After planing, the boat is thoroughly washed with fresh water to remove any salt crystals or moisture on the surface, and the vessel is carefully inspected for any additional areas that may require further attention. A sophisticated moisture meter, which allows us to take readings from just below the surface to deep into the laminate, helps us to identify areas that require further drying, which is essential before new glass is applied. The excessive wet areas are mapped out on the boat, and the Hot Vac system, which uses a hot blanket and vacuum, vaporises impurities and moisture from the hull, which is a vital step - not only to achieve post curing, but also helping to reduce drying time to just days rather than weeks or even months. Hot Vac blankets hug the hull, forming an air tight seal which can be applied to any hull profile. The adjustable controls allow us to alter the temperature to suit your hull construction.

Once dried, the entire hull is skim ground to remove any surface contamination and is again washed with fresh water. A minimum of 2 layers of chopped strand mat are applied by hand using our own Derakane Vinylester resin. The glass matt is bristle rolled and special care is taken to remove all the air in the new laminate.

The 2 new layers of glass not only builds back strength that was lost due to the osmosis in the hull, but is the first barrier protection against the reoccurrence of osmosis.

Originally developed by Mike Menzies, step 4 uses an exclusive coating called Thixo - a process with a track record of over 25-years of success, and one that is now used exclusively by Osmosis Solutions.

This Vinylester-based, thick gel-type product is rolled and screened over the glass laminate to create a thick film which provides an additional barrier against future osmosis. Also in this same process, a final Vinylester based product called Micro is rolled and screened over the Thixo coating, creating not only another barrier, but a product that can be used in the refairing of the hull.

This is a very important part of the finishing process and is by far the most labour intensive. Each full bottom osmosis project is carefully and skillfully faired to restore the hulls shape, and in many cases, improving the hull's curvature to better than new condition.

Our specialised fairing machines are adaptable to most curves and surfaces, and help to reduce the fairing time. Hollows, radius and pin holes are spot filled where necessary. Once the fairing process is complete, there is absolutely no evidence of our full bottom osmosis repair work.

Once the boat has been faired, the waterline is carefully taped and 2 coats of epoxy-based primer are hand rolled onto the hull. The epoxy primer helps to provide a barrier protection against osmosis and also fills any pin holes in the fairing product.

Between the first and second coat, the hull is carefully inspected for any areas that may require additional spot fills. The first coat of primer is left to cure over night and sanded to ensure a good key. A further 2 undercoats are rolled on and allowed to tack before an antifoul of your choice is applied along with zincs and PropSpeed.

Congratulations, you're osmosis has been removed, the hull is protected from future contamination, and your vessel is ready to launch!