On the subject of Gel Coat and go faster coatings

Heard of an interesting subtance being use by one of my enthusiastic speed sailing kiter friends. It's a super hard ultra none abrasive epoxy coating developed in the dizzy world of Americas cup boat building, can't exactly remember what it was called, durepox? Something like that. He's built a kite board from it as part of his continued quest to raise the Weymouth Harbour speed record beyond the reach of anyone else. (Usually windsurfers).

But it's one of those substances that allegedly increase the speed of any given hull by 5% due to its slippery nature.

One wonders where else it might have already been applied? ;-)

Either way, if only for it's ultra hard abrasion resistance it's something we should know more about, particularly those of us who live with beach riding..

Anyone know more?

Edited by iGRF - 06 Sep 21 at 5:30pm

I doubt if Durapox is any slippery than a 2K PU. What was slippery was Grafspeed around in the early 70s filled with graphite . Just make sure you didn’t rub up against it or you would end up looking like you spent the day down the pit. It probably wasn’t any faster anyway, but who’s to know ?

Millions of bubbles have been released down Hull in an attempt to reduce drag, don't think it worked.

Yes there was a white soft paint which was called go- fast-smooth made by Helmsman Paints. Easy to get a smooth surface but soft as anything so wouldn’t stay good for long.

Grafspeed and the Helmsman white stuff worked simply 'cos it was easy to get a very smooth and fair finish with it. I used grey hi-build cellulose primer on my Div 1 boards to achieve exactly the same effect. Not sure it was faster but the grey dappled finish on my Superlight was great for psyching out the opposition  .