August 16th, 2010 by bbergman

Damage to the hull is one the worst things to happen to a boat and depending on the degree of repair necessary, it can be one of the most time-consuming and expensive ordeals.

Boat hull damage is caused by coming in contact with objects in the sea or the result of rot. But you can make a fiberglass boat hull look new again. Here are a few pointers:

If your boat has significant damage, haul it out of the water and do a thorough inspection of the entire surface; for boats with minor to moderate damage above the water line, the hull can be repaired while the boat is docked.

If you want to know if your boat hull might be damaged and in need of repair, you can tap the area in question with a screwdriver. You are generally looking to hear a solid noise, which means the damage is not extensive. If the noise is hollow, you could be looking at larger, more expensive problem.

One of the best solutions is sodablasting your fiberglass hull. “Sodablast Systems makes, in my opinion, probably the best and simplest blast unit I have ever seen,” said Terry (with Blaster Master in Canada). “It is extremely simpole to use and fill; training on it takes about 10 minutes.”

For more information about boat repair, visit www.sodablastboats.com

July 27th, 2010 by bbergman

The underside of the boat must be tight and smooth to enable the watercraft to float sufficiently; the boat bottom also needs to be strong and to ensure that fiberglass repair is effective.

A boat gliding across the water at 25 to 30 miles per hour and hitting waves spaced every few feet will create significant pressure on the boat bottom and causes vibration to travel through the fiberglass. You also want to make sure the gelcoat remains strong during the cleaning and restoring process.

Damage to boats can include gouges to the fiberglass caused by scrapes against rocks, debris, obstructions in the water, trailers from when the boats are removed and replaced and collisions.

Even leaving the boat in the water for long periods of time with little or no attention and maintenance can lead to a boat developing gelcoat damage and blisters.

Repairing broken fiberglass and damaged gelcoat along with restoring a boat hull by hand is a long and tedious process that can take several people multiple days to complete.

Tasks include sanding, buffing, glossing, blending, smoothing and painting. That’s why more people prefer sodablasting over any other solution available. Imagine calling someone out to do all this work in one or two days max while you focus on your specialty areas, whether it’s customer service, marketing, building boats, meeting with clients and more.

Soda blasting frees you up to focus on what you’re good at, but also makes your workers available for other jobs as well. You will quickly discover the cost and times savings by hiring a certified contractor to handle the job for you.

If you need to repaint the boat, you will also need to make sure you match the new colors up with existing colors for a decent – ideally, perfect – finish.

July 16th, 2010 by bbergman

SodaBlast Systems™ revamped its boat website and launched added several new features to www.SodaBlastBoats.com.

The new website provides resources, tips, advice and links for marine industry professionals, boat owners and restoration experts on green cleaning.

Get information on boat hull cleaning, tips on how to remove blisters without harming the gelcoat and locate a certified sodablaster.

SodaBlasting is a process that involves a network of certified, specially-trained, independent Preferred Contractors who rely on mobile equipment to do the job on-site. They install the plastic tenting around the boat, perform the SodaBlasting and then wrap up the paint and other residue for disposal.

Boat professionals and restoration experts prefer sodablasting because it saves time and money cleaning and sanitizing without using harsh chemicals. The new website also has information about how damaging it is to the hull or gelcoat when you use the wrong cleaning methods.

Sodablasting is ideal for the marine industry:

• Marine Industry for:
• Boat Buyers Inspections
• Hull Preparation
• Paint & Antifoulant Stripping
• Gelcoat Safe Stripping
• Hull Blister Preparation
• Eco-Friendly Hull Stripping

The website includes an interactive area that allows users to view the cleaning process and leave feedback for company officials.

June 15th, 2010 by bbergman

From the thrills of wakeboarding and waterskiing, to fishing, to simply enjoying the sunshine and fresh air of cruising along the coast, millions of Americans enjoy boats and related recreation every year. In 2005, recreational boating contributed approximately $37 billion to the nation’s economy. Read the rest of this entry »

June 14th, 2010 by bbergman

Recreational boating can be an expensive hobby, especially as you factor in fuel charges. Boaters are always looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption and slash gas spending while on the water. One way is to slow down cruising speeds, engine tune-ups and scheduling shorter trips.

Unlike driving a car, a boat’s engine often idles or is turned off while anchoring, floating or stationed at the dock. According to the Discover Boating trade group, those three functions are favorite on-the-water activities for recreational boaters.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 11th, 2010 by bbergman

Making the choice to be environmentally responsible can have positive results for the local waterways as well as your wallet. The National Marine Manufacturers Association recently published its simple steps for being an eco-friendly boater in 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

June 10th, 2010 by bbergman

Many marine cleaning products developed today demonstrate a commitment to clean water. Companies have developed non-toxic based biodegradable boat soaps, which have a minimal impact on the aquatic environment. We’ve also seen the introduction of color safe, oxygen release gels and cleansers that remove spots off of boats without using bleach or other hazardous materials.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 9th, 2010 by bbergman

Being a “green” boater or an advocate of sustainable practices are not limited to soda blasting and baking soda. It’s no surprise eco-conscious boaters are eager to incorporate other green solutions into their recreational activity.

Marine generator manufacturers have significant investments in green solutions that appeal to boaters, including products that limit carbon monoxide emissions – in some cases by 99 percent. Manufacturers also offer marine exhaust mufflers and catalyst systems to protect boaters and waterways by removing hydrocarbons from generator exhaust.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 8th, 2010 by bbergman

The Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University is predicting an active and strong hurricane season this year. Experts anticipate a 70 percent probability of 14 to 23 named storms, eight to 14 of which will be hurricanes. Three to seven of those hurricanes will be major, ranking a Category 3 or higher. Read the rest of this entry »

June 7th, 2010 by bbergman

Boat owners should be aware of the different steps – and environmental concerns – when it comes to repair and maintenance. The waterways are one of our most valuable resources and there are simple, but necessary, steps to take to ensure we preserve this precious asset. Read the rest of this entry »