We write and talk a lot about DIY chores here at the good ship Boating. From replacing old decking to wiring your boat for NMEA 2000 to installing trim tabs, and more, we often advise projects that will enhance your boat’s safety, ride, functionality and ease of use. But, did you ever think about waxing the boat’s finish in those terms?
We say you should. Who would argue?
For boats, shininess is akin to easier maintenance, enhanced performance and better resale or trade-in value. Let’s take a look at just how that works.
First, let’s look at the nub of the problem. The surface of most fiberglass boats is gelcoat, the hard, resin-based coating that gives it color and gloss. Gelcoat breaks down under exposure to the elements, especially from the ultra-violet rays contained in sunlight. The degradation occurs largely as pits and valleys in the coating, which is usually, but not always about 18 to 20 mils thick, about half a millimeter.
Once these pits and valleys occur, light doesn’t reflect evenly off the surface and so it appears duller. Also, these pits and valleys, which require magnification to see, by the way, hold specs of dirt and grime and pollutants, such as exhaust particles, further degrading the finish.
Plenty has been written by us, and by others, about the methods and products used to keep a fiberglass boat’s finish up and restore it when it has been let go. I invite you to search our website and YouTube channel to learn more This article focuses not on how to make a boat shiny, but rather why you should keep your boat shiny.
1. Easier Maintenance
A boat with a high-gloss finish will shed dirt, salt and bird droppings easier. That means you can spend less time cleaning at the end of each trip. It’s also a feedback loop: the waxes used to achieve gloss almost always inhibit UV degradation, which, as stated, is a big duller of gelcoat.
2. Shiny Looks Better
Besides pride of ownership, that means it will fetch a higher price, and or be easier to sell when it comes time for you to move into your next boat. Remember, you don’t really know what the cost of your boat is until you sell it.
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3. Inspection Factor
The third reason is related to reason No. 1 stated above. When you wax your boat and make it look shiny, you are looking and laying your hands on every portion of the exterior. That is an opportunity to look for cracking, blistering, delamination, loose fittings and more. Staying ahead of such things is important to keep your boat in the best shape.
4. Surface Tension
Now, a reason for the hull (at least below the water line) not to be super shiny applies to speed and efficiency. A super-smooth surface enhances laminar flow along the hull bottom: the water stays “attached” as it moves along the surface. It’s called surface tension. A layer of turbulence is what is desired for better speed and efficiency. This is the primary reason for step-hulls, and why racers actually wet-sand the bottom with 400 grit to create some surface turbulence.
Shine on, boaters!
