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Section IV: Maintenance
A. FIBERGLASS CONSTRUCTION
North American Yachts, Inc. hulls are constructed of hand-worked laminates of
fiberglass reinforced polyester. While hand laminating is the most expensive
type of fiberglass construction, we feel that it is essential to guarantee
uniform construction and the best possible strength to weight ratio for your
boat hull.
Glass fibers reinforce polyester resin much like steel reinforcing rods in
concrete. These fibers are manufactured in three basic forms. Fiberglass cloth
is much like the material in a shirt, enlarged several times. Fiberglass mat is
made of short fibers pressed together into a thick sheet. Fiberglass roving is
similar to fiberglass cloth but woven with much heavier "threads."
Your boat is manufactured using a combination of these three reinforcement
materials. The exterior finish of your boat is gelcoat. Even though gelcoat is
the finish on the outside of the boat, it is the first material applied to the
mold in the manufacturing process.
The gelcoat material used is the best and most advanced that research and
industry has to offer. However, it is possible that boats which are stored in
the water continuously can develop small blisters in the gel coat. If you plan
to store your boat in the water, we recommend a coating of antifouling paint be
applied for long lasting protection. Water blistering is a common
characteristic of the gelcoat surface of fiberglass laminates continuously
exposed to water and will not affect the strength of your hull. Hull surface
maintenance can be reduced by storing your boat out of the water.
Small hair line cracks, called gelcoat crazing, may occur occasionally in the
gelcoat surface at points of impact or points of high stress. Since the gelcoat
is not a structural part of your boat this will in no way affect the
performance, strength or quality.
Repair
Fiberglass, as tough as it is, can be scratched, scarred or even penetrated by
hard contact with sharp objects such as spikes or jagged rocks.
Touching up scratches or blemishes is easy to do. Your dealer carries a gelcoat
putty kit, color matched to your boat. Full instructions are included with each
kit. If your dealer is temporarily out of the kit, he can get one for you from
the factory.