Epoxy new boat

[mobeydick]

What is the opinion nowadays on the need for epoxy barrier coat on a new boat?

On the one hand, the manufacturer says it is not needed, and it costs money, on the other it would not do any harm, and many people seem to specify it on other boats (if the 'epoxied from new' on For Sale ads are to go by).

Any thoughts on if it is needed, either from a utility point of view or resell value? Or indeed, any drawbacks besides cost?

 

[boatmike]

Epoxy is considerably more impervious to water than polyester. It is therefore a very good idea to protect a new hull. There is one argument against however. If the hull has only recently been moulded, it is still giving off styrene for some months afterwards which is sometimes responsible for epoxy lifting. I.M.H.O. the best of all possible worlds is: Take delivery, sail for a season with only one light coat of antifoul, dry out thoroughly ashore, clean, abrade, and then apply epoxy. It's much cheaper, and not difficult to do the job yourself when you know that the hull is fully "post-cured"