New owner with a few questions...

[dodgeem]

My wife and I have spent the weekend cleaning up the new boat, ripping our carpet and making a list of needs/wants and we've come got a few questions, I hope no one minds...

1. We need to replace the aft deck and hatches, we are thinking about using 3/4 marine grade plywood and wondering do we need to expoxy the wood on all sides? Also we've used Herculiner in white for a previous boat floor and it was pretty good but we are wondering if there is anything else better out there?

2. We've got some chaulky gelcoat on a few areas does anyone have any polishing products or tips to get it looking a little better?

3. We'd like to repaint the strips on the flybridge, is a standard poly paint the best to use?

4. Any advice on replacement carpet, we wne to lowes for unrelated stuff and since we were there we looked at house carpet and they have a brand that is supposed to absorb orders and fight mildew, anyone heard of this stuff?

I am sure I'll have a ton more and I've been readign through the older post trying to get up to speed as fast as possible. You guys are a wealth in knowledge!

Thanks,
Brian

[rossjo]

Congrats on the new F36!

1. We need to replace the aft deck and hatches, we are thinking about using 3/4 marine grade plywood and wondering do we need to expoxy the wood on all sides? Also we've used Herculiner in white for a previous boat floor and it was pretty good but we are wondering if there is anything else better out there?

Yes - perhaps a layers of fiberglass as well! See West Systems ...

2. We've got some chaulky gelcoat on a few areas does anyone have any polishing products or tips to get it looking a little better?

3M Finesse-It

3. We'd like to repaint the strips on the flybridge, is a standard poly paint the best to use?

2-Part marine polyurethane - I prefer Awlgrip

4. Any advice on replacement carpet, we wne to lowes for unrelated stuff and since we were there we looked at house carpet and they have a brand that is supposed to absorb orders and fight mildew, anyone heard of this stuff?

Lowes has nice Blue or Brown in/out carpet. Inexpensive and easy to install.

[Audrey II]

I'm afraid I can only help with the easy one polishing the hull. I wont take credit for this but several members of another forum told me about Buff Magic from yacht Brite this is a light compound great for getting rid of oxidation fading. You need to use a buffer to work it in and off, but it is easy to do. After you have cleaned the entire hull to your satisfaction use a different product called RejeX Polish this in a polish not a wax and it seals the gel coat and helps prevent oxidation in the future and leaves a great shine. This product lasts several months and is very easy to apply wide on wipe off. I have tried many other products in the past but this combination has worked the best for me and held up the longest. Among many others I have used 3M restorer wax in the past with OK result but I have found nothing as good and long lasting as this combination.

[dodgeem]

Thanks RossJo! I know I could count on this forum. I am trying to document the work and I'll try to post some photos soon. Funny you should say West, I was browsing their site when I checked here for a reply.

[JGedridge]

Hi Brian,

I am a new Trojan owner as is you, so congrats!

Buff the boat out with a buffer and some good heavy duty rubbing compound. If you use Finnese It, please be advised that when it says "use it in 2 x 2 areas" IT MEANS IT! Don't let it dry like wax because you wont get it off easy.

Try a local carpet place for carpet on the inside of the boat. I would not recommend going with an expensive carpet on the inside because of the high traffic areas. What I will do to this boat I have, and I have done to my past boats, is put a canvas runner in the salon to save the carpet. So don't go with the most expensive, or the cheapest. Mid grade is good.

What I used in the past to repaint stripes on my boat was Petit Boot Top. its a tiny jar that you could find at any local marine store, such as West Marine.

I don't know much about doing fiberglass work, but when you do resin it, make sure to get all sides to seal up the wood from moisture.

Joe

[prowlersfish]

3m restorer wax ( not on walking areas )

boot stripe paint or any marine paint should be fine . I would not use awl grip ,only because its such a small area and no big deal to redo it in 5 years now if painting the whole boat then I would . Brite side is a great one part paint to use

[rbcool]

West System is AWESOME. I like the fast cure hardner. I've even used it on house window wood that was prone to rot.
As far as waxing....... I give a mexican kid $20 an hour, he loves it.

Awlgrip is great, but a mofo to use

[captainmaniac]

Re decking : if you are not specifically looking for wood or wood-look, then Starboard http://www.kingstarboard.com/Products/Starboard.aspx is an option. Cut and shape it as if it was plywood, UV resistant, strong, holds up well.

Chalky hull - I just tend to persevere with Meguiar's #44 Colour Restorer (if things get real bad .. used to use that on my dark blue Liberator), or just #45 High Gloss Polish, with a topcoat of Flagship Premium Marine Wax. My hull is 30+ years old (the last 10 under my care), and still looking pretty good! Here is a shot after haulout this year, one coat Polish applied (still need to add the wax). Note the reflection of the other boats in the hull.

fbb283b6.jpg (40.66 KiB) Viewed 2418 times

Striping : I have also used Interlux Brightside Polyurethane with good results.

[dodgeem]

Great help guys. There is so much I want to do but I know I have to take an organizer approach. we have to get the essentials done before we invite our parents aboard and make them jealous!

[Audrey II]

I don't know if some of you have seen or tried this but you might be interested in watching this. I have tried the Pro polish that they recommend but iI like the RejeX better. I know many of you will think this is a load of you now what but I now many that swear by it as do I. I find at least in may case Diesel dirt sticks to the wax and I have to scrub off the wax to clean it then re-wax the area. With the polish is washes right off with a light scrubbing. Just food for thought
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I9cEDKSLHE

[prowlersfish]

RejeX seems to be good stuff But you still have to get the chalking off the hull first ( correct me if I am wrong) , That why I used 3m restore/ wax . I have use RejeX on the transom and it make getting the diesel soot ok easier .

[wowzer52]

My rear deck/cockpit has been replaced with marine plywood with 3M 4200 caulking. Hatch cut in and oak framed. I coated my deck with 2 coats of "no-skid" tinted to white. When I get a chance I'll get some pics and post them. I have not used "Starboard" but have heard good things about it.

[Audrey II]

RejeX seems to be good stuff But you still have to get the chalking off the hull first ( correct me if I am wrong) , That why I used 3m restore/ wax . I have use RejeX on the transom and it make getting the diesel soot ok easier .

This is why I post the link to the video the buff magic is a compound to get rid of the oxidation chalkyness. You can't put the Rejex over wax not even the 3M restorer wax it is a wax and polish needs to be applied to a stripped gel coat. Check out the video I used to use the 3M restorer also but this works much better and easier.
Not bad for a 96'