Bottoms Up !

[Islandmon]

Hello all, I'm hoping that someone can answer a question I have about a adding carbon to epoxy when preparing your final coat to your running surface. My question is has as anyone done a "before and after" study to see what if any effects this bottom cocktail has on your performance.

Thx,
Sam

[C Stock Racer]

I did it on 2 c runabouts. If there was any performance advantage I didn't see it. The only down side is the boat will slip off the dolly very easily. My next boat won't have it.

[Tim Weber]

Sam,

Save yourself the trouble. Flat is fast. The stuff on the bottom doesn't matter.

Tim

[Islandmon]

I hear ya Tim, my mind was wondering a bit today. Must be all the fumes I've inhaled this past week.

[bill boyes]

You really do not have to go to all that trouble. Just get some Tree Wax paste and rub into the area you want covered. With the Wax still wet rub the carbon powder into the wet wax and let dry. Will stay on a very lone time.

[chicagopaul]

Have not tried carbon, but did try Graphite and West System. Very messy. I do not believe there was a differance. Won't try again. The folks that focus on making sure their bottoms are flat seem, to go to the extreme, them selves. But .... they also do very well so .....????? I do think that a final sanding with 100 grit straight fore and aft does have a benefit. I welcome others opinions. Glossy surfaces do not seem to be fast. They seem to cause friction.

[mercguy]

different perspective....

Hello all, I'm hoping that someone can answer a question I have about a adding carbon to epoxy when preparing your final coat to your running surface. My question is has as anyone done a "before and after" study to see what if any effects this bottom cocktail has on your performance.

Thx,
Sam

I really do like the addition of graphite to the bottom of the boat. One of the key benefits of the graphite (mixed in with the epoxy) is that is a very good agent to fill inconsistancies in the bottom and it provides a TOUGH DURABLE finish on the bottom, which is easily sanded when you check/flatten the bottom every so often. I use 400 grit as the last sanding step, anymore and it is too slick...........I will continue to use the graphite on all the bottoms (and other places) of all the boats I finish.............if the boat wants to slide off your cart............build a better cart!! ............just kiddin

PS: I "assume" you mean "graphite powder" or where you refering to carbon fiber added to the bottom (like what Sean and Mike are doing to the MJR they are building? If adding carbon fiber, I would "think" it would be best applied on the inside of the bottom.....

[bill boyes]

Graphite powder works best. Tree Wax and Graphite powder. Does it work? I do not know.

[chicagopaul]

Just to clarify, I am referring to graphite powder in epoxy. Not sure what Sam was referring to by carbon.

[Kev43V]

I really do like the addition of graphite to the bottom of the boat. One of the key benefits of the graphite (mixed in with the epoxy) is that is a very good agent to fill inconsistancies in the bottom and it provides a TOUGH DURABLE finish on the bottom, which is easily sanded when you check/flatten the bottom every so often. I use 400 grit as the last sanding step, anymore and it is too slick...........I will continue to use the graphite on all the bottoms (and other places) of my boats.............if the boat wants to slide off your cart............build a better cart!! ............just kiddin

PS: I "assume" you mean "graphite powder" or where you refering to carbon fiber added to the bottom (like what Sean and Mike are doing to the MJR they are building? If adding carbon fiber, I would "think" it would be best applied on the inside of the bottom.....

Daren, About what percentage of graphite to epoxy would you recomend?

[chicagopaul]

Oh ****, I followed the instructions on the can .... hope I did not screw up. LOL

Kevin, if you would like to try it , don't buy any, I have plenty. Happy to give it to you.

Paul

[mercguy]

Daren, About what percentage of graphite to epoxy would you recomend?

it depends on the temperature, but I add just enough to make a nice thick consistancy, then roll it on...........although, it is a real ***** to initially sand and makes quite the mess!!!!!!!!

[Islandmon]

Just to clarify, I am referring to graphite powder in epoxy. Not sure what Sam was referring to by carbon.

My error, I should have said graphite .

[johnsonm50]

I tried it on my HK Airborn in the relentless persuit of faster. Graphite & West that is. Yes its messy to sand, the instructions read that it needs to be sanded some to expose the graphite. I cross sanded it with 400G- wet. I actually got the boat goin faster but was it with the graphite? I dont know & it was only a little faster where too many variables play in to say why. FLAT & not shiney seem to be the ticket & the majority of the experienced say so. Ive tried waxing for no good result, My C hydro ran 61,5, hardly enough to lead not to mention that while hopping wake in the turns it would sometimes grab so hard it almost stopped the boat. Waxing the bottom of a canoe or fish-chaser aluminum boat will work a little but those make no attempt to break free of the surface.

[Affholter66]

So what ya thinkin Sammy??? LOL