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The repair procedure for gel coat blisters is similar to
the procedures outlined in the previous section on
cracks and gouges. There is an exception however, in
that the hull must dry out for several days or possibly
weeks before repairs can pro ceed.
To determine if the hull has dried sufficiently, tape one
square foot of household plastic wrap secure ly to the
hull bottom. Make sure all edges are sealed and let it
stand for twenty-four hours. If condensa tion has
accumulated under the plastic, the hull is still "wet"
and must be allowed to dry longer before repairing.
When the repair is completed, an application of an
epoxy barrier coat should be considered. This will help
prevent the possibility of reoccurrence of blisters. Your
Four Winns dealer or local ship store will have informa-
tion on barrier coat prod ucts.
P - 6
ANTIFOULING PAINT
Four Winns recommends antifouling or bottom paint
for boats which will be kept in the water for extended
periods of time. Antifouling paint reacts with water to
retard the growth of algae, barnacles and other marine
growth on the hull. In addition to marine growth, it
offers protection against excessive water pollution.
NOTICE
Most countries have introduced legislation
controlling the use of antifouling agents.
Always abide by these regulations.
Antifouling paint begins reaction upon contact with
water. After a season's use or sooner under certain
conditions, the antifouling paint may appear to be
dissolving. This is due to the paint's chemical emis-
sion that in turn retards marine growth. When this
occurs, refinishing is in order. For bottom paint line
location, refer to the Figure P1 at the end of this
section. Also consult your engine operator's manual
for their recommendations regarding drive-unit and
anti-fouling paint.
Four Winns recommends reapplication of the antifoul-
ing paint seasonally. The effectiveness of the paint will
be drastically reduced if used longer. Though
Four Winns has found the antifouling paints used to
provide good marine growth protec tion in most water,
other paints may be more effective in certain water
conditions. See a Four Winns dealer for recommenda-
tions on anti fouling paint use in your area.
Exterior Equipment - Section P
NOTICE
During surface preparation, the hull should be
sanded only enough to remove any for eign
matter, and loose paint. DO NOT sand deeply
into the gel coat, fiber glass cosmetic problems
could later result. After sanding, the surface
should be wiped with a rag treated with a
clean er recom mended by the antifouling paint
manufac turer. The surface must be clean and
slightly rough to ensure paint adhe sion.
Prior to application of the antifouling paint, the boat
owner may consider coat ing the hull bottom with
an epoxy coating. Four Winns recommends this
procedure as a preventive and effective means of
controlling osmotic blistering. Most major antifouling
paint manufacturers also supply a line of epoxy
undercoatings. Consult your Four Winns dealer for
recom mendations on epoxy undercoatings.
P - 7
HULL SUPPORT
Proper support of the hull while it is out of the water
is imperative. Due to the design complexi ties,
Four Winns does not recommend storage cradles
be homemade. The boat is a valuable piece of
equipment. DO NOT risk per ma nent damage to the
hull structure in an at tempt to save the cost of an
adequate support. Improp er support can lead to
serious and perma nent hull deformation.
While lifting the boat, ensure slings are in the
proper locations as indicated by the sling
location labels. Failure to do so may result in
permanent hull structure damage and will
invalidate the hull structure warranty.
NOTICE
When at tem pting to raise the hull, nev er allow
one end of the boat to rise first, while let ting
the op po site rest mo men tarily on the un der wa-
ter gear. Seri ous dam age to these com po n ents
could result. DO NOT place lifting straps on
underwa ter gear. Be sure the strap is against
the hull surface only and are in proper location
as indicated by the sling label location.
Owner's Manual Page 147
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