Good boat wax

[Manipulator]

I want to wax the bottom of my boat. I hear a good wax job can add 5MPH to your boat. Are there any waxes that you would recommend? Which company makes a good durable wax (carnuba)?<br /><br />What about algae growth? I leave my in the water over the summer and it often gets caked with growth. Is there a wax of some kind that will prevent this?

 

[vipzach]

Re: Good boat wax

Good question manipulator, I have been wondering the same thing. I am curious to see what others think. Sorry I don't have a good answer for you though.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Good boat wax

If you leave your boat in the water you will have to haul it and wax it once a week to prevent any growth.I recommend a hard anti fouling bottom paint.It will prevent any growth and keep your speed up.I cant imagine what the bottom looks like unpainted after a season in the water.How did you even get on plane?? Charlie

 

[vipzach]

Re: Good boat wax

After doing a little checking on the web here is a link to a wax that I think I am going to try. Is your boat fiberglass? If not this won't work.<br /> http://www.nealsharbor.com/store/303_aerospace_protectant.html

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Good boat wax

The boat is in the water for about 4 1/2 months a year. I usually park it in a cove and get the ole floatation cushion out and a beer and float around it cleaning it off. It doesn't get that bad. I take a plastic brush to the lower unit as well. I should just invest in getting a lift. <br /><br />vipzach...I'll check it out

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Good boat wax

I could recommend Collinite # 885 Paste Fleetwax.<br />Great stuff.

 

[tvbjr]

Re: Good boat wax

I too would have to recommend Collinite # 885 Paste Fleetwax

 

[salty87]

Re: Good boat wax

waxing the bottom? won't that slow you down by creating drag? wax doesn't last particularly long in the marine environment, can't imagine it would underwater.<br /><br />racers sand the botom of their hulls to reduce drag.<br /><br />edit: just checked the link....303 is good stuff for UV protection but won't do much for marine growth.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Good boat wax

Originally posted by Manipulator:<br /> I want to wax the bottom of my boat. I hear a good wax job can add 5MPH to your boat. Are there any waxes that you would recommend? Which company makes a good durable wax (carnuba)?<br /><br />What about algae growth? I leave my in the water over the summer and it often gets caked with growth. Is there a wax of some kind that will prevent this?

Take a look at the following thread. Sounds like any major speed increases will come from cleaning the hull; waxing it seems to be a controversial subject w.r.t. speed. Soome swear it will slow your boat rather than speed it up. <br /><br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010797#000010

 

[bomar76]

Re: Good boat wax

DO NOT wax the planing surface if you are looking to increase speed.<br />It's well know in go fast boating.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Good boat wax

Theory is air under your hull will make you go faster. rough is better for speed, instead of wax try using good quality anti-fouling paint.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[xltier]

Re: Good boat wax

figueres! i just got a 21 footer 305 mercruiser last year and sanded all the rough looking black bottom paint that was on it.thinking smooth was better.it stays ona trailer mostly.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Good boat wax

Yeah but does the roughened surface produce enough air or lift to conquer the additional drag it produces? I would think that using a product like "Nu Finish" would produce less drag as it's is so slippery and isn't a wax. What about that Rain-X stuff you put on your windshield that makes rain drops and bugs just bounce off? I know surfers wax their boards so their feet get better traction but downhill skier's wax their ski's to make them go faster.<br /><br />A buddy of my Dad waxes the bottom of his boat every year and swears it gives him an additional 5 MPH. Then again, I'm not sure what he is using. It could be a polymer like Nu-Finish which is good for 52 boat runs lol!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Good boat wax

Did you read the link I posted above and the links contained in the linked link? <br /><br />EXCERPT:<br />"The wax increases the surface tension (that's why water beads on it). What happens is surface tension actually causes the water to grip the hull surface directly and then it's ripped away. The friction surfaces are the hull and the water." <br /><br />If you think about it in terms of water surface tension rather then lift or drag it might provide you with a different perspective. I'm not exactly sure about difference between wax and a polymer finish, but the polymer finishes produce beading similar to waxing. <br /><br />Now the Rain-X stuff on windshields does the opposite, makes water sheet off, but don't know what the effect might be on your gelcoat (remember, it's made specifically for glass), or on water surface tension on the bottom of your boat. But it seems like that would have more promise than wax or polymers. Why not call Rain X & see if they can provide you with more info on safety and possible benefit for that type of application?<br /><br />After reading what the experts say (these guys are trying to scratch out an extra 1 or 1.5 mph), I'd be surprised if your dad's friend saw anything near a 5mph increase due to waxing. Does he run his boat in waters where he might build up extreme fouling on the boat hull? If so, perhaps the cleaning rather than the waxing might provide such a boost in speed?

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Good boat wax

He does keep his boat in the river up in Minnesota, possibly boats on the Mississippi. As far as the RainX application, I doubt it would last long on the bottom of a boat, just like a polymer or wax wouldn't. Personally it was just an idea to me. I'm not that concerned as my boat is no hotrod. A 5 MPH increase in speed would be nice. <br /><br />Any good waxes with UVA/UVB protection built in?

 

[salty87]

Re: Good boat wax

manipulator, seems like you're willing to try more unconventional ideas....303 is an excellent UV protectant. it's also alot easier to apply than wax. this is provided you meant for above the waterline. wax washes off fairly quickly, so does 303. might as well go with the one that's easier to apply.<br /><br />i've tried it and it seemed to work. i can't really prove that a coat of wax did more or less. might be something you'd like to try. it's a must-have for vinyl seats.<br /><br />just spray on (sparingly) and wipe. you don't want so much that it leaves streaks.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Good boat wax

Take a look at this<br />www.hydromer.com/Seaslide.htm

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Good boat wax

I too recommend Collinite

 

[trog100]

Re: Good boat wax

i bought my boat last summer.. it had sat in the water for three years bascially unused except for the odd engine start..<br /><br />its a twenty foot boat with 3.0 merc.. at WOT it did about 15 mph with a wake like the queen mary behind it and all u could see was the sky.. in a pic it looke quite impressive..<br /><br />it had two inches of fresh water mussels all over the hull bottom.. one hell of a job getting em off.. he he<br /><br />the boat now has international ablative anti foul paint under the water line..<br /><br />it takes about a week for a thick green algae stuff to form on the drive or any underwater area that dosnt have chemical protection..kind of amazes me how quick the stuff appears.. my boat is moored in the UK and in a river/marina freshwater enviroment.. from what i read its all down to your local area conditions as to how much the local wild-life like your boat..<br /><br />it does slow it down thow.. or at least carrying my own private mussel colony did.. he he he..<br /><br />bit weird the marina i keep my boat it.. bloody great carp swim round the boat waiting to be fed.. ducks make nests on the swim platform.. swans tap on the hul sides asking u to feed em.. he he.. its getting more like wild life sanctuary than a marina..<br /><br />trog100

 

[Phantom17]

Re: Good boat wax

Anything with Teflon. Might not help with the growth, but it keeps the oily s!@# off the back of mine. Good luck