Writing on gelcoat

Posted by mfogo@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 25 comments

I’d like to hear what racing sailors are using to write compass headings on the deck during dinghy races. Will a wax pencil work? Does it wash off without huge effort? Thanks!

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SchoonerSailor@reddit

Can someone clue in a non-racer? On the boats I like to sail you'd get hung from the gaff for writing on the deck.

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There’s a number of different reasons why you’d want to write on the boat. It’s generally easier and quicker than a notebook and makes the info available at hand. You can write anything. The race course buoy order, wind direction, finish position, rig settings.

The most useful marking for me is an arrow on the deck next to the side stays with a +/- so I know which way to spin the turnbuckles when adjusting the rig.

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bentTine@reddit

I use easy removal painter's tape. You can write with a sharpie and it won't bleed through. Easy to read and cleans up easily without harm to the finish.

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Atomnx@reddit

Sharpie! Acetone or rubbing alcohol will take it right off.
If you’re really worried about it put some painters tape first and write on that.

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futurebigconcept@reddit

Lol, we charterd J105 for Big Boat in SF Bay. The first thing our tactician did on day-one of practice was write the tide chart with Sharpie on the bulkhead next to the companionway. At the end of the day, guess what... alcohol or acetone would not remove it. 🙄

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johnbro27@reddit

Dear God one more reason to be glad I never put my boat in a charter. I can't imagine someone writing with a sharpie on any part of anything they didn't expect it to be permanent. Serious assholery.

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Atomnx@reddit

When chartering I put down blue tape first. Always give the boat back better than you started with.

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MissingGravitas@reddit

Use a dry erase marker over the Sharpie, then wipe clean. At least, that's how you get Sharpie off whiteboards.

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Atomnx@reddit

It’s a great method too!

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drillbit7@reddit

That saves me from doing a post about if rubbing alcohol damages gelcoat! I used a marker to mark the previous edges of my registration decals so I could get good alignment for the new ones. I didn't have a working dry erase marker so I used a Sharpie.

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_starrydynamo_@reddit

White duck tape and Sharpie

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mfogo@reddit (OP)

I appreciate your input. Does the Sharpie still work in wet conditions? I’d like not writing directly on the gelcoat.

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ThirstyChello@reddit

Used to work in a brewery. Look for sharpie pro, designed for wetter conditions. Would still work in conditions a normal sharpie absolutely would not.. but still has its limits

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_starrydynamo_@reddit

We write all the marks and headings on it before hand, I've been in very wet conditions and never seen it smudge.

If the tape leaves adhesive, Goo Gone takes it right off.

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mfogo@reddit (OP)

And it cleans off with no trace? Isopropyl alcohol?

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KStieers@reddit

I use a big PostIt whiteboard sticker

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pattern_altitude@reddit

People use compasses in dinghies?

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mfogo@reddit (OP)

Just to be clear, referring to small sailboats as dinghies. For example an FJ or 420 (like in your signature).

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