OK, as promised here's my technical update on the issues of boat damage from exposure to Gulf Oil Slicks. As mentioned in my last post Beneteau's customer service supervisor Ward Richardson came out with several strong recommendations yesterday regarding the impact to their boats as a result of sailing through the Gulf Oil Spill. I had questions regarding two of Ward's recommendations. I gave Ward a call this morning to discuss this with him.

My first question was in regards to the gel coat Beneteau is currently using on their boats. Basically there are two types of resin bases used to make gel coat, orthophthalic and isophthalic. Beneteau is currently using the isophthalic variety and further it sounded like they are taking it a step further by mixing in what is known as neopentyl glycol, an agent that will further enhance weathering and chemical resistance capabilities. The isophthalic resin itself is highly resistant to chemical attack, the additive just ups things a notch further. The bottom line here? Beneteau is using extremely high quality gel coat that is superior in every way when it comes to degradation due to weathering and chemical attack.

All this said, Ward expressed to me that he would rather err on the side of caution and leave his recommendation as it stands. Fair enough, and I agree with his position. But, to further elaborate we do need to remember that even the best gel coat is somewhat porous, and it is conceivable that exposure to the oil slick could cause some discoloration. But I'm sticking to my position here as well, I think it is extremely unlikely if the boat is washed as I mention in my Boats.com article and the oil residue is removed. In a worst case scenario, there is a product available that can help, I've used it and can attest to its ability to meet its claims. Check it out at www.oilgoneeasy.com . As for sealing your gel coat, the best product out there is probably BTS Sealant, a polymer based product that will effectively clean and then close the microscopic pores in the gelcoat. it can be purchased online at www.chemical-supermarket.com .

Finally, to the engine issue and Beneteau's recommendation, which actually came via Ward through Yanmar. Again, more erring on the side of caution. The impellars are made of neoprene, quite resistant to exposure to petrolium based products.

So, in closing, I'd be remiss if I were to tell you to ignore your boat builder's recommendations, but I'd also be remiss if I didn't share with you some of the technical facts behind all of this. We don't want Gulf State boaters going into a panic over this whole mess! 

This just in:

"From Regatta Chairman: 

I am happy to report that the owners of boats participating in the Regata al Sol XXVI agreed unanimously to move forward with racing to Isla. The race itself will likely be altered slightly with an offset waypoint(s) to insure a safety margin around the oil slick.

 All agreed that the return trip will provide the greatest logistical challenge. The Regatta Committee plans to post daily updates in Isla with charts and updates from the Coast Guard that will help owners determine their best course of action in bringing their boats home.

 Owners also shared valuable information as to what to do in the unlikely event that a boat should encounter oil.

 In the end, it was agreed that we will continue to monitor the situation closely and share information as we have been doing. Until then, we will continue to deliver boats to Pensacola, prepare food and menus, check sails and rigging and dream of being, once again, at sea. I believe that first cerveza will taste all that much better when we all get down there.

 Thanks again for your support. Guy P. Brierre"

Some of you may be wondering why my interest in this particular regatta. Today you'll be seeing a new feature article that discusses the impact of sailing (or motoring) your boat through an oil slick on the Boats.com website. ( http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2010/05/the-gulf-oil-spill-will-it-destroy-your-boat/ ) I love to do distance racing and this year's Regata al Sol poses some interesting challenges for the participants. For me its technical. We've already seen a post from Michael James discussing the Boat US position, which is that any damage caused by the oil is insurable.

Beneteau came out with a statement yesterday that contradicts in part the advice I provide in my Boats.com article. Beneteau is claiming that if you sail your boat through the oil slick, there will be permanent staining to white gel coat. They are also claiming that running petroleum through the cooling system will cause damage. I disagree with both of these claims, but will be researching this more as today unfolds and will get back to you all later in the day with my findings.

Several months ago I posted a multi-part series here entitled "Keep Your Drive Alive". Why? Because there have been quite a few issues with saildrives corroding away. We know why, and I discussed all of the issues during that series. Apparently the issue has become prevalent enough that Yanmar America is responding with a very detailed service bulletin that not only describes the problem, but offers up the same information I had provided here. If you have a Yanmar saildrive, I strongly suggest you take heed and look this over carefully. Since the bulletin is also intended for end users, I'm placing it here in it's entirety.

All right, I know that these things come with the installation kits on a lot of marine electrical and electronic components. Wire nuts that is. In case you don't know what a wire nut is, the photo below is showing them, yes, on a boat as the yellow connectors for the cabin fan in the photo.

So why not use them, especially since they came free with the unit you just bought? Simple, the vendors that include these in their kits really don't understand industry Standards (ABYC) for electrical installations.

Part 1- We require the use of multi-strand wire to mitigate issues related to vibration on boats.

Part 2- Wire nuts are engineered for use on single strand conductors such as you have in your house. They work well for that purpose.

Part 3- When used with multi-strand conductors, the more you try to tighten the wire nut on to the connection you are trying to make, the more small strands of wire you destroy, and the weaker the connection actually becomes.

NEVER use wire nuts in marine applications. Use a proper crimp type butt connector instead.

You heard it here first! I’ve spent this week working with a group of technicians from Best Buy’s Geek Squad so it’s official, I’m now a qualified geek. Perhaps more significant to anyone reading this post is that Best Buy is about to announce their entry into the marine electronics equipment market. I have their permission to announce it here. I see this as a natural evolution for a company that has proven its mettle in all areas of consumer electronics, and has been an installer of home theater and high-end audio systems on boats for some time already.

 I can tell you now after working on the inside with this organization in a training capacity for over a year that they are one tight group that puts top emphasis on every aspect of training and certification for their staff and has the utmost concern for customer service at its highest level.

The company is currently training select members of the Geek Squad to perform marine equipment installations. One of the requirements is to run through my ABYC Electrical Certification program and if they achieve certification, their training will continue with NMEA and the specific equipment vendors. At present the company is tied in with some of the biggest names in the marine industry like Garmin, Raymarine, ICOM, and KVH to name several. A prototype of one of their new store displays is shown below.

The company’s plan is to focus on coastal stores, beginning in the southern states and gradually moving northward over the next year, but don’t let that stop you from inquiring at almost any of their stores about marine electronic equipment because they do have a .com presence as well www.bestbuy.com .

This is an industry game changer people because soon you’ll have access to one company, with locations all over the US that can help you not only with the selection of electronic gear needed for your boat, but installation by highly trained professional installers as well. The company has developed a solid flat rate labor pricing strategy that will get you away from the annoying “time and materials” and no clue what the final cost is going to be approach that has been the industry norm. Furthermore, since the company is a national entity, if you move or are cruising with your boat you’ll be able to access warranty assistance no matter where you end up in US waters.  I’ve had a great week working with the Best Buy folks, and am totally impressed with their level of professionalism. These people understand electronics, and they are committed to doing it right! Give them a try. They'll be rolling out their new program in June in the southern US.