New to me Boat questions: round 2

D

Donald Tyson

Member
1) For a boat I had Surveyed the Surveyor told me that the bottom paint (hard) was worn thin. He suggested that the boat should be sanded to the gelcoat and have two coats of epoxy put back on and two coats or so of hard bottom paint put over that. I have trouble believing that. I said to him that since the existing paint so accurately matched the topside paint I had assumed it was colored gelcoat and was surprised to hear that it was actually bottom paint. Since the paint is so nicely applied and it looks like gelcoat could'nt I sand it lightly and slop on some Dr. Bob Vivid...roll on some smooth thin coats and be done. What am I missing. Even some of the other brands might work well. It ain't a rocket ship. I won't be towing skiers nor will I be racing. I'll rarely be in salt or brackish and for the most part the boat will spend a lot of time on the trailer

2) Should the bottoms of trim tabs be painted as well.

This year will be shakedown trips with the intention of completing the Northern loop. If I launch North of West Point do I even need to add any bottom pain this year as there won't be any salt present in these waters?
 
Based on your use, rarely in salt or brackish water, I’d consider removing the bottom paint entirely. That said it is easier to scuff the hull and apply another coat of the existing bottom paint than it would be to strip to Gelcoat and polish. The two coats of epoxy your surveyor recommended is a barrier coat to the fiberglass, recommended if sitting in the water for long periods, again doesn’t sound like you need based on your use.
 
I would agree on the epoxy if in the water a long time. You can pt ablative paint on the hard bottom paint-sand lightly. It is so hard to get all of the old bottom paint off and then a really good smooth gel coat--I would not bother with that.

Vivid worked well for me. The man who worked on my Caracal Cat last year put on a Sea Hawk bottom paint. I have over a gallon left. but with our freezes, Marie's plants are taken over the place where the paint is stored, so I cannot give you which name it is. (one of several--ablative and terribly expensive. I usually put two coats of ablative on.

I normally don't paint the trim tabs, if you do, there are special paints for that. I would leave the trim tabs alone for now, as long as they are in good repair.
 
It all depends on whether you plan to keep the boat in the water, for how long, or on a trailer.

If the boat is on a trailer and in the water for only a week or two at a time you probably won't need any bottom paint, and I would leave the current paint job on until it wears off. I cruise Puget Sound for 1-2 weeks at a time and never have had problems with "permanent" fouling (growth). I put a good coat of wax on the bottom every spring and then wash off the scum that collects on the hull in our eutrophic waters after every trip. Simple Green works well as does the Starbrite deck cleaner.
 
We've been married 48 yrs and My wife, who is a professional plant buyer and also a collector, her plants have drooped all over everywhere as well:

-"but with our freezes, Marie's plants are taken over the place where the paint is stored, so I cannot give you which name it is.
two coats of ablative on."

Two Coats....easy peasy.

-"I normally don't paint the trim tabs, if you do, there are special paints for that. I would leave the trim tabs alone for now, as long as they are in good repair.[/quote]"

Trim tabs would be easy to clean or scrape with plastic scraper or Scotchbrite.
 
In South Florida Waters in a week you will have significant fouling on the bottom of a fiberglass, waxed or not. We used to spend 3 months in the Winter in Marathon, with the Caracal Cat as our daily fishing boat. The Vivid lasted for many years, and no fouling. Folks without bottom paint had to haul once a week to removed growth--and even some barnacle foot plates in this short time. In the PNW, not a problem.
 
Hi Donald,

You still haven’t told us what boat you bought? Or I missed the post you placed it on. Hopefully you found a C-Dory in your price range.

Please do tell us, noisy C-Brats need to know (Lol).

Ed,
C-Handler
 
Yes indeed, As soon as the last signature is added next week, It splashes, that's if all paperwork goes well, mid week.

Do you think maybe I'm a little bit excited?

The seller has been very patient, helpful, and encouraging. Thanks seller!
 
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