Placing Epoxy Resin over aluminum running surface???

[150aintenuff]

I am the owner of a 20' Aluminum fishing boat that is currently being repainted, and the hull is getting modified with the addition of a pad and more strakes. (welded on) the question i have is there any benefit to using an Epoxy or Gel coating on the hull to decrease surface tension of the aluminum ( there would be no structual reason for it as the hull is .250 thick solid aluminum but i am looking for more efficency and glass hulls seem to have better effeincey even if the same design and weight as their aluminum counterparts, just looking for the best speed coating posibility and as glass resin is easily attainable i was thinking it could have great advantages if used as a speed coating.. this is just an idea and am looking for advice and wont do anything to coat the hull untill i am sure i am doing the right thing.

The pad and strakes are going to be done regardless.



looking for ideas......... thanks

[davecharles]

I dont think epoxy will help speed by reducing surface tension. It does work nicely as a fairing compound to smooth out those welds without grinding as much aluminum. For reduced surface tension you may need a matte finish (like primer) on the pad area.
Dave

[150aintenuff]

I was going to scuff the surface of the pad anyway so that isnt an issue, my bigest concern is will it stick and hold up to the pounding.

[Reese]

There is nothing...I mean nothing that you can add to the surface of any pad that improve anything. Think about it...if there was anything that worked it would be sold to the airline, aero space industry for Billions.

I think Xpress uses an extruded aluminum pad...you can get most of the same benefit by creating a pad using plate aluminum. Plate will have sharp edges as opposed to the rounded edges of most standard aluminum boats.

[150aintenuff]

I plan on 2"X6" Channel welded together for total width of 12" wide... the hull currently has a pad surface... but it is just a flat portion designed for a Jet pump intake, not a true "pad" like on fiberglass or XPress hulls... Also existing chines are 1.5"X3" that is changing to 2.5"x4.5" as well as adding 2 additional strakes between pad and first set of orginal chines... main purpose...1. ease of loading on trailer, added lift of hull, better turning, and easier control of off speed porpseing that occurs with positive trim... atleast that is the plan anyway... I was thinking of glass resin to basically smooth ans "blueprint" the hull to ensure everything is STRAIGHT and TRUE.. I dont plan on "glassing the chines as they will be nearly razor sharp from the getgo.. Flatplate aluminum has ALOT of roll and warpage to it and the glass would smooth the hook and rocker out of it easier than beating on the inside of the hull for weeks on end to get it trued up.... granted it isnt the fastest hull on the water but it has more potential than most others I have played with..

[hevysrf]

I was looking at at used boat a while back, with black bottom paint, that the owner said was a graphite coating for speed. Don't remember the brand. MartyD

[150aintenuff]

did it work or was it a GLOV-IT coating that is more for impact resistance... I am familiar with the GLOV-IT products and for a hull of anything over 50 it slows them down... they do however shine in slower hulls... especially driftboats. where only oars are used to propell the craft

[Reese]

polyester resins and gel coats WILL NOT adhere to aluminum. Aluminum flexes...expands and shrinks over time. The only thing that will adhere to it is an epoxy adhesive specifically made for aluminum. The problem is that it will be very hard to work with.

Channel should be straight enough and thick enough that you would need to do much else? Post some pics if you can.

Coatings are one of those things that people think "hey if it feels slick it must slide through the water". Graphite, teflon, glove it, glass, polished steel, paint, all have the same coefficient of drag in other words it won't make your boat faster.

No more preaching...good luck with your project.

[150aintenuff]

ok then I will just be sure everythin is TRUE SQUARE and smooth with slight directional scuffs and call it good then... that saves some bucks... once the project gets underway i will post pics and start new thread in the rigging section. and then link to thisone.

thanks for the advice and looking forward to seeing everyone out tihs season