bass boat wax???

[bigdog]

I ran into a bass guy I know while I was purchasing some wax for my boat; he said NOT to wax the bottom of the boat. He said it will actually increase resistance on the water??? Doesn't make sense to me. I was always under the impression the more waxed the bottom, the better. Can I have some input here from all you more experienced bass boaters out there?

[kopper_bass]

bigdog,
your buddy is technically correct, providing you have a bass boat. Other boats plow water, but a bass boat skims the water on its pad and is essentially 80% out of the water when going full out.

It may seem like the opposite, but actually adding wax to your hull causes the boat to slip on the water and not allow air turbulance. This results in actually more resistance and less speed. Your hull is designed to allow the water to grab and slide water on water; putting air into the hull and allowing the boat to skim with little resistance. Hydro boats actually use a special paint on their bottom to maximize this effect. Same thing occurs when the water is dead flat vs. a small chop. you go faster with chop, because the boat grabs more air and has less resistance.

How much does it really slow you down?? its negotiable, but not more than a few MPH.

But, here is the reality. You need to wax it once in a great while to ensure you get the big grit and grime off. Then you can let it go for quite a while and do it again. You should always give it a good cleaning though; just skip the waxing and do it maybe 1 time a year.

Good Luck,

Kopper

[bigdog]

Thanks, that makes alot more sense the way you explained it. Yes, I do have a bass boat. I knew I could count on you guys for a thourogh answer. I will do as you say and just keep it clean and wax bottom maybe once per year. THANKS AGAIN for your knowledge.

[fish_food]

It may seem like the opposite, but actually adding wax to your hull causes the boat to slip on the water and not allow air turbulance.

A smooth, waxed surface would actually produce the opposite of slipping. You'd get adhesion. Example: drag the pad of your finger tip on a smooth, clean glass surface versus a sanded surface. You'll find more drag and adhesion on the smooth, glassy surface over the sanded one...

[DAN]

The BTS Difference
Most people consider gel coat as just a cosmetic finish on a boat when in fact; it is the primary protective layer for underlying fiberglass. It protects the structural fiberglass from water and the sun. In essence it is the skin that protects the hull structure.



No one debates the need to seal and protect gel coat finishes, but there is disagreement over how best to do it. While many people still use automotive carnauba waxes, the fiberglass industry and boat manufacturers are increasingly recommending only gel coat sealing protectants. There are a number of valid reasons for this. While carnauba-containing waxes may be fine for vehicles, its durability and value on gel coat is very limited and in many cases is counter-productive. The problem shared by both carnauba waxes and automotive sealants has to do with the very nature of gel coats. Gel coat is naturally semi-porous, pigmented, polyester resin. Seen under a microscope, your boat's flat, smooth gel coat surface has millions of tiny pores per square inch! These pores, or holes systematically fill with microscopic grime. Carbon from exhaust, dissolved mineral, microorganisms from the water and oils from human use. It is this contamination in conjunction with photo-oxidation from sun light that promotes gel coat oxidation, staining and wear.



Another culprit in surface deterioration is bacteria. Believe it or not, bacteria, which we know is everywhere, live in these small pores. Most people will tell you that an oxidized boat has seen too much sun and to a greater degree they are correct! What very few people realize is that some of the damage is the work of bacteria. Think about the damage that bacteria can do to your teeth; well it is doing the same to your gel coat. Bacterial waste (acids) in the pores of your gel coat are deteriorating the gel coat from the inside; filling the pores with dull chalky debris. As this chalk fills more and more pores, the entire gel coat surface will take on a dull, faded appearance. BTS is the only product that removes this bacterial contamination effectively with out damaging gel coat. Think of this oxidation as "plastic rust". Carnauba waxes and automotive sealants do not remove pre-existing micro-contamination in the pores. They seal the contamination in place where it continues to oxidize from the inside, under that so-called “protective waxâ€