AVOID SURFACE CONTAMINATION BEFORE EPOXY APPLICATION

By The West System Technical Staff

The old saying “cleanliness is next to godliness” is certainly true when preparing a surface for an epoxy application. If a surface isn’t clean, there may be adhesion problems. But well-intentioned cleaning often results in contaminants being deposited on the surface. Knowing how to identify potential contaminants, how to avoid them and how to determine if a surface is clean will ensure that your next epoxy application will be problem free.

OIL, GREASE, WAX

Unless there’s good evidence an organic contaminant is present, there’s no reason to wipe the surface with an organic solvent. Acetone, lacquer thinner and proprietary mixtures are solvents that remove organic contaminants such as oil, grease and wax.

But, cleaning with solvents may do more harm than good. Solvents are capable of dissolving contaminants found in rags and depositing them on the work surface. For example, silicone, a mold release, is an ingredient in many fabric softeners. A surface can be contaminated by silicone from using a supposedly clean rag straight from the laundry.

In addition, many solvents dissolve man-made fibers found in rags. A wipe down with acetone can deposit plastic on the very surface you are trying to clean.

If you need to use a solvent to remove oil, grease or wax, employ plain white or unbleached paper towels. Wipe the solvent on with fresh paper towels. Remove the solvent while it’s still wet and change paper towels frequently to avoid re-depositing the contaminants on the surface.

SANDING DUST

Besides the dust, a freshly sanded surface is about as clean as it can get. Refrain from rubbing your hand over it to check for smoothness. Unless you are wearing a clean glove, the naturally occurring oil that helps protect your skin has just been spread all over the surface. Not only does this contaminate surfaces, but the salt on your skin also speeds corrosion of metal surfaces, which may cause adhesion problems.

Every last particle of sanding dust does not need to be removed to have good adhesion. Simply remove the bulk of it and consider the remaining dust epoxy filler. Excellent methods for getting rid of sanding dust include vacuuming, sweeping with a non-contaminated bench brush or washing it off with water.

The manufacturers of sticky tack rags maintain that wiping a surface with their products won’t leave a residue. It’s likely the rags actually do leave a residue, it just is dissolved by solvents in most paints and varnishes. Epoxy, in contrast, contains none of these aggressive solvents. The residue from tack rags can cause adhesion difficulties and fisheyes in subsequent coats. An effective alternative, dry static wipes, leave no residue.

Although it’s common practice to use compressed air to remove sanding dust, it is not recommended. Aside from the mess created by blowing dust, it’s possible that blowing compressed air on the surface will contaminate it with compressor oil or water.

HOW CLEAN IS CLEAN?

An easy way to tell if the prepared surface is truly clean is to wash it with water. This unsophisticated water break test works on the principle that most contaminants repel water. Apply water using a clean pad. If it sheets off the surface evenly, that part is clean. If the water channels or beads on certain areas, the surface will need additional cleaning.

This test is simple to perform on both large and small areas. To be effective, the water must be free of debris, contaminants and surfactants. The water break test will not indicate soap residue or other water-soluble films, but it will help remove them.

Some materials don’t allow good epoxy adhesion, no matter how well you clean the surface. However, most adhesion problems can be traced back to some form of surface contamination. For the best possible results make sure the substrate is clean.

Boat Care and Feeding

NEW ECO-FRIENDLY SHRINKWRAP

With its antimicrobial coating, Dr. Shrink’s BioShrink Shrinkwrap resists the development of microorganisms under the cover. It hinders growth of mildew, mold, algae and bacteria, including E. coli, so there will be no surprises when unwrapping a boat or RV.

Committed to protecting the environment, this shrinkwrap is environmentally friendly. Its coating exhibits no harm to natural surroundings.

Dr. Shrink is a full-service, full-circle supplier of shrinkwrap and installation accessories. The company also offers REBAG, a recycling program for used shrinkwrap in the U.S. and Canada.

A 20-foot by 100-foot 8 ml roll of BioShrink Shrinkwrap retails for $240.

dr-shrink.com // (800) 968-5147


HULL CLEANING GETS SAFE

Bio-Kleen Hull Kleen is an environmentally safe, commercial strength, fast-acting fiberglass hull cleaner that quickly removes the waterline, algae, lime, scale, rust, scum and chalking with very little effort. It is designed as an aggressive, one-step, spray-on, spray-off cleaner that dissolves deposits. Not only is the product effective and non-toxic, it is aromatic, emitting no harsh fumes or burns.

A quart bottle retails for $9.95, one gallon for $19.95, five gallons for $80.00. It is also available in 55-gallon drums.

biokleen.com // (800) 240-5536


WOODEN DECK TREATMENT

The WoodCleaner + Brightener is a two-stage treatment designed to remove all traces of dirt and grease from a deck and then return the wood to its natural color. Once the surface has been prepared with the Cleaner + Brightener, the new WoodProtector can be applied. These products from Holmenkol work together to ensure that teak or other hardwood decks are restored and fully protected against the elements.

WoodProtector is a water-based nano coating that not only restores the original color of a wooden deck, but also provides a fully water resistant, non-slip deck surface. In addition, the nano structure of the product offers protection from moisture, salt, algae and moss. This structure also ensures very high and long-lasting protection from UV rays to prevent the wood from bleaching over time.

During the process of application, the nano particles organize themselves in layers and completely cover the surface with a multi-layered coating. The layered structure means that the coating resists abrasion, because if one layer is damaged, a deeper layer is exposed and acts as a protection to the rest.

The new products are the first to be launched following Holmenkol’s agreement with Nanovations, the Australian coating technology company.

holmenkol.com // (508) 674-7700


ECOLOGICAL BOAT WASH & WAX AND HEAVY DUTY BOAT WASH

Ecover has launched its new ecological Boat Wash & Wax and Heavy Duty Boat Wash. The low-foaming cleansers use the power of nature to clean and shine fiberglass, metals and painted marine surfaces.

Both products are phosphate-free and made from plant and mineral-based ingredients, including coconut surfactants, carnauba wax and citric acid, to naturally remove dirt, oil and grease. Wash & Wax product leaves behind a protective plant-based wax coating.

As with all Ecover products, Boat Wash & Wax and Heavy Duty Boat Wash quickly and completely biodegrade with minimum impact on aquatic environments.

Even Ecover bottles and labels leave a lighter carbon footprint and are made of polyethylene. The cap is made of polypropylene. Polyethylene and polypropylene are 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled together using a low energy process.

Ecover Boat Wash & Wax retails for a suggested price of $7.00, and Ecover Heavy Duty Boat Wash retails for $8.50.

ecover.com // (800) 449-4925


Royal Purple Motor Oil

Whether your watercraft is two-cycle or four-cycle, Royal Purple Motor Oil increases horsepower, saves fuel and reduces heat, wear and emissions.

Royal Purple’s unsurpassed oxidation stability allows for extended oil drains and fewer oil changes. This saves you time and money and reduces the impact on the environment.

Royal Purple’s performance advantages come from a blend of synthetic oils plus Royal Purple’s proprietary Synerlec technology. Royal Purple Motor Oil is compatible with other mineral and synthetic marine motor oils.

Suggested retail price for a quart of Royal Purple Motor Oil is $8.57.

royalpurple.com // (281) 354-8600


ODORZOUT POUCHES

Odorzout All Surface Pouches are an excellent way to keep an area odor-free. The All Surface Pouches are 100 percent natural zeolite minerals, packaged in a convenient breathable bag.
The pouches are extremely easy to use. Just open the outer plastic bag and place the unopened inner bag anywhere there is an unwanted odor, and remember to leave an opening for air circulation.
The inner bag lets the zeolite minerals absorb the odors through the pouch material without any dust, powder or odors seeping back out.

Keep your boat cabin odor-free by placing several pouches strategically around the inside, including in storage compartments. This product also works well on coolers after fishing or outings. Just place an Odorzout All Surface Pouch inside and keep the cooler cracked open a little bit for air circulation.

The All Surface Pouches are made to be used in smaller areas but still need air circulation for maximum effectiveness. For larger problem areas, use the pouches in conjunction with Odorzout All Surface Granules.

Odorzout products do not have any perfume or chemical smells and are 100 percent safe for pets and people.

Suggested retail price of the All Purpose Pouch is $9.99.

Odorzout // (800) 887-8465

Huron Yacht Club

From its austere beginning on the banks of the Huron River in 1955, the Huron Yacht Club (HYC) has emerged as one of the premier clubs in the western basin of Lake Erie. Offering a full-service restaurant and bar, HYC has been the place to be for members and transient boaters alike with club activities designed for both boaters and non-boaters.

The quaint town of Huron, with its proud history as a fishing village, offers a relaxing atmosphere. If you’re inclined to pick up the pace Thunderbird Hills golf course, Sawmill Creek golf course and the famed amusement park, Cedar Point, are just a short ride away.

There is no view comparable to the sights from HYC’S top-deck dining room. Seating for up to 150 HYC members and Inland Lakes Yacht Association (ILYA) guests provides unique views of the Huron River, Municipal Boat Basin, HYC Marina, the Huron Lighthouse and beautiful Lake Erie. The fullservice menu features fresh cut steaks, pork chops, Lake Erie yellow perch, an array of salads and sandwiches and freshly prepared daily specials. Reservations are encouraged.

The club’s friendly bar staff is eager to help you relax, unwind and put aside the trials of your hectic daily life, if just for a little while. Cocktail hour specials on house wine, domestic beer and house liquors each Wednesday through Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Whether you need intimate dining for two in the top deck main dining room, luncheon meeting in the Captain’s Room (also newly remodeled) or cook-out for 100 on the Riverside Patio, the Huron Yacht Club has something for everybody, including a power and a sail fleet that cruises all summer and into September.

Guest docks are limited to members of the ILYA, but HYC’s proximity to the Huron Boat Basin provides more than 100 docks for your use. Either way, it won’t be difficult to find your boat as the night winds down. The club can fill your fuel tanks with either gasoline or diesel, as well as give you a pump out at its gas dock.

huronyachtclub.com

Man Overboard

By Ted McDermott

Sometimes it’s a storm. Sometimes it’s a collision. Sometimes, though, it’s something as simple as a dirty windshield that leads to a man overboard event. Take Kriss Anderson’s case, for example.

As she writes in Saved by the Jacket, the National Safe Boating Council’s collection of true on-the-water stories, she and a couple of companions were cruising downriver on a nice day. Everything was fine and easy, except for the salty spray that was obscuring their windshield. So, she did the natural thing: “I took a towel and spray bottle of window cleaner and worked my way up to the windshield on the narrow gunnels of the boat. Having done a fine job cleaning the window, I turned to go back aft to the cockpit.”

The next thing she knew, she had slipped, fallen and slid over the side of the 28-foot cabin cruiser. On her way down, she scraped herself on the boat. She landed in the water on her back. Nearby, a pair of propellers turned beneath the water

Luckily, Kriss, a member of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and an experienced, savvy boater, did a smart thing: she used her feet to push herself away from the vessel.

The skipper did a smart thing too. He saw her back there, adrift in the water, and immediately yelled out, “Man overboard!” In so doing, he took the first step in executing the proper procedure for a man overboard event and ensuring Kriss’s rescue.

Should someone go overboard from your boat, do what her skipper did and yell that phrase as loudly as possible. Then, point to the person in the water. It’s vital that you lock your eyes on them and never, no matter what, take your eyes off the person in the water. If it’s night, use a flashlight.

Next, throw a floatation device, ideally a Type VI device such as a life ring or horseshoe buoy, to the victim. Tossing it underhand is best, as the device will go farther than it otherwise would.

Then stop the boat, check your headings and turn the boat around 180 degrees. Some GPS units have a Man Overboard Button, which provides you the return course back to the spot where you first pressed it. Without this technology, just add or subtract 180 from your course and steer there. Approach the swimmer so that he or she is upwind of the boat.

If you have a floatable retrieval line, fasten one end to a secure railing and toss the other end to the person requiring rescue. The victim should position the loop under his armpits, so he can be pulled to the side of the boat and hefted up into the vessel.

Luckily for her, Kriss Anderson was wearing a lifejacket when she fell into the river, and she easily was able to swim back to the boat from a few feet away. If you find yourself distressed in the water with or without a PFD, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of survival.

Though you’ll probably do it anyway, it is good to shout and try to attract attention when you fall overboard. Once you are in the water, try to let the crew know where you are by putting up a hood, splashing water or waving your arms.

Do not swim after the boat, but do swim to any floating device that’s thrown into the water. Trying to catch up with the boat can make it more difficult for your potential rescuers to keep track of your location. Then, wait as calmly as possible for the boat to circle and return. When it does, look for a retrieval line or throw rope.

All of these steps help, but the most important thing you can do to increase your likelihood of surviving such an event is simple: wear a PFD.

By wearing a lifejacket, Kriss Anderson survived going overboard without much grief. By yelling “man overboard” and cutting the engines, her skipper helped keep her rescue simple. If they hadn’t handled themselves so well, it’s easy to imagine how sticky the situation could have become.

It may seem unlikely that someone will go overboard from your boat, but it is always a possibility. Sometimes it begins with something as simple a dirty window. Follow the above steps, and you may ensure that it ends with a successful rescue.

New Products

GREEN-GAS AIR CONDITIONING UNITS

The new EnviroComfort and EnviroCool air conditioning units from Dometic Environmental are designed with a small footprint for easy retrofit into boats of all types and sizes. All air conditioning components, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator, blower and other associated subsystems, are mounted on a single chassis. The quiet high-velocity blower can be rotated for discharge in horizontal or vertical directions and the blower motor design eliminates overhang and saves space. To aid with corrosion resistance, the condensate drain pan is stainless steel.

These air conditioners will be marketed under the Dometic brand name through the company’s aftermarket distribution networks and will replace Dometic’s CabinMate, CoolMate and Zephyr products.

The reverse-cycle EnviroComfort unit provides both heating and cooling for year-round comfort and comes with a digital display/control panel, while the cooling-only EnviroCool product uses a mechanical thermostat switch. Both styles are offered in seven different capacities ranging from 3,500 to 17,000 BTU. Both systems are packaged as complete installation kits that include all necessary seawater and air-distribution components.

dometicenviro.com //


ANGLER’S UTILITY TOOL

The 2Handee angler’s utility tool, developed by the 2Handee Tackle Co., is built to handle a variety of important fishing tasks.

Strong cutting jaws are specially designed to slice cleanly through monofilament and modern super-braids. A super sharp, serrated knife blade is ideal whether cutting rope or cutting bait and folds securely away when not in use. The 2Handee tool also features an integrated and replaceable grooved sharpening stone that helps maintain that “sticky sharp” effect on your hook; it is also great for touching up a dull fillet knife.

Another technique of top tournament and recreational anglers is to custom tune crankbaits, which ensures that they run straight and optimize their fish-catching performance. The 2Handee tool boasts unique tuning notches specially designed to custom tune crankbaits, along with a jig eye reamer to quickly remove excess paint from jig heads.

To help dislodge hooks and promote safe catch-and-release angling, the 2Handee also features a handy hook disgorger.

The suggested retail price of the 2Handee utility tool is $10.99.

2Handee.com // (859) 223-2277


ANTENNA EXTENDS Wi-Fi RANGE






Shakespeare Electronic Products Group’s new Galaxy Style 5248 Wi-Fi Antenna helps extend the range of laptops and other Wi-Fi enabled devices that can be connected to external antennas. Boat owners can continue to work or play online, whether they’re at the dock or cruising along the shoreline.

This sturdy two-foot white antenna features an 8 dB gain and operates on the 2.4 GHz bandwidth. It incorporates high-tech PCB copper elements and includes an N-type connector. The 5248 Wi-Fi antenna’s one-inch, 14-thread stainless steel sleeve-collar ferrule design accommodates larger diameter coaxial cables. If necessary, the antenna can be replaced without rerunning the coax.

Compatible with Shakespeare’s 4187 and 5187 style mounts, this powerful little Wi-Fi antenna is DC-grounded. It carries a five-year limited warranty.

The Galaxy Style 5248 Wi-Fi Antenna has a suggested retail price of $239.95.

shakespeare-marine.com // 803-227-1590


Dock Wheel Mooring Solution

Dock Sentry created its Dock Wheel Mooring Solution to solve flooding dilemmas in rising water situations for boats docked in periodic flooding or rising tide areas on stationary or floating docks.

Simply drop the Dock Sentry over the pole (up to 2 3/4-inch o.d.), secure mooring line to tie position on the top of the Dock Sentry pipe (above float retainer) and secure a second line to the second Dock Sentry (secure one at the stern and one at the bow). When exiting and entering the dock, a third unit can also act as a docking wheel to help guide the boat into and out of the slip. Dock Sentry eliminates the need to wade through flood waters to retie the boat.

Dock Sentry holds the boat in place but allows up and down movement of the boat during flooding and receding water periods, while still keeping the boat in the same relative position to the dock. The heavy-duty, vinyl product is made to be extra durable and is U.V. resistant.

The Dock Sentry Dock Wheel can be purchased at DockSentry.com and retails for $69 for the 12-inch size (float diameter), $79 for the 16-inch size and $129 for an anodized aluminum telescoping five-foot pole and mounting bracket.

docksentry.com // 866.272.2205


FOR POWER AND SAILBOAT SAFETY

Signal Mate is a battery operated light/horn signal package for enhanced boating safety in conditions of restricted visibility and in emergency situations such as engine breakdown.

Signal Mate is set on deck in fog and other low visibility conditions and assists the helmsman by automating the sound and light safety signals required by the Coast Guard Navigation Rules. In emergency conditions, an SOS signal, both light and sound, is selected.

The heart of the unit is a waterproof controller featuring push buttons to select sound/light signals, danger doubt and SOS. Light and horn can be operated alone or together with manual or automatic operation.

The complete package is contained in a water-resistant case that includes the panel controller, seven amp/hour re-chargeable battery, AC and DC chargers, 106 db horn and 360-degree high intensity LED light.

In operation, the horn and light are removed from the carrying case and mounted on top of it. The package is then secured to the foredeck or cabin top.

The panel controller is available as a separate unit and can be panel or bracket mounted and wired to a vessel’s light and/or horn systems.

The Signal Mate portable kit has a retail price of $399, the flush mount version is priced at $279 and the console mount retails for $299.

signalmate.com // (410) 675-4901


SBC ADVANCED PLUS BATTERY CHARGERS

Capable of charging several groups of batteries at a time, the Mini, Low, Medium and Hi-Power SBC Advanced Plus Battery Chargers from Quick are equipped with three-stage, automatic charging and multiple outputs. On models with maximum output current ranging from 30 to 80 amps, the CAN-BUS interface can also be used for data transfer.

The Hi-Power SBC Advanced Plus Battery Chargers come with a digital sharing system that enables up to three of these units to be placed in parallel to charge battery banks up to 2,400 Ah.

Several protection features prevent overheating of the batteries (with optional sensors), short circuit, high voltage, overload and polarity reversal. The units can operate in temperatures between -5° to +160° F and deliver full power even with low supply voltage.

Compatible with all types of generators, these chargers meet the majority of onboard requirements with output currents ranging from eight to 240 amps. Universal AC and DC input versions are available.
Optional accessories include Quick’s RDS Remote Panels that monitor the battery charger’s status through the CAN-BUS interface. Easy to install, the RDS 1520, RDS 1530 and RDS 1540 are compatible with the Medium and Hi-Power SBC Advanced Plus Battery Chargers.

Suggested retail prices for the chargers range from $329 for the eight-amp model to $1,575 for the 80-amp version.

quickusa.com // (410) 768-5991