Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

[island mike]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

Yep

 

[NYGiants]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

Sandblasting a gelcoated hull??? Soda blasting is the way to go. Sand blasting is for steel hulls. At least here on the Great Lakes.

Yes you are correct, my mistake.

 

[Spaniard]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

Thank to all of you for your valuable experience and advise on the matter. At this point, I still am not sure what I am going to do. She is coming in 10 days, so for now I am going to dry storage her.... (it will save me having to spend an additional $2K for a bottom paint at this time). In addition, this will allow me to better assess the situation. I just wish it could be a clear answer....

I think the toughest part of buying a boat at this time of the year is not being able to use it....

 

[Shamfarlango]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

I"m not trying to hijack this thread, but my question is related.

I rubbed some rocks on my last trip this year. there are a few places where the antifoul is gone (gelcoat intact). Reading this post, i'm now wondering if I bother painting the bare spots where the paint was removed. Also, on the bow there is some gelcoat damage that will be repaired in the spring. If i am touching up the antifoul, is there anything special i need to do on the newly fixed gelcoat?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

yes you should touch up the anti-fouling, which is why you keep the can when they paint it (if someone does it for you). Barnacles etc will latch on to that spot. I try to get 3 years out of a paint job, and touch up the bare spots like where the keet hits the beach, etc.

 

[Shamfarlango]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

Thanks for the quick reply. Now I just have to figure out what kind of paint is on it. It was painted when i bought it last spring...so no can unfortunately. I read somewhere on the forums that it has to be the right paint. All i know...its red - ish

 

[island mike]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

You have to find out what suits your boat.
I mean theres a lot of different antifouling paints to choose from,From hard to soft , self polishing etc.etc.
Here in the caribean Antifouling is nearly a yearly returning choir,some peeps use coppercoat its suposed to last 7 years or so...cost a fortune too.
talk to the storemanager he should be able to advice you on everything.I advice you to take it all off(sanding) since you do not know what kind of paint it is..some paints dont play well together.you might have to prime afterwards too.
, a thing to remember two compound does not adhere well to one compound paint.
what I mean is if you use a one compound primer,use a one compound paint.
A two compound primer can be painted over with a one compound paint.NOT the other way around.use acetone to clean .
After you did this a few times you will get better at it it might look like a heap of work but you will do fine.
One last thing...Always start painting at the back of your hull.
use protection. facemask,overall etc. get advice at store.
Good luck.
Regards I mike

 

[Shamfarlango]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

Much appreciated.

 

[island mike]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

youre Welcome.
Ask me if something comes up if you want.
regards I mike

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Can I get away without painting the bottom of my boat?

My 2002 Chaparral 19' white hull has never been painted in the St. Lawrence River. Just a October 1 pressure wash job & stored untill May 1. Sits in the water all summer. green ,easy to remove, fine green scum line. Done