2013 R29 "Porch Roof" is fading, changing color

B

BaseCampAnne

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2009
Messages
258
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2916B313
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Eddyline Skylark, Mariner Coaster (kayaks)
Vessel Name
Cascadia
MMSI Number
367604650
Has anyone noticed this on your boat? Cascadia has a full surround for the cockpit.

If so, what have you done to restore it?

Thx in advance.
 
Wish I had an easy fix for you. I'm situated in NC (2011 R29) and the sun really takes it toll on the colored gel coat. If you search the Tugnuts site, you'll find lots of different product recommendations. I've tried them all, with only short-term benefit. I finally gave up and had the boat painted with Awlgrip (as have others here in the Southeast). Perhaps you'll have better luck in the Northwest.
 
Anne
I really don't think there is much you can do for fading . I wash mine and re seal it . I will need to have it re stitched in spots soon as the thread on some of the zippers is letting go .. The sun and salt air takes its toll I'm lucky in that when I am back home for the summer I am in a covered slip and in fresh water so it slows the aging a bit.
 
Hi Anne,

If you're talking about the Sunbrella cockpit enclosure, you can buy a 303 protectant that helps with the waterproofing and color. If it is really faded, that isn't going to completely restore the color, but it should improve it some. There are specific instructions you have to follow, like making sure the fabric is clean before you apply the 303. There are different types of 303, so check with the manufacturer of the Sunbrella to be sure you are getting the right stuff. Apply it evenly so you don't get streaky fabric.

We came across them (Sunbrella mfg) at the Seattle Boat Show years ago, and they were giving away small samples of the stuff. They said it is best to use it early on to help protect the fabric from UV, then regular applications.

Hope that helps.
 
I was not clear with my issue, obviously. Let me try again.

The porch/roof I am referring to is the roof extension from the cabin that covers the doorway outside of the cabin. Since our boats come with a Sunbrella bimini it is not very obvious.

When standing in the cockpit in front of the doorway, I looked up recently and noticed that the material on the underside has what look like water spots and circles of a different color. The material looks similar to the floor of the cabin, but seems faded and perhaps water-stained.

Cascadia has had a full bimini and complete surround from Day One, so this area has not been exposed to direct sunlight or rain blowing sideways in the cockpit.

Has anyone noticed similar issues?

Have any Tugnuts put a treatment of some type to prevent deterioration or fading?

I hope to restore or replace this, but am trying to figure out the cause plus preventative care.

Thx in advance for comments.
 
If it's on the underside, it sounds like mildew spots. I would try wiping it down with diluted bleach, followed by a coat of wood restorer.
 
dante3756":1k12wy6n said:
Wish I had an easy fix for you. I'm situated in NC (2011 R29) and the sun really takes it toll on the colored gel coat. If you search the Tugnuts site, you'll find lots of different product recommendations. I've tried them all, with only short-term benefit. I finally gave up and had the boat painted with Awlgrip (as have others here in the Southeast). Perhaps you'll have better luck in the Northwest.
Click to expand...

Same thing here..Awlgripped the brows, cockpit cover, and the cabin bootstripe..best investment ever..
 
We have a 2014 R-27. The underside of the overhang in the cockpit has a wood looking type material. I rubbed it with the teak oil we use on the interior of the boat Starbrite I think is the brand. Seems to have brought it back from looking unloved.
 
Brad, it may be mildew, because while at Sebow's Hardware in Anacortes I spoke with a man who was helping me assess various products I might use. When I mentioned having white circles on the underside, he said they are caused by LEAKS.
I wonder if any others have white circles appearing?

I see that teak oil, as well as a mixture of vinegar and water have each been recommended for cleaning the surface. I may try that, but...

Leaks can happen again, so my original idea to purchase the identical type material that the boat came with does not seem like a good plan.

I am wondering if any Tugnuts have repaired or replaced the underside of the "porch roof" and if so, with what material?

Also has anyone purchased/installed a replacement for the flooring that came in our boats? Any opinions on synthetic material?

Thx,
 
Although anything is possible I don't think it would be a leak as the little roof is one piece of fiberglass .. I would think it is more likely condensating . Wondering if there might be spots where the wood is not tight to the underside of the roof and there is moisture forming ? I have the pre fancy wood roof that is just painted and I have never seen water under there .
 
I have a 2009 R-29 with the plain fiberglass below the top gelcoat. I used Tilex mold and mildew remover and it cleaned right off. Strangely, it has never come back. I do not use this strong bleach product anywhere else as it really has a negative impact on gelcoat. I have the deep blue hull, brows and "porch top". Rejex is a very good light compound that does a great job of restoring the gelcoat. You want to minimize the use of heavy compounds as they will eventually work through your gelcoat. There are plenty of threads on this site that address mildew, compounding and waxing. Everyone has their own unique experience. It makes good reading. Search the forums and see what others have done.

Pat
Ladybug, Too
 
Bruce from Alice J recommended removing it sanding and varnishing.
 
I've had the same issue with my Cutwater 28 the wood panel in my overhang did not survive 4 years. It was replaced and installed by the local Rangertug dealer. They did a great job. Also before they replaced it I put on multiple coats of exterior satin finish to protect the wood. The boat was just returned to my house, shrink wrapped and winterized. Yet I noticed that the wood is already mildewing beneath the finish. Its too bad as it only survived one season. I hope that change over to a vinyl,plastic, fiberglass, or whatever as the boatyard mentioned they've also had to replace some of these on the Tugs.

Stuart
 
Hi Anne;
Problem with the porch roof is it was sealed with a varnish on the finished side and because of this, the moisture tends to get in behind the "finish". Mine started to mold, look dirty and had circles as you describe. I and I took it down and sanded lightly...problem is it is a veneer plywood and you can only sand very little. I ended up using the original as a pattern and bought a sheet of same type of teak and holly plywood from a lumber store and only used teak oil on it. I did this very early spring this year and have since given it another coat of teak oil...it looks as good as the day it was put up. Unfortunately, sealed wood will not do well over time in the elements...that is why if you only use oil, it will protect the wood from mold to a very good degree and let the wood breathe. Teak Oil has mold inhibitors in it.
Hope that helps.
 
Our experience is similar to that others have had with the Brows and tops and undersides of the porch cover. The first winter we had our R29 it was stored in an unheated shed with its full cockpit enclosure in place. The next spring the wood under the porch cover was discoloured with mold. I removed it then cleaned it with “MoldConrol”, light sanding followed with several coats of varnish. No further treatment has been necessary for the last two seasons. As for the Brows and top of the cover fading has been kept to a minimum with light cleaning and regular waxing.
Dave and Chris.
 
I am not a big fan of shrink wrapping a boat in areas where there is any humidity. I believe the srink wrap just locks in humidity and thus encourages mold. I shrink wrapped two winters and had mold on the mouse fur and wood trim both times. And this happened in my prior boat despite using big heaps of desiccant pellets in 5 gallon plastic buckets in the v-berth, head and cabin.
I now tarp the boat and keep a small heater/fan in the engine compartment, another heater/fan in the cabin with the door to the head propped open. I store all cushions inside the house. No mold anywhere using this technique so far!
For exterior wood trim, I remove it whereever possible and store it inside the house too.
 
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