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Topcoat not everywhere where it should be

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 311 / 312 / 315
Forum Description: 311 / 312 / 315 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10603
Printed Date: 28 March 2024 at 15:01
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Topcoat not everywhere where it should be
Posted By: Pepea
Subject: Topcoat not everywhere where it should be
Date Posted: 24 January 2018 at 13:32
Hi friends,
my understanding is that topcoat should protect all glasfibre on the inner side of the outer hull below water line. On my Hanse 315 (2016) I do find topcoat applied in many areas when I look under the floor boards or peek under the inner plastic shell. But in other areas the topcoat is missing (under the galley, under the forepeak locker, in the starboard saloon locker (while the port sied saloon  locker got its layer of topcoat).
I'd like to know:
a) How is your boat treated?
b) Do you regard topcoat as "neccessary" or as "nice to have"?
Best
Pepea


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Hanse 315 "Pepea"
Joined: 16 March 2017
Location: Hamburg, Germany



Replies:
Posted By: samuel
Date Posted: 24 January 2018 at 15:26
If you mean a coloured gel coat then no. My hanse 31 is white where it can be seen but green where it is not on view. The stringers in the bilges as are the areas under the engine etc are covered in white gel coat though. The hull under the sink etc has no white. The gel makes it smoother & less chance of glass splinters when wiping down


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Daydream Believer- Hanse 311- No GBR9917T- Bradwell Essex


Posted By: Pepea
Date Posted: 24 January 2018 at 16:52
Thanks Samuel, for your reply! 
By mentioning "topcoat" I indeed didn't refer to "gelcoat" (which for example covers the fibreglass on the outside). But some sort of white or grey "paint" that seals the fibreglass from the inside. Sorry for not having asked more precisely!
Somebody told me that all areas of glasfibre under the waterline should be protected with "topcoat" in order to prevent bilge water from penetrating the fabric. 
However I am not sure how important that is (if it's true at all). Your insides on that are very welcome!
The situation on your boat, Samuel, seems to be the same as on mine: some areas with topcoat, others "raw". That at least tells me that this is Hanse standard procedure and not an accidental omission in my case.
Best
Pepea


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Hanse 315 "Pepea"
Joined: 16 March 2017
Location: Hamburg, Germany


Posted By: StavrosNZ
Date Posted: 24 January 2018 at 20:26
Gents, the coloured smooth finish you refer to on the inside of the hull is in fact flowcoat not gelcoat, it is purely cosmetic designed to make wiping down and clean up easier and in areas you can see, to give an improved visual appearance.

All production boats will have this in areas easily accessed and none in areas that you cant easily access, this is to save time and money during the build. 

This is normal practice for production boats.


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Stephen
2010 H400 #691, Auckland, New Zealand



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