Boats and oil damage?

[utchuckd]

What kind of damage could the oil spill do to boats that someone new to the sailing world would need to look for if he were going to buy a boat in the near future?

Also, hopefully this isn't too insensitive, but depending on how the oil spill shakes out, could the next few months be a good time to be a buyer on the boat market, i.e. large supply?

[FSMike]

Crude oil can eat gel coat off a hull? Where did you get this information? How long does it take?
Just curious.

[utchuckd]

Originally Posted by Insails

It will be a salvagers market

That says enough for me, thanks. I was hoping it might be something that's more of a big nuisance than an actual danger. I hope they keep the damages minimized.

[CaptainForce]

Originally Posted by Insails

The crude can eat the Jel-Coat off the boat....ruin the decks ,sides and bottom.........

Like FSMike, I'd like to hear of the source for this. Though the oil and the fiberglass polymer are both apolar molecules which I think would imply a greater tendancy for the oil to penetrate the surface; I don't see a potential chemical reaction that would be breaking down the gel coat. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[k1vsk]

Originally Posted by FSMike

Crude oil can eat gel coat off a hull? Where did you get this information? How long does it take?
Just curious.

That's pretty far-fetched. At worst, it may stain gelcoat but that is temporary. About the only conceivable way permanent staining can occur is with FRESH out of the ground crude and still containing all of the light fractions which isn't a realistic scenario in this case.

there is way too much false info floating around here regarding this spill - why people make these statements with no basis in fact is silly.

[night0wl]

Check out this email memo sent out to all Beneteau owners:

Notice to All Beneteau Owners:



We have had a few calls regarding the Gulf Oil Spill and wanted to share this information.



We recommend that you avoid any contact with the oil slick.



If the boat does come in contact with the oil slick


There will be a permanent staining to the white gelcoat.
This will not effect the Structural Warranty of the boat.


The engine manufacturer feels there will be no issue, as the intake is far below the surface of the water.
DO NOT MOTOR-SAIL.


You should carry extra engine impellers and impeller gaskets as petroleum products will damage the impeller.
You should flush the raw water cooling system with a mixture of dawn soap and water to help break down any oil that might have gotten in the cooling system.

What can I do to protect my boat?


Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recommends the following tips for recreational boaters:


If your marina or boat club puts oil containment booms in place, do not attempt to cross the booms with your boat. This will only spread the oil and damage the booms or possibly your vessel's running gear.
If there is oil in your marina, refrain from running engines or other devices that have seawater intakes such as air conditioners or refrigerators.
Hauling out your boat will prevent damage, but as of press time it was not clear if these costs will be reimbursed by British Petroleum (BP).
If the spill is sighted coming toward your marina or already there, call the BP Community Information Hotline at 866-448-5816 to make a report.
If your boat comes in contact with the oil, call your insurance company to file a claim. Uninsured boaters can call the BP Hotline at 800-440-0858 to file a claim.
Damage to a BoatUS insured's vessel that is caused by the oil spill is covered. BoatUS members are directed to call 800-937-1937 to file a claim.

We hope that this information was helpful. If we can be of any further assistance please contact us at:


Beneteau USA Customer Service
843-629-5320

[zeehag]

crude will discolor the gelcoat and it will render the antifouling paint useless.
it wont EAT the gelcoat...lol....much like a diesel slick but thicker and blacker, as i understand it....seems to be a moot point at this point as the slick is not in where there are boats and the marina areas are boomed off.....no one is sailing thru it either.

isnt good for the engine should one be dumb enough to motor thru it. will cause high temp and nonfunction.

[AdamLein]

The threat is real OR your marina wants to protect itself from liability and doesn't need to care whether the threat is real or not.

[Ulladh]

If your boat is in potential threat from the oil slick, then I would assume the call is to; haul out and wait or, wait to get damage then haul out and clean.

If BP or your insurance company is going to pay I would haul out before getting damage.

[sailingdog]

I would recommend hauling out if the oil slick is approaching the area you keep your boat. Unfortunately, unlike the Northeast and other parts where winter haulouts are the norm, the Gulf Coast and other southern states have a relatively limited amount of on-the-hard storage for boats... so doing this earlier is probably wiser than waiting.