Osmosis special: Recognising, treating and preventing osmosis - the complete guide

The only ideal time for effective osmosis prevention is before the boat is christened - i.e. before the first launch!"

So says Peter Wrede, a specialist in underwater hull work. With his company Peter Wrede Yacht Refits has the experience of more than 5,000 underwater ship refits and can be found at three locations, in Wedel near Hamburg, in Kappeln and in Neustadt on the Bay of Lübeck. In specially equipped and temperature-controlled blasting and coating facilities, the work ranges from osmosis prevention and osmosis remediation to corrosion protection of hulls and keels as well as modern antifouling systems.

What is osmosis?

Prevention before the first ditching? Isn't osmosis a problem, especially on older GRP yachts? Not at all. As soon as a boat hull comes into contact with water, the osmotic process begins. But what is osmosis anyway?

• The development of osmosis

How do you recognise osmosis?

The term "osmosis" is associated with great horror for many owners; there is hardly a boat buyer who does not inspect a boat for signs of blistering disease. But How do you recognise osmosis and its extent?

• Recognising osmosis damage reliably and in good time

Can you repair osmosis damage yourself?

However, osmosis is often not as bad as is often assumed. If the owner is aware of the problem areas of his boat and keeps an eye on them, a renovation can often be delayed for a few years. At some point, however, a Refurbishment due. These can be done by skilled craftsmen do it yourself.

• How to do osmosis remediation yourself

How do professionals restore osmosis damage?

However, such DIY refurbishment involves many hours of strenuous labour under adverse conditions. That is why there are providers for the refurbishment of boat hulls such as Peter Wrede Yacht Refitswho have specialised in osmosis restoration and yacht painting for over 30 years. In this article, the Professionalsas they are in a Osmosis remediation proceed.

• Osmosis remediation by a professional

Can the hull be protected against osmosis?

However, a complete refurbishment is not necessary. Which brings us back to the quote above. Because osmosis prevention actually begins before the first dumping of water. But even without osmosis damage, a professional overhaul of the underwater hull can make sense. Afterwards, the hull is free of old paint and looks like new. And you should also take this opportunity to consider osmosis protection. As the professionals from Peter Wrede Yacht Refits one Refurbishing the underwater hull and at the same time a Osmosis prophylaxis is explained in this article.

• Effective osmosis prevention

You can read about this in the osmosis special:

• Part 1: The development of osmosis
• Part 2: Recognising osmosis reliably
• Part 3: DIY osmosis remediation
• Part 4: Osmosis remediation from a professional
• Part 5: Professional osmosis prophylaxis