Our Summer is fading, but not without the experience of the beautiful month of September. The boating and fishing are fantastic if only you can MAKE the time to seize the opportunity to get out on the water. The crowds are gone and you have room to enjoy, especially our wondrous Ocean. In most cases, it's why we live where we do -- near the Ocean.
As September draws to a close we turn our attention to the proper servicing and storage of our boats, which in most cases represent a significant investment that must be protected. PLEASE CALL AHEAD. Talk to Patrick, John, or Melanie and arrange your boat service and storage. We expect to be, once again, oversubscribed for these vital services. We wish to accommodate everyone that would like our winter service assistance, and planning and scheduling is the only efficient way that we can accomplish this. THANK YOU once again for your business. We had a bountiful year and we will never forget that it is our customers who make this possible.
Best wishes for a happy and safe off-season,
Melanie, Ed, and the 3A Marine Service CREW.
Reminder for Storage Customers |
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For all boats that are being stored on 3A Marine Service premise, we require a signed Storage Agreement and Proof of Insurance.
We are going to try something a little different this year. We have put a Storage Application Form on our website that will allow our storage customers to enter their contact and boat information, electronically sign the Storage Agreement, and attach an image of their insurance documentation.
The On-Line Storage Application can be accessed here.
For those customers who prefer to complete a hardcopy form, a printable copy of the application can be accessed here.
Your insurance agent/company should be able to provide a copy of the Proof of Insurance, which is standard procedure in the boating world.
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Protecting the gelcoat finish on your boat
The gelcoat finish on a fiberglass boat is subject to the same environmental stresses as our skin. Sun, abrasion, and environmental pollutants all conspire to breakdown the beauty of what starts out as a smooth and supple exterior. We'll leave the effects of time off the table for now !
UV radiation from the sun breaks down the chemical structure of the gelcoat. Constant abrasion against the dock fenders will wear down the finish, never mind scraping up against a dock without the protection of the fenders. Airborne pollutants also contribute to the breakdown of the gelcoat on a microscopic level. The breakdown of the finish, primarily oxidation, is evidenced by a dull-looking finish. As the oxidation process advances the gelcoat will appear “chalky” or hazy.
The polyester gelcoat coating on the hull of a well made boat is around 1/32 of an inch deep. Protection of this thin layer may not help you catch more fish, but it is a major factor in maintaining the value of the boat over time. In addition to enhancing the appearance of the boat, the gel coat layer protects the underlying fiberglass structure from water intrusion. A compromised gelcoat layer will allow the underlying fiberglass to absorb moisture, which could lead to serious structural problems in the hull.
Before and After...
A little elbow grease goes a long way.
Routine maintenance for gelcoat in good condition consists of polishing the gelcoat to maintain a smooth, glossy finish and then applying a coat of wax as a protective layer. Generally, this process is done in the spring as part of the commissioning process. Over the course of the season, the protective wax will wear off. It is a good idea to apply another coat of wax sometime during the second half of the season.
When putting the boat away for the off season, there are a couple of steps to consider that will protect the gelcoat finish. Worn, oxidized gelcoat will absorb and show stains. Rust and tannic water are very common sources of these types of stains. There are several boat-specific stain removal products. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and wear protective gear before applying these products as they are highly caustic.
Whether or not the stain removal process is done, the boat should be washed with soap that does not contain additives that are harmful to the gelcoat before winter storage.
Properly maintained, high quality, gelcoat will look good and provide protection to the fiberglass underneath for many years. Well worth the time, cost, and effort to keep it looking good. |
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We have assembled a list of boats and motors we are calling the September Hit List. These model year 2015 & 2016 boats and motors need too find good homes.
Call Jack @ 781-749-3250 for special pricing on leftover Robalos and a couple of Parker Sport Cabin models. Details on all of our new boats can be found here.
There are several new Tohatsu and Evinrude outboard motors on the hit list. The Evinrudes range in size from 25 to 250 HP. The Tohatsus that are on the hit list range frm 6 to 25 HP.We have special pricing for the "Hit List" motors also.
Upcoming events on the 3A Marine Service calendar…
Feb 11-19, 2017 2017 New England Boat Show
late April/early May 2017 South Shore In-Water Boat Show
@Hingham Shipyard Marina
weekend after In-Water 3A Marine Service’s Women-on-the-Water Program
Boat Show Our 4th Annual !
(stay tuned for announcement of the actual dates) |
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