Boat Care & Feeding

Eco-Friendly Boat Hull Cleaning

Under an agreement with the ArmaKleen Company, SodaBlast Systems, manufacturer of eco-friendly boat hull cleaning systems, will use ARMEX®, the baking soda-based blast media from the makers of Arm & Hammer® Products.

In the SodaBlasting process, a non-destructive stream of air-driven, specially formulated baking soda under high pressure is first used to strip the antifoulant paint and open the blister. Then, to prepare the surface for repair and repainting, the affected area around the blister is feathered by split-second, swirled “micro-blasting.” This finishes the surface in preparation for repair. The entire process can be accomplished in one-tenth the time as traditional techniques, resulting in a properly prepared surface that is ready for blister repair and painting.

The SodaBlasting hull cleaning service is available from a network of over 160 company-trained, preferred SodaBlasting contractors worldwide.

sodablastboats.com // (800) 216-7632

Marine Metal Polish

The new YCP® - Marine Metal Polish contains a powerful yet eco-friendly formula that produces a big shine but doesn’t adversely impact the environment.

This new Marine Metal Polish has a silicone-free, semi-cream paste that polishes, protects and preserves all metals on boats.

It’s made from micro-fine, premium-grade oxide powders and environmentally-friendly ingredients that are blended into a semi-cream paste without the use of waxes or harmful petroleum distillates, making it safe for the waterways. The polish is uniquely packaged and heat-sealed to maintain its purity and consistency, ensuring that each jar remains fresh.

Marine Metal Products has teamed up with Amazon.com to sell YCP® - Marine Metal Polish online.
A 12-ounce container retails for $14.99.

yachtclubproducts.com // (888) 457-4463

Carbon and Glass Tapes Add Strength

Spars, centerboards and rudders are just a few of the places where WEST SYSTEM® Episize Unidirectional Carbon Tapes and Glass Tapes can be used to add strength and stiffness.

Carbon fiber tape provides stiff reinforcement while boosting tensile and compressive strength. It weighs 11.1 ounces, has a thickness of .015 inch and contains 144,000 fibers per inch of tape width. A polyester fill thread holds fiber bundles in place for easy handling and wet out.

Glass fiber tape is best used for epoxy projects where a little less rigidity is needed. Consisting of E-glass fiber, this tape isn’t as stiff as carbon tape, but is just as easy to handle and wet out. Average tape thickness is .0125 inch.

Episize Unidirectional Carbon Tape is available in 1.5- or 3-inch widths and in 12- or 50-foot lengths. Twelve feet of 1.5-inch width tape is $49.40 and 50 feet costs $128.10. For a 12-foot length of 3-inch width tape, the price is $60.90, while 50 feet costs $169.05.

Episize Unidirectional Glass Tape comes in 3-inch widths with a choice of 12- or 50-foot lengths. Twelve feet of glass tape costs $32.35 and 50 feet is $75.75.

westsystem.com // (866) 937-8797