Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the questions below to view the answer. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please feel free to contact us by email.
- We have damaged our boat and we are on holidays. Can you get us going, fast?
- My friend is an autobody expert who refinishes cars. Why shouldn’t I get him to fix my boat?
- I have a large refurbishing project. Can I have the work completed in stages over multiple seasons
- Do you store boats?
- Why don’t you store boats?
- Do you paint boats?
- Can you paint below the waterline?
- My hull has blisters or small bubbles appearing below the waterline. Why is this happening?
- Can osmosis be prevented?
- What can I do if my boat currently has osmosis showing?
- Will you come and look at my boat to provide me with an estimate?
- Are estimates free?
- Can you handle/haul my boat?
- I have a deep draft sail boat , Can you handle and haul it?
- Do you operate year round?
- What is gelcoat? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
- What boat colour is most practical?
We have damaged our boat and we are on holidays. Can you get us going, fast?
We will do everything we can to expedite your repairs. We are very careful when we schedule during the summer months that we allow for unexpected repairs jobs. We understand that holidays are few and far between and will do everything within our control to get you on your way.
My friend is an autobody expert who refinishes cars. Why shouldn’t I get him to fix my boat?
Materials and application practices used in professional auto body repair will never stand up in the marine environment. We see several boats each year that have severe damage due to improper repair practices. These normally result in further deterioration and most often catastrophic effects on the boat structure.
What if you want your boat hull repaired? You should have a qualified marine fiberglass shop complete the work. Mechanics and autobody persons should not be allowed to dabble in fiberglass boat repair. Get the job done right the first time!
I have a large refurbishing project. Can I have the work completed in stages over multiple seasons?
Yes, we have on many occasions worked with our clients to schedule the job to carry through more than one season. Typically we recommend that structural issues should be addressed first, followed by any non-structural requests. Sometimes it makes more sense to spread the work over more seasons due to both budget and/or timing constraints. We try not to tie your boat up during the boating season if at all possible.
Do you store boats?
No, We only store boats that we are working on over the off-season.
Why don’t you store boats?
We have strong relationships with many area marinas who rely on boat storage to carry them through the long winter season. For a list of area marinas that we recommend you contact regarding boat storage, please click here.
Do you paint boats?
Yes, although we generally only paint boats as a last resort. For example, if your boat’s gelcoat is not able to be restored to a satisfactory condition and none of the other options we suggest work for you, we can paint your boat. In these cases we will be happy to apply a top quality marine paint finish to your hull sides and deck.
Can you paint below the waterline?
It is not advisable or recommended to apply topside paints to areas that will submerged. Only specific coatings that are designed for immersion can be used, and are usually formulated with epoxy resins which are far more water resistant.
My hull has blisters or small bubbles appearing below the waterline. Why is this happening?
Blisters and bubbles are caused by water being absorbed through the polyester gelcoat and entering the fiberglass. The little pockets of moisture swell causing blisters. This is a quick explanation only - there are literally hundreds of articles available online that further explain osmosis.
Can osmosis be prevented?
There are many epoxy barrier systems available that can be applied to your hull to prevent water absorption. Epoxies are much more water resistant than the polyester materials that most boats are produced with. Our experience shows that a properly applied epoxy system over a dry non blistered hull can virtually guarantee osmosis-free boat ownership, and ultimately increases a boat’s resale value.
What can I do if my boat currently has osmosis showing?
There two ways to treat osmosis. One is to completely remove the gel coat to expose the laminate and allow the hull to dry, and then apply an epoxy barrier to prevent future water penetration. The other method (if the osmosis is not too advanced) is to simply sand the hull below the water line and apply at least 5 coats of epoxy to the hull. This does not eliminate the blisters but will prevent any further moisture from entering your hull. The latter has proven to be quite effective, both in terms of cost and performance.
In our opinion, osmosis is mainly a cosmetic issue. Only in extreme cases does it lead to structural problems. The main issue is that if you intend to sell your boat many people will shy away from those with an existing osmosis condition.
Will you come and look at my boat to provide me with an estimate?
Yes, we can arrange to meet with you or your marina representative to assess your concerns and provide you with a written, guaranteed quote. In some cases an accurate quote may not immediately be possible, as damages may not be understood until some disassembly has been carried out.
Are estimates free?
Estimates are provided free of charge, except in rare circumstances !
Can you handle/haul my boat?
We are equipped to haul boats up to 9 tonnes with our hydraulic fifth wheel trailer and can arrange for transportation of boats up to 20 tonnes. We also have several smaller trailers that can handle boats from 12 to 30 feet in length.
I have a deep draft sail boat , Can you handle and haul it?
Yes, we have a fully adjustable steel shipping cradle that when used in conjunction with our hydraulic trailer can transport up to a 9 tonne sailboat, as per our license restrictions. We can always accommodate larger vessels through special arrangements.
Our shops are equipped with lifting devices to allow for dropping lead keels down for proper trunk repairs.
Do you operate year round?
Yes, we are a year-round establishment. Our modern service shop was custom built to facilitate our winter repair objectives. We easily maintain the minimum 72°F temperature required for fiberglass to properly cure in our workspace with an efficient in-floor radiant heat system. For details about our shop, please click here.
What is gelcoat? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
Gelcoat typically is polyester- or vinyl-based. It is basically resin with fillers and pigments added to give it color. Most boats come finished with gelcoat on the exterior. Many people assume it is paint. Gelcoat is designed to protect the fiberglass from the elements. The main benefit of gelcoat over a painted surface is that scratches in your gelcoated boat can be sanded out while similar scratches in a painted boat cannot. Another advantage is that gelcoat will stand up to normal wear and tear such as dock rubs. The disadvantage of gelcoat is that it is more sensitive to UV light, hence it will fade much quicker than a quality two-part urethane paint finish. For more information about gelcoat, please click here.
What boat colour is most practical?
One of the first things we ask when contacted about a potential repair is “what colour is it?” The reason is that when you own a white or off-white boat you can achieve excellent color matches with less effort, which generally translates in to lower repair costs . Another factor is that darker colours absorb more heat when sitting in the sun. This heat can actually burn the resin in you fiberglass hull, ultimately causing cracks and blistering. The most noticeable problem is that dark (red, green, blue, black) colours will fade much more quickly than light (beige, white, off-white) colours. The biggest benefit is that a light coloured boat will last much longer, period!