Osmosis. ^This is bubbling of the gel coat away from the base fibreglass and can be a sign or allow the fibreglass to become water logged.
The bubbling is a real problem if you want to sell the boat as most potential purchasers will want to examine the hull or even do an electronic moisture check.
The fix for bubbling osmosis is to grind away the gel coat, dry out the hull and coat with epoxy.
Some boats never have osmosis problems and some are really bad. It may depend on the temp humidity when the boat was built or the resin used.
So an epoxy coating may mean someone is very cautious and careful or it may mean it has had problems so may have more.
its all very difficult. Certainly if yours is a new boat not yet in the water. Get it epoxied before antifoul paint is applied.If it is an old boat don't worry until and if it becomes a problem good luck olewill
OAF
New member
Thanks for your replies, just one more question
Is it worth doing on a second hand boat that doesnt have any problems or is it just worth keeping on top of the antifouling at regular intervals
Cheers /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Is it worth doing on a second hand boat that doesnt have any problems or is it just worth keeping on top of the antifouling at regular intervals
Cheers /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
oldsaltoz
New member
Quote>
Is it worth doing on a second hand boat that doesnt have any problems or is it just worth keeping on top of the antifouling at regular intervals <end quote.
Antifoul will not provide any protection at from water entering the hull. Having said that the application of an epoxy will help to protect the hull against water Ingress.
Depends on just how old or how long she has been untreated. Personally I would leave it if she is around 5 years old, review at 6 years.
If she is over 15 years she may never have a problem, just check it as soon as you can after lifting out, a rub with an 8o grit sandpaper will show any small high spots that may need further investigation.
Hope this helps.
Avagoodweekend......
Is it worth doing on a second hand boat that doesnt have any problems or is it just worth keeping on top of the antifouling at regular intervals <end quote.
Antifoul will not provide any protection at from water entering the hull. Having said that the application of an epoxy will help to protect the hull against water Ingress.
Depends on just how old or how long she has been untreated. Personally I would leave it if she is around 5 years old, review at 6 years.
If she is over 15 years she may never have a problem, just check it as soon as you can after lifting out, a rub with an 8o grit sandpaper will show any small high spots that may need further investigation.
Hope this helps.
Avagoodweekend......
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