Gel Coat oxidation?

[Steve in Minneapolis]

I had a 2008 Four Winns for 10 years. Even though I waxed it twice annually, over time it became noticeably oxidized in the areas that were not under the covers. I could buff it out, but over time it became tougher to buff out, and the buff didn't last as long.

So, when I bought my 18 Monterey, I had a custom "mooring" cover made that covers the entire boat below the rub rail. Now, I'm looking at a 2018 Sea Ray 290 SDX and the dealer says I don't need the mooring cover because since around 2005 to 2010, Sea Ray gelcoat doesn't get oxidized. Is there any truth to this? Honestly, for $1k I don't mind dealing with the mooring cover to keep the boat looking new. What are your thoughts?

 

[JimG]

My 2007 needs buffed every other year and it only sits out in the sun for our short 5 month season. So I'm calling BS on that dealer.

 

[Steve in Minneapolis]

Thanks. I thought the same thing! But, why wouldn't he want me to buy the mooring cover? Considering a new boat, I'd get the mooring cover instead of the cockpit covers. Roughly the same cost. I really like the custom cover, but we paid $2k to have that made, vs $1k to get the factory one. Only difference is that the factory cover also covers the swim platform, so it may be tricky to get it on from the dock. But, that doesn't affect the dealer...

 

[Lazy Daze]

While the gelcoat formulations that some manufacturers use have gotten better over the years, there's no such thing as a gelcoat that doesn't oxidize. Some waxes are better than others, too - such as Collinite. But I'll second what Jim said in his last sentence.

Yes, the factory mooring cover from Sea Ray is very nice. You'll need to have finger piers, though, to reach the ratchet strap in the helm as they are typically located along the side of the boat. However, that's not to say that you couldn't have it moved to the stern - which would eliminate the "tricky part" you mentioned.

 

[Steve in Minneapolis]

Thanks, LazyDaze!

I used Collinite on my previous boat, and I think wax may contribute to part of the hazy appearance, as old wax in the pores yellows. On my new boat I used a nano coating on it, and it's still looking great, with just a touchup this spring.

Besides that, you answered the other question I had about where the ratchet strap is located. If it's on the side, like next to the helm, then we'd have no problem with it. We are in a slip with dock on both sides. It sounds like we could wrap it around, somewhat loosely, step off to secure the last corner, and then ratchet from the starboard dock. Sounds a little dicey, but I could deal with it. Five mins of fooling with it to prevent oxidation is better than hours of compound to fix oxidation, right!?

 

[Lazy Daze]

There may have been something else reacting with the Collinite wax. Yellowing isn't normal. I don't have any real experience with that nano stuff - but if you've got a system that you're happy with then stick with it!

Yeah, the cover is actually pretty straight forward to put on. It's the same as everything else - the first time takes you the longest, then it gets easier and easier.

 

[Steve in Minneapolis]

awesome! Thank you!

 

[sbw1]

What they said, plus use a good soap such as Woody Ultra Pine and your wax job will last the entire season up north. We had a cockpit cover for our 370 Express that attached at the windshield and ran back to the taff rail. It kept our boat super clean, and I grew to hate it because it was so big and heavy. Get a good wax job in the spring time and use the right soap (not "boatsoap" from a boat store), and your boat willlook great all season.

 

[Cap'n Scuba Steve]

As others have said, the person you spoke to at the dealership probably has brown eyes because he’s so full of it. I have a 2007 that I just compounded and waxed on the stern because the previous owners had a slip that had the stern facing west and so the areas that the cockpit cover didn’t cover became oxidized.

I’ll second what sbw1 said - use good soap that won’t strip your wax or finish off. I use Orpine Wash and Wax for almost all of my washes. It will not remove wax from your boat. If I’m going to polish and wax, I use Dawn dish soap because Dawn WILL remove the wax and that is what you want before you wax or polish and wax. You want to get the old stuff off before you apply a new coat. Then I use Jescar Power Plus polymer sealant. It acts like a wax, but lasts a LOT longer than traditional waxes. 6-8 months in salt water and 10-12 months in freshwater. I like it because it lasts a long time and isn’t as tedious as ceramic coating is. It’s in between ceramic and wax.

 

[Pirate Lady]

want a permanent solution? i had an 89 268 with red gelcoat on sides, and faded, had to wax every 4 weeks which looked great for about 3 weeks. got tired of it, painted it with Awlgrip, 3 day between taping, prep and painting. that was 12 years ago, i recently saw the boat and it still looks like new. awlgrip doesnt fade or oxidize, look into it, cost me about $300 doing it myself with a buddy. see the red on the side stripe and arch, that was about 5 years after awlgrip with NO waxing. do it.

 

[paulswagelock]

Steve, I have both the snap on covers and the full factory mooring cover. As I mentioned before, if you have access to one side of the cover, around the rear seat of the boat (either side as there is a ratchet on both sides), you can easily install the mooring cover at the dock. I do it at the end of every weekend and I can do it solo in 7-8 minutes, and with a second person, 5 minutes.

My marina neighbor bought the same boat on my recommendation. He only uses the snap on covers. After 3 years it still looks fine, but it is going to dull out eventually if he slacks off his maintenance. My advantage - have not had to wash the topsides in 3 years, and never had a single black streak. He can’t say the same.

I recommend getting both covers. I use the snap on overnight when we are using the boat the next day to keep the dew and bugs off, then put the mooring cover on when we are leaving for the week. Also nice to snap on the bow cover when a pop up storm comes rolling in and we don’t plan to head in.

 

[Steve in Minneapolis]

Thanks, everyone! I'm getting the mooring cover for sure. The point about the bow cover is a good one... will discuss with the Admiral.