Why to take the boat up?

[eranb2]

Hi

Maybe this question sounds silly but.
a fiberglass boat can't dry in 2 or 3 weeks so why people lifts them up anyway for "drying" ?
if the antifouling paint holds well or the boat stays where there are no foulings in the water , is it usefull to take it up just for 2 weeks?

Am I mising something?

Books about osmosis treatment says that drying takes about 3- 6 months.

 

[Niander]

Its normally to antifoul
check hull etc

 

[Norman_E]

If you wish to take hull moisture readings, which some owners do on an annual basis, you need to let the surface dry completely to avoid false readings. The charter company I bought my boat from gave the hulls of all their boats an epoxy treatment when new, then lifted each year. Hull moisture content readings were taken at six points on the hull two weeks after lifting. One year they were higher than both the preceding and succeeding years. The reason is that it rained more than usual that year so the surface did not dry as completely.

 

[Fire99]

So how long does it take a fibreglass hull to dry out then?

 

[Grajan]

How long is a piece of string?
All kidding aside hulls can dry naturally in days, weeks or months but constant washing is required and if moisture levels haven't shown a consistant drop within say three months further opening of the laminate might be required. The Hot Vac vaccuum heat pad method can shorten drying times providing the hull has been properly prepared but will of course add expense
Graham G

 

[capt_courageous]

Hi
A fair number of boats in our club have been treated for osmosis and had the gel coat stripped in late Autumn. They hardly seem to dry at all during the winter. It is usually about July before the the hull is ready for recoating. That is without any heating as Grahams suggests.