Still looking for my Hatteras

[Felix]

Looking at a 1985 43" MY. On survey saw this. Surveyor stated that the boat had no delamination issues/or high moisture readings elswhere. Would love to have input on what repair would be needed as well as estimate of cost. Looks like the gelcoat is down to fiberglass fibers and is involving below the waterline on starboard side. I know that the Hatteras hull is solid fiberglass with balsa core ? above waterline. Appreciate any input. Screen Shot 2022-09-10 at 11.18.50 AM.jpg
Much appreciated
Felixhull.jpg

[SeaEric]

That looks like a build up of bottom paint. No big deal.

[zigzag930]

I don't think Hatteras yachts were gel-coated, always painted from what I've been told. Someone please confirm this.

[jim rosenthal]

Most have multiple layers of gelcoat, but on completion they were painted over the gelcoat. That is, primed and painted over the gelcoat. I think the first paint they used was Imron, but over the years they have used different two-part paints- AwlGrip at one point, I think AwlCraft at another, and recently Alexseal. The size of the spray booths they use to do this is, as you might expect, huge.

The boat in the photos just needs the bottom cleaned up with soda blasting or walnut shells. Then a barrier coat and bottom paint.

[krush]

In this rare case, I'd say trust your surveyor instead of your own eyes......

[Captain Ralph]

If there was a gel-coat, it was just for mold release than a finish. Hatts final finish were painted from the factory, always have been.
That bottom is years of paint flaking away and showing some glass. NBD.
But, I'm looking at a picture, your surveyor will tell you for sure.

[whoover]

My boat looked like that, years of bottom paint build up. I sanded down the transom last spring just to see what i was getting into and found nice smooth glass. I was preparing for a total bottom job this spring but the new owner can take care of it now. Brett Portzer just completed this job on a 43dc and has the marerials list, time and cost. I believe he soda blasted the old paint off.

Walt Hoover

[rsmith]

Bottom paint build up no big deal.
And yes they painted over the gelcote.
Very few had balsa cored hulls. ASFAIK it was used in only the hi performance convertible models starting in the mid 80’s

[Felix]

Thank you all for your input.
Much appreciated
Felix

[Felix]

Any idea of cost to repair?
Felix