Hot Vac Hull-Drying System

[jim767]

Has anyone used or have experience with a Hot Vac Hull Drying System?

I believe the unit is of UK manufacture.

Your experiences/ observations please.

[Piercecheers]

Originally Posted by jim767

Has anyone used or have experience with a Hot Vac Hull Drying System?

I believe the unit is of UK manufacture.

Your experiences/ observations please.

I saw once a few years ago. They just used some typical electronic blankets on hull to reduce curing time. That was really successful.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Piercecheers.

“HotVac operates by....
The intimate application of controlled heat under high vacuum conditions directly to the surface of the boat's hull...”
More ➥ http://www.hotvac.com/process/default.aspx

And ➥ http://www.hotvac.com/

[Blue Stocking]

This may be a little off-topic, but might be interesting to some.
Some years ago, I assisted a friend on a 100% bottom job on a C&C 34.
As we were out in the open in the boat yard, we double wrapped the boat in heavy polyethelene outside of, and under the stands. To gain access to the enclosure, and keep our 80% humidity out, he took 2 large plastic trash cans, cut the bottoms out, overlapped and taped the bottoms with duct tape. Remove the outer top,crawl through and close top, same thing to enter the enclosure. Worked a treat.

[ronpyles1]

We have the Hot Vac Hull drying system here at Anchors Away Boatyard in Hampstead, NC. Please go to our website at www. anchorsawayboatyard.com to learn more or give Chris a call at 910-270-4741.

[James S]

Welcome to the forum Ron.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

This may be a little off-topic, but might be interesting to some.
Some years ago, I assisted a friend on a 100% bottom job on a C&C 34.
As we were out in the open in the boat yard, we double wrapped the boat in heavy polyethelene outside of, and under the stands. To gain access to the enclosure, and keep our 80% humidity out, he took 2 large plastic trash cans, cut the bottoms out, overlapped and taped the bottoms with duct tape. Remove the outer top,crawl through and close top, same thing to enter the enclosure. Worked a treat.

I've seen this type of enclosure done with a couple of air conditioners, to take the moisture out of the hull. I saw no discoloration from weeping moisture in the ground out blisters after it was done for about a week. Has anyone ever tried this?

[minaret]

I have a great deal of experience with HotVac. We were the first people in the Western US to own and operate one. We now use DryHull, a very similar product made for us by a hotvac designer. I've used the system on dozens of hulls for all sorts of drying, even cored hulls with wet core. It works great but needs constant attention and maintenance. Ask away if you have any questions, I've pretty much got all the manuals memorized. Here's our custom DryHull system...

[minaret]

Sorry heres some pics from the shop cam instead of links. Note the reading on the moisture meter...

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I've seen this type of enclosure done with a couple of air conditioners, to take the moisture out of the hull. I saw no discoloration from weeping moisture in the ground out blisters after it was done for about a week. Has anyone ever tried this?

I've tried most systems at some point, from IR heat to natural drying, but I've never heard anyone suggest an AC. To my mind it would cause condensation and moisture to accumulate on the hull more likely than it would the opposite. But I don't know as I've never tried it...

[Cheechako]

the water extracted by the AC goes outside the tent. it's very cold inside the tent for sure. one owner told me his doors inside the boat would no longer close properly until after the boat was done.....

[minaret]

Sure you're not talking about a big de-humidifier? Looks a lot like an AC but isn't. An AC doesn't extract water, but a de-humidifier does.

[Cheechako]

look at the back of a window ac unit, the water runs out a little tube. On a big commercial unit it runs out like a hose! Maybe they had both though. It's a good point, ac units dry things out terribly, (especailly my sinuses!) but how does that work....? They are blowing cold air in...? I guess they extract the humidity on the way in and eventually the air inside ends up drier as the old air is forced out...?