by captainseasick » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:15 am
The "secret" about not waxing the bottom, is not a secret. A smooth fair bottom helps the creation of a "boundary layer" of water that clings to the bottom and releases the surrounding water with the least amount of friction and surface tension. Bumps, scratches, and deformities to the hull, disturb this layer of fluid and cause it to part from the hull prematurely causing eddies, swirls and back suction. Wax, sheds this layer of water, and breaks it up as it tries to form, so is actually slower. Boats with smooth fair bottoms and foils can be as much as 10% faster over the same course, given that all else is equal. 320 grit, and VC17 or Baltoplate, rolled on or sprayed, and burnished with 00 grade bronze wool is about as good as you can get your bottom.
Michael D. Schreibman