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Best Practices....New Alwcraft Painted Hull & Fenders

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by CaboFly, May 7, 2022.

  1. CaboFly, May 7, 2022
    #1
    CaboFly

    CaboFly Active Member

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    Currently have my Sportfish in the paint booth getting sanded and prepped for paint. Yard is applying Awlcraft 2000 in Haze Grey.

    On my last Sportfish I used the Polyform A series and plan to do the same on this 48 Cabo. Larger ball forward on flare and a pair in the stern that are one size smaller.

    Being a painted boat are fender covers advised to reduce scratches? Any other brands or pro tips as this will be my first painted boat. Bouys will be used when the boat is not in permanent slip. In my slip I already have inflatable dock wheels with covers. I can tie up on both sides to minimize contact with hull once secured.

    Appreciate any opinions from those with experience.
  2. CaboFly, May 7, 2022
    #2
    CaboFly

    CaboFly Active Member

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    Anybody have experience or preference with the following brands...

    Aere Fenda-sox
    Polyform Elite Fender cover
    Fender Fits Series
  3. motoryachtlover, May 7, 2022
    #3
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I had my boat painted with what I believe to be Awlcraft 2000 about 3 years ago. My experience is that my fenders (without covers) are not scratching it. Don’t know if gelcoat is more or less scratch resistant but I have a 23 Everglades on a floating dock and the fenders without covers do seem to scratch that hull, which I assume is gelcoat. The scratches are easily polished out. Regarding the boat I had painted I just had the yard go over some places on the hull that had rubbed on things. So if you are picky about your boats appearance I think you will want the boat touched up every 3 years or so.
  4. gr8trn, May 7, 2022
    #4
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    Tough to answer. If the fender covers can be always clean and rinsed of all abrasive dust, salt, pollen and what ever else might be clinging to the fabric you may be safer with covers. Otherwise no covers.
  5. Capt Ralph, May 7, 2022
    #5
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Great reply. The covers hold more salt and pollutants. On a regular fender, these usually wash off with the rain and regular boat washings.
    Also, Awlgrip products do stand up to some friction. They also have their own wash and polish to help.
    Still, I believe fender covers do more harm than good from month to month on any surface.
    I know I'm going to catch some flake here, but these are my observations.
    Norseman, cleanslate and captholli like this.
  6. cleanslate, May 10, 2022
    #6
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    As long as you can tie up on all four sides of the dock I wouldn’t put any fenders over other than some emergency fenders tied to the dock as long as it’s a floating dock.

    fenders will scratch and rub the paint overtime if it’s constantly rubbing in the slip.

    I tie both my boats up from all four corners , just right , so my boat never touches the dock yet it’s close enough to board the boat from the steps.
    I have a weird dock my bow lines are on pilings and my stern lines +2 spring lines are on the floating section of the dock.
    If you have a floating dock can you keep an eye on your lines , keep them snug, there’s no need for fenders whatsoever to hang from the boat. Again this only applies if you can have two bow lines and two stern lines on the boat to the dock.

    I never had much luck with fender covers like the other said they just pick up dirt debris splinters what have you and get stuck in the fabric they might last a week or so and then they’re trash.
    chesapeake46 and bayoubud like this.
  7. SplashFl, Jul 23, 2023
    #7
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    Over a year later. Curious what you used and how it worked out ?
  8. CaboFly, Jul 23, 2023
    #8
    CaboFly

    CaboFly Active Member

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    Polyform balls with polyform covers when traveling.
    In boat shed Taylor Made rollers with Cape Hatteras fleece covers.

    Still getting used to paint.
  9. Capt Ralph, Jul 23, 2023
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Relax.
    These latest paint technologies are tougher than gel-coat.
    Got to let it sit for a few weeks first.

    Any blems need to be wet sanded out and fixed ASAP before the hard cure.

    I painted my historic BlackFin hull in black AwlGrip.
    Years later, she still looked fresh despite laying on a floating dock with dirty fenders.
    I miss that boat.
  10. SplashFl, Jul 23, 2023
    #10
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    Well that's all encouraging. Unfortunately city won't permit dolphin pilings on my narrow 80 ft. canal so time to pay a visit to a local mooring products store and see what goodies they may have. Maybe a set of whips like a 43 across the canal uses; at least for a few months to let her fully cure.