Antifouling & Leaving on the Hard

[hoppy]

Before my boat was taken out of the water last week I was advised that I should put it back in the water soon after the anti-fouling is complete and dried. The reasoning was that if it is left to dry too long it might crack.

Now I'm stick with a dilema... I ordered a new prop which I thought was due to arrive at the marina today, so the anti-fouling is been finished off this morning. I have now noticed that the UPS tracking site says the prop will arrive Tuesday 26th and not today (I must have looked at only the Tuesday part).

So now I have a €450 question, should I put the boat back in the water and get it hauled out again and when the prop arrives, or should I leave it on the hard for the week and risk cracking?

If the cracking makes it more likely that at the end of the season the hull needs to be re-sanded and anti-fouled (after 8 weeks sailing) as opposed just a hose down.... then I think it will be worth dipping it back in whist waiting for the prop.

Any thoughts about what problems may be caused letting it dry for a week?

[savoir]

International recommend that someone in your position give the underbody of hull a light wet sanding just before launch. Sitting in a yard for two weeks will not be long enough to crack the paint. At worst it will just oxidise.

[hoppy]

Thanks..

Is there a possibility there is a difference if the boat has only been on the hard for a week as opposed to drying out for the winter?

[robertfraser]

Would wetting the bottom down with a hose regularly work?

[Pete7]

Hoppy, what make of antifoul paint?

Pete

[witchcraft]

Much depends upon the type of anti-fouling paint. Some are *multi season* making this less of an issue.
Be careful if you go the sanding route and wear the appropriate mask and goggles. This stuff is NOT good for you.
Contact tech support for your brand of paint, they will have the correct answers for your paint.
Fair Winds

[noelex 77]

All anifouling paint has a minimium and maximium time between application and imersion usually something like 2 days to 3 months.
Look up the paint on the web and you will find those details.

It sounds to me like the boatyard wants you back in the water for some other reason.

[hoppy]

Not sure on the anti fouling. I have a German guy who has been looking after my boat who supplied the af and advised on the launching. He originally was going to do the work but the marina has banned outside workers. I guess I will call him. Thanks

[savoir]

Originally Posted by robertfraser

Would wetting the bottom down with a hose regularly work?

No. The idea behind wet sanding is to remove the oxidation not the wet the paint.

An alternative to sanding in the yard would be to give the boat a rub with scourer pads a few days after launch. Same result.