bottom wax??
 

I have always waxed the bottom of my boats. I recently had a discussion with someone that told me I was wasting my time. He told me you will gain more speed by not waxing because it creates friction causing tiny bubbles that will make the hull faster. Is there any truth to this???

they are right, from what I hear

I've heard the same, also a light scuff of the running surface:eek: They say it works:p

I tend to disagree.... I know from experience the waxed surfaces that repel the water tend to be less sticky... it's just keeping the wax on longer than the first ten feet!.... :D

Snake oil is better....ask DMAN. :D

I've heard that if two surface's are smooth, it creates a sort of suction. Sort of like two peices of wet glass laying on top of each other. :) Not a scientist here!!;)

Waxing the bottom will DEFINTELY slow you down. If you look at the bottom of most race boats you will see they have been wet sanded. Waxing the bottom does NOT create bubbles under water. The wet sanded bottom will aggitate the water, thereby aerating it and causing less wetted surface area. RAddiction is EXACTLY correct in his description of it being like two glass surface with water between them. I have personally experienced both and on a cat you REALLY can feel it.

I've read different theories on this topic. I doubt there would be a measurable difference in speed either way on a pleasure boat. When I wax my hull sides, the portion below the water line seems to wear off after one run anyway. It at least looses it's ability to bead water.

I don't wax my bottom just because it is a pain in the ass to do. Plus it is not exposed to the sun.

I second that, but now I will be able to say " I don't wax the bottom because it makes it faster" :D :D

Stop waxing the bottom
 

Just put a bigger motor in the boat if you want more speed.

waxing the bottom is a waste of time because it will not stay on for more the 10 feet

Re: Stop waxing the bottom
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ONESICKGLADIATOR
[B]Just put a bigger motor in the boat if you want more speed.

Would love too, the wife has other plans for that $$$;)

Re: Stop waxing the bottom
 

waxing the bottom is a waste of time because it will not stay on for more the 10 feet [/B][/QUOTE]

Especially in the upper Chesapeake Bay with it's notorious shallow water:D

I waxed my bottom and it hurt like hell, pulled all the hair right out!!:D Oops, wrong bottom story... (hehe)

I have heard / been told NO WAX on the bottom as well, it's all physics and although a waxed surface on the deck repels water, underwater it will create "suction". I always wondered if you could make a boats bottom resemble the surface of a golf ball, would that work? The dimples make the ball fly further and all by reducing aerodynamic drag, and the bottom of one of my knee boards has dimples on it to reduce hydrodynamic drag and promote softer landings and better releases, sooooo... Dimple the bottom of a boat and what would happen!? Just a screwy thought and all, but I always wondered?:)

Wet sand the bottom. Think of waxing as the "anti-step".

That's it ...I'm hanging my boat in the air and denting the crap out of the bottom. I'll post results:D

I tried some some of these ideas on my speed ski and noticed some interesting results. Since this was a water ski that you are standing on, you can really feel small bottom changes at anything over 70mph. It get's extremely noticable at 85+.

Glossy bottom was very sticky. Mucho drag.
Sanded with 600 was noticably less friction.
Painted with graphite and sanded with 600 was downright slick.

Again, over 70mph to notice any real difference. Also, this was fresh water. In salt water, there was almost no difference at all between the different surfaces. I think salt water is just more slick already.

My 2 cents.

Jody165 - What did you paint the bottom of your boat with??

powerguy, I painted the bottom of my speed ski, not my boat.

The paint I used is:
"Lubri-bond"
Air dry solid film lubricant A

I think rexmar.com carries it.

Just leave it in the water for months till blisters appear, then chisel 'em clean and there ya go. Let me know how it works :)

Great Idea....I'll park up on the philly waterfront for a month, that oughta do it!!:D

That only really works with Donzi's!:eek: :D

What excuse are you going to use for the deck !?!??!:p

:eek: :eek: Ouch!!!

I was told by a F1 racer, when they used that hydrospeed coat stuff they picked up almost 3mph on GPS at Lake X. That is the only thing Ive heard someone who is knowledgable(sp) say works.

My guess is that for fresh water it's worth a try but for salt, save your money and time.

Until someone proves it wrong the same one.

I did a test with some interesting results myself. I found that when cooler is empty, the boat goes faster.

Just doing my part for the sport. :D :D

That's funny, I get just the opposite affect. When the cooler is empty the boat goes slower :confused: :D

BT :cool:

ahhhh, Liquid Courage...:chick:

This is a literal statement, right? And I'm glad you're courteous to your neighbors by not exposing it to the sun. :D:D:D

That's because you need all your faculties to run that tub!!;) Oh Yeah Hi Dave!!!:D

Tub you say? We'll see about that gimbal boy. :D If we could only get you away from the beverage counter long enough to find out what faculties you have, would be a miracle. Going back and forth between tomes and the goose doesn't constitute boating, that is commuting :eek: :crazy:

Oh, and Hi John

BT :cool:

LMFAO!!!!!!:D :D Good One BT!!!

Re: bottom wax??
 

DON'T WAX THE BOTTOM. You are wasting time.
And if you have to transport it, you have risk of it sliding. I'd hate to see a bottom waxed on a Bull. It would not be a pretty sight.

:D :D :D :D

:eureka:

Re: Re: Stop waxing the bottom
 

Hey there you go. A cheap way of getting it wet sanded.

Oh it's been done.......Not by me of course!! Wasabe, do you need your bottom sanded or waxed?;)

















On the boat of course!!

:eek: :o :eek:

You have to paint flames on it if you want it to go faster!!!:eureka: :eureka: