Undercovers
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2725
Printed Date: 12 May 25 at 12:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Undercovers
Posted By: Marine Boy
Subject: Undercovers
Date Posted: 28 Feb 07 at 4:21pm
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Are undercovers only for use whilst transporting a boat?
The reason I ask is that they probably protect the gel coat from UV but they will also trap rain water against the hull which I guess is not good.
Opinions anyone?
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Replies:
Posted By: MRJP BUZZ 585
Date Posted: 28 Feb 07 at 4:25pm
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I guess if people could be bothered they probley would put undercovers on every time but not many can be bothered, i guess if the boat was to be left for a long time you would. I was always told to put a couple of small holes in the bottom of an undercover to stop the build up of water  ------------- Josh Preater http://www.bu22.co.uk"> BUZZING IS FUN
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Posted By: Matt Jackson
Date Posted: 28 Feb 07 at 5:04pm
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I'd say they are good to stop UV damage but can also create a 'boil in the bag' situation. On balance I'd rather my Gelcoat faded a bit (which can be t-cut back to nearly as new) than the internal structure of the hull went all soft and failed the next time I put the rig tension on. ------------- Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36 |
Posted By: craig-m
Date Posted: 28 Feb 07 at 5:29pm
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I was told to only use my undercover when travelling, because unless your undercover is breatheable, the undercover makes the gelcoat absorb the water because the boat is unable to breathe. This causes the gelcoat to crack over time. ------------- RS300 406 http://www.dysailing.com - DERBYSHIRE YOUTH SAILING http://www.burtonsailingclub.co.uk - Burton Sailing CLub Sailing: The only sport that's called off for nice weather |
Posted By: Rob.e
Date Posted: 28 Feb 07 at 8:52pm
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Re: the breathable issue, my RS300 cover had a "flash" across one corner in some sort of none breathable plastic stuff, and over a winter that was enough to cause the deck to form tiny bubbles just under that small area. Fortunately they were only superficial, but I did cut the thing off, and I notice that all later covers had this in the middle where they didn't touch the hull. The moral is, you don't want anything holding water against your gel coat for any length of time! ------------- |
Posted By: scottishgem
Date Posted: 01 Mar 07 at 6:06pm
i put the undercover on the 420 if im towing her either a long distance or on gravelled roads, im too bone idle to bother otherwise if we're just going a short way 
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