Bottom Paint Problem
It’s a small world but I wouldn’t want to have to paint it! Stephen Wright
I spent my last two Crew Life articles extolling the virtues of our Great Lakes and the wonderful experience that a journey through the lakes offers mega yachts. Following the 2008 summer’s journey we went to Rybovich in West Palm Beach, Florida, to be hauled out for the installation of expanding zero speed stabilizers. That’s when the Great Lake’s experience started to cost a whole lot of money! When the boat was hauled out, almost immediately, for no apparent reason, the bottom paint started to curl up in sheets. After some research, I found that the bottom was painted with Interlux Micron 66. The paint is clearly marked, NOT FOR USE IN FRESH WATER. Now, not only does the bottom have to be repainted but the preparation time to get it ready to paint has been challenging, time consuming, and costly.
Several options were available to remove this peeling mess as the bottom paint had to be stripped from the hull exposing the existing epoxy hull primer. Turbo washing failed. Sand turbo washing with a dual action sander took five hours to sand 40 square feet on an easy access section of the hull. Sponge blasting with 80 grit was intended to be gentle and effective; but, in fact, sponge blasting was more expensive than blasting with sand and it failed to provide a smooth finish. Farrow blasting is a heated low pressure cleaning technology that is rapid and cost efficient. It proved to be very effective and left a smooth epoxy primer surface all for a mere $55,000.00! So, before you take the fresh water plunge, check your bottom paint to make sure that it is fresh water friendly. Next spring, Micron 66 will be replaced by the new product Micron 77 which will tolerate fresh water.
Rybovich Yard in Palm Beach, Florida was originally chosen for the haul out for the zero speed stabilizers because of their attention to price and service. They were quick to respond to all emails and phone calls and our Rybovich contacts conducted themselves as professionals during all aspects of the negotiations.
What I didn’t know about the Rybovich choice was that we were going to be on the ground floor of experiencing cutting edge service not only for the vessel but also for the Crew! Yard periods are, as a general rule, annoying times where everything gets disheveled and dirty. The Crew has to drive miles for any type of entertainment and tempers flare due to the discombobulating state of the vessel and the Crew’s life.
Rybovich is stepping necessary yard periods up a notch. At 4200 N. Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, Florida, they built a state of the art Crew facility within the yard complete with an outdoor lap pool and fire pit, comfortable lounge chairs and a beautiful conversation area with sofas and chairs that were designed for relaxation. The interior Crew area has a progressive workout room with all of the latest equipment. Big screen televisions adorn three practically and comfortably appointed rooms where Crew can mingle with others or stay unto themselves. That illusive high speed internet is accessible throughout the entire yard and Crew center. The layout, the furniture, and the kitchen in the new Crew facility projects the feeling of being in a home. This was a thoughtful concept for Rybovich. Mega yacht Captains and Crew have very little time in a land based home. There is also a special room just for Captains that is card access coded. Captains and Crew were actually interviewed to form a concept that would best meet their needs. AND, Rybovich generously provides a party every Friday night complete with food, drink, and music for Crewmembers of every vessel in their yard.
This impressive facility appeared to be a phoenix arising from the ashes. One day it was a dilapidated parking lot and within a week it was a full functioning Crew center. This ability to plan and execute with spot on efficiency seems to be the norm at Rybovich. They have new docks, new state of the art technology and equipment in each of their six trade shops, and 40,000 square feet with a new attitude to be user friendly. My personal favorite amenity is a sweeping machine that operates perpetually in the effort to keep down the palpable dust, dirt, and chemical exposure that is innate in a boat yard.
Obviously, I endorse this Rybovich advertisement. However, the above should not be interpreted to demean any of the other fine Florida boat yards!
Fair winds and Calm Seas,
Captain Ted
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