Rinker Chalk Hull
dspan
Member Posts: 23 ✭✭
I have owned two Rinkers, a 2008 260EC and now a 2008 350EC. Both of them had the dark blue hull option, and no matter what I do and have tried, I just can't keep it staying dark blue. I have it professionally buffed and waxed twice a year trying to keep up with it. Spending $2500 a year on exotic waxes and buffing compounds is not working. I saw another Rinker 350 the other day, it was supposed to be tan but it was chalky just like mine, almost looked like a dull band-aid. I decided to continue my investigation and took my RIB to go see some other Rinker 350s and 360s up close. First one I saw was red and was a chalky mess, almost looked like red/pink, next one was blue but this person basically gave up and the boat looked like absolute ****, almost the color of light denim. That guy was on his boat and he swore up and down about how cheap the Rinker paint/gelcoat was. Says he loves the boat (as do I) but the Rinker family cheaped out big time on some things and the gelcoat clearcoat was the worst. He was an old timer and owned a dark blue SeaRay 310 before this and he claimed the gelcoat difference was not even comparable.
To add insult to injury, I just pulled in to the Yacht Club in Rockport, MA. There is a dark blue Formula 320 right next to me and the dark blue is so dark and deep and incredible I thought I could see through the boat. It is so nice I asked him what he does to keep it that way. He says, "Nothing, I haven't waxed this boat in over a year, Formula goes all put on the gelcoat, it even has little sparkles in it if you look closely. My boat looks like it belongs in a dump while his looks like a million dollars. The Rinker interior is way nicer though, his has white cabinets and the cabin looks like a hospital.
Rinker Owners Unite against Chalk! I assume many people have this problem since every Rinker near Boston aeems to have it.
New Gelcoat? A Boat Wrap? Super Special Wax?
What can we do? This chalk is giving us a bad name.
To add insult to injury, I just pulled in to the Yacht Club in Rockport, MA. There is a dark blue Formula 320 right next to me and the dark blue is so dark and deep and incredible I thought I could see through the boat. It is so nice I asked him what he does to keep it that way. He says, "Nothing, I haven't waxed this boat in over a year, Formula goes all put on the gelcoat, it even has little sparkles in it if you look closely. My boat looks like it belongs in a dump while his looks like a million dollars. The Rinker interior is way nicer though, his has white cabinets and the cabin looks like a hospital.
Rinker Owners Unite against Chalk! I assume many people have this problem since every Rinker near Boston aeems to have it.
New Gelcoat? A Boat Wrap? Super Special Wax?
What can we do? This chalk is giving us a bad name.
Comments
PC BYC, Holland, MI
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@CableguyGreg and list members) I used to own a painting company. Greg, you received sound advice. The formulations for gel coat and hundreds of other paint products have been dramatically altered due to VOC regulation.
I too swear by Meguiars or any good carnuba -based wax. IMO the trick to retaining lasting gel coat color is to get at it right away - from factory new or it becomes a never ending chase. (I have owned three black , one red, two white and a multi-colored Rinkers).
There are super long and helpful posts regarding this on the Rinker forum if you use the search box at the top of this page.
Another tip is to wash your boat with soft water or lake water (if not mineral laden) as mineral laden water allowed to dry is death to gel coat over time. If anything Rinker applies the thickest gel coat in the business and the quality they use is pretty well standard. Yes, Formula does have great paint (Imron) with graphics and color changing fades. That said a former slip mate of mine had a Formula 370 cruiser. The paint was beautiful, the fit and finish were very good (maybe a notch above Rinker) BUT he coveted the head room both in the cockpit (with fridge, ice-maker , which you didn`t have to open fiberglass doors to access - AND blender) but he absolutely drooled over the head room in the cabin, two pull-out flex steel couches and separate shower enclosure.
The fact that I had essentially all the same mechanicals as he (8.2 Mags/B111, Axius, generator,touch screen GPS, satellite TV, radar, etc BUT his Formula cost almost 3X as much REALLY got him.
IMO for the price Rinkers are amazing boats.
Hey, just out of curiosity, what would it cost to paint a 350EC in deep blue fleck Imron?
That's why I bought white.....every single coloured one I saw looked like crap. A Rinker (320?) in my marine had a black wrap put over his white one looks good. I need a thruster and/or more practice I still dump stuff too much yet....lol I love Rinker, but they do seem to be some of the worst I have seen.
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