Procedures; General Maintenance; Thru-Hulls/ Sea-Valves; Gelcoat Repair - Back Cove Yachts Back Cove 30 Owner's Manual

8.1 General Maintenance

Routine maintenance of safety related and other
systems as well as the boat itself is required to
ensure safe and pleasant time on the water.
A. Thru-Hulls/ Sea-Valves
At each haul-out, all sea valves and thru-hulls should
be fully inspected. If the boat is left in the water year
round, it is recommended that each sea valve be
checked periodically. Before launching, and each
time the boat is used, each sea valve should be
checked for tightness, and to ensure that it is
functioning properly.
B. Bilge
The bilge should be checked for water at every use.
Strainers around the base of the pumps in the bilge
protect them from large foreign objects. They should
be checked and cleaned frequently.
C. Fire Extinguisher
Each fire extinguisher should be checked monthly.
D. Exterior Maintenance
Some maintenance of the exterior gelcoat is needed
for the boat to withstand the rigors of usage and keep
an attractive appearance.
Wash with a mild detergent and warm fresh water.
Rinse the entire boat with fresh water. The entire
topsides and superstructure should be waxed with a
high quality wax with UV filters at least once each
year in northern climates, and more often in areas of
greater sun exposure. Dark colored hulls require
more frequent waxing to maintain their glossy finish
as long as possible. Typically, painting will be
required after several years, in any case. It is advised
that anti-skid areas be left wax free.
E. Gelcoat Crazing
Hairline cracks may appear in the gelcoat at stress
areas in the deck molding. This is strictly a surface
condition in the gelcoat finish, and does not indicate
structural weakness. The gelcoat layer is not as
flexible as the fiberglass laminate underneath. Minor
cracks that develop over time are not unusual.
8 . 0 P r o c e d u r e s
F. Gelcoat Repair
Minor gelcoat damage may be repaired through use
of a gelcoat repair kit, complete with instructions,
available from various commercial suppliers. To
obtain the closest possible color match, purchase kits
prepared with the original gelcoat colors. As gelcoat
fades over time an exact match should not be
expected.
G. Gelcoat Blistering Below Waterline
The Back Cove 30 is built with a combination of
materials and laminating techniques which are most
effective at substantially reducing the likelihood of
blisters. All maintenance
designed to reduce the migration of water through the
gelcoat and into the laminate.
H. Bottom Painting
The most important part of blister prevention is
maintaining the thickness of the gelcoat. Doing so will
ensure the maximum effectiveness of the hull
laminate against blistering, as well as continued
coverage under the limited warranty.
If the bottom is to be sanded as part of preparing for
antifouling paint, an epoxy barrier system is
recommended
effectiveness of the laminate against blistering.
Following the barrier coat manufacturers' instructions
is required to maintain the osmotic blistering
warranty.
A solvent cleaner
instructions will assist in removing the mold release
and road oils from the hull.
Chemicals applied to the bottom shall be restricted to
water, detergents, fairing compounds, epoxy and
primers, commercial bottom solvent wash, and "no-
sand" gel coat primer.
Note:
Do not sand away epoxy primer in-way-of bow
thruster tunnel.
techniques
to maintain the
applied to manufacturers
must be
maximum