Petecraft Fast Fisher 17 Open/Sports

skip · June 06, 2008, 11:15:44 CET

Ramio,

Interesting feedback about the local boat builders. There is a good chance that more catalyst (hardener) is used to offset our high humidity, otherwise the resin won't cure. As to what the knockon effect of that truly is, I wouldn't know with any level of accuracy.

I agree that mould maintenance should be a No.1 priority to maintain the finished product, unfortunately with mass production and deadlines it seems that at least in the case of Marino this is being ignored. I was watching a promotional video of a US boat builder and they were talking about their moulds. It seems that re-surfacing a mould is a pretty lengthy labour intensive procedure and that after each pull, the mould needs to be properly cleaned and polished before the next one goes on.

Read up on those links posted above as one of them contains detailed info on how to treat osmosis. To be done right it's a pretty involved and expensive task, and applying gel shield once it's present is not enough. Read this bit:

'If blisters are small in diameter and concentrate on a definite hull area not completely affected, we can say that this is young osmosis; if on the other hand blisters are spread most of the hull surface are of large diameter with dark pressurized liquid inside, we can say that we are in presence of old and severe advanced stage osmosis. '

shanook · June 06, 2008, 13:41:29 CET

no ramio's blisters were like the size of a pin head. they didnt smell when burst as they should (smell of vinigar).
the mould is kept clean and polished. The problem is not always the boat manufacturer but the supplier of the resin.
Ramio was present for the production of his boat and knows that if the process was not 100% perfect it was better than most manufacturers....
T

shanook · June 06, 2008, 13:42:43 CET

The hull is built sturdy enough to take a beating and as ramio said we still go out when others are coming in.

skip · June 06, 2008, 13:51:39 CET

So looks like early osmosis, so should be easily treatable then before it becomes advanced osmosis. It won't go away on its own. True about the resin, ambient conditions, amount of hardener etc etc.

ramio · June 06, 2008, 13:59:37 CET

Skip, the small bubbles (1mm to 4mm max) when burst had clear liquid and never was any of the gelcoat damaged or marked. I never going to go through stripping treatment again, and never really bothered about it as usually boat is up on dry land from january to may, so it has a good time to dry. I don't think that even with osmoses, the thickness, and amount of resin that I got in the hull will ever give in in my life time.

skip · June 06, 2008, 16:35:02 CET

Hi Mario,

The fact the bubbles had liquid in them would be of concern, maybe enough to get a marine surveyor to check them even though as Shanook said they had no smell. Better to be safe than risk it becoming something more serious, at least to have peace of mind.

camkev · October 12, 2009, 10:06:12 CET

I will definately go and have a look at this boat...wow with an e-tech or suzuki 4 stroke!!!Very nice boat and nice finish!!

Shaftbomb · October 12, 2009, 13:28:08 CET

That's a really nice boat camkev....ask for a trial run and you will fall in love with that boat.....

bigboy · October 12, 2009, 15:41:29 CET

Kev Kev Kev Petecraft qed insemmu sihbi

Whenever you want we can go speak to mario

Destination Sea · October 12, 2009, 22:40:34 CET

Here kev http://www.petecraft.com/

camkev · October 12, 2009, 22:50:35 CET

Guys,i am Seriously thinking about buying this boat,the finish is awsome and the storage space is good.I think i will buy it with a blue hull..ax il mara hekk ogbita!!Regarding the motor i dont know yet but it's Definitely between Suzuki 90-4 stroke or e-tech..dont know if they have a 90 hp.Will be visiting petercraft shortly and ask about the delivery date and some modifications like skip mentioned,the driver seat i want it for 2 persons and not that kind.What do you think guys about this boat and motors???

Mayer · October 12, 2009, 23:38:27 CET

PeteCraft.... my dream boat! even with the 14 ill be happy! The finish is superb...

busumark · October 13, 2009, 07:38:41 CET

kevin before you buy a boat try it first. try one with the same set up you want it. a boat with a good finish doesnt mean that it is good in the sea altough its nice to have a boat with good finishing but the most important it is good at sea. and dont try it on a calm day at least try it on a force 3 to 4 - 4 wind. and take a handheld gps with you to check top speed because here in malta i think that everyone has a different gps. dont just rely on what others tell you try for yourself because you are going to take out the money and you have to be happy with it

skip · October 13, 2009, 08:12:45 CET

I second what Busu is saying. definately you want to try the boat in a good Force 3-4, ideally somewhere like the Gozo channel where everything funnels. That way you can test in both a head sea and a following sea and see how the boat behaves. Like whether it nose dives, slams etc off waves, is good in a following sea or head sea etc etc.

The new 2009 DF90 is a serious contender at 155kgs, and the ETEC 90 is around 150kgs so both very similar in weights, though the Suzuki runs a greater reduction on the gear ratio allowing it to swing a bigger prop.

This would be a fantastic comparison, perhaps we can get Zarb Stores, RLR and Petecraft involved and get a good review up here.

Shaftbomb · October 13, 2009, 08:33:49 CET

I think this petecraft model has already been tested with suzuki outboards by Suzuki Marine International. Infact on Zarb stores website there are already some photos of this boat with a suzuki outboard.
Also Kevin, think twice regarding colour blue as it will be nice for the first few years but later the sun will eat it and fades away.

Petecraft Fast Fisher 17 Open/Sports

bigboy