Hi David, Love your question. Coincidentally, I have Black Widow on the bottom of Nina. I went through this exactly 3 years ago. I sanded the 15 layers of bottom down to the gel coat and applied 2 coats of Pettit Protect Barrier coat, and then 2 coats of Black Widow. I did not burnish it. I'm current selling Nina and she was recently pulled out for survey and the bottom has stood the test of time in an amazing way. She'll soon need a light sanding and fresh coat by the next owner, but I was impressed by the investment. Digressing from your fast and slick question. Nina has always been fast, and I highly doubt (without proof) that burnishing it would have made her faster. I am also an old school cyclist and had the very small slick tires with a high pressure. I loved it them and would bet my bottom dollar that I am much faster than a fat tire rider with less pressure. Any takers for a race? Lol.
Brian s/v Nina 1980 C&C Landfall 38 On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 5:31 PM David Knecht via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > I am considering whether it is worth sanding/smoothing or burnishing the > Black Widow bottom paint that was rolled on last year. It has a typical > short nap roller orange skin like texture currently. I have read numerous > times that a smooth bottom is a fast bottom. But I have yet to see any > data and as a scientist, that troubles me. I am reminded of the bike > racing tire pressure story. For years, bike racers used small > diameter/high pressure tires because it was assumed that less contact > between the tire and the road would be faster. Obvious, right? When > someone actually did the experiment it turned out it was not faster. Now > everyone uses wide tires with less pressure. Fast plus a softer ride with > better traction. So has anyone seen data that tests hull resistance at > various stages of smoothness for non-planing hulls? I have been unable to > find anything except a reference to Bethwaite's book. Seems like an easy > experiment for a tank test. Dave > > > S/V Aries > 1990 C&C 34+ > New London, CT > > [image: pastedGraphic.tiff] > > Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to > keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal > at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are > greatly appreciated. -- Brian Davis (954) 892-1128
Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated.
