Why are most boats painted white?

[ChrisClark]

Seems like there is an over-abundance of white boats in this world. What is the reason for this? Is it to be more easily seen at night? Is it because it is cooler in the sun?

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

The 2 reasons you site are probably true. It probably has to do with the molds and gel-coat,you can obtain a better color match in mass production with wht., than you could with colors,at least that is my 2$ worth.<br />White is also easier to maintain,clean and wax than colors.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

Look for Joe Bryant's of Bryant Boat's post on www.trailerboats.com in the boats section.Sorry I couldn't link to the actual post.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

One reason is that the lighter the color, the harder it is to see blimishes (large & small) than with a dark color. I don't if you've ever seen one or not but the plugs ( that's the part molds are made off of )the better boat builders use are black. The black shows up any and all imperfections like hooks, bows, fabric pattern etc.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[crab bait]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

white boats sells... and it common for a reason.. manufactures wouldn't want to blow a sale cause of an odd color..an to give the costumer something else to talk themselves out of.....HONEY I LIKE IT... it white just like the JONES' BOAT..

 

[DJ]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

Fishn4fun,<br /><br />White is very popular for several reasons. Some mentioned above.<br /><br />1. White is most popular in warmer climates. It reflects the sun. Many Northern boats have darker interiors and hull colors. The darker colors absorb UV rays thus warming up the boat.<br /><br />2. White is less prone to fade.<br /><br />3. Harder to see blemishes.<br /><br />4. It color coordinates with anything-engines, etc.<br /><br />5. White has the best resale value. The same is true for cars and trucks.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

I'll quote the late great Henry Ford...<br /><br />"You can have any color you want, as long as it's black..."

 

[novacane]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

my boats black all black with gray seats came from the factory that whey [back in 1965

 

[ELLIOTT9509]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

IN RESPONSE TO COLOUR CODES, I WAS ONCE TOLD, (DO NT QUOTE ME, THAT IT WAS AN EVOLUTIONARY / SURVIVAL THING/<br />ALL FISH ARE COLOUR CODED FROM THE TOP OF THEIR BACK , DOWN TO THEIR LATERAL LINE , IN SUCH A WAY AS TO BLEND IN WITH WHAT IS BELOW THEM, SUCH AS THE BOTTOM, AS SEEN BY PREDATORS ABOVE THEM. HOWEVER , AS SEEN BY PREDATORS BELOW THEM, THEY ARE COLOURED LIGHT TO A SHADE WHICH BLENDS WITH THEIR MID LATERAL LINE AS SEEN FROM THE BOTTOM , UP, TOWARDS THE SKY, TO BE INVISIBLE. THIS WAS COPIED, I THINK WITH THE CAMOUFLAGE ON WARPLANES, EG THE SPITFIRE, WITH ITS GREEN TOP, AND LIGHTER BOTTOM, TO BE UNSEEN BY ANTIAIRCRAFT FIRE, AND UNSEEN BY OTHER PLANES ABOVE.<br /><br />ELLIOT, FURRIER

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

oh, oh. Then I better change the color on my bottom paint back to white....<br />I suspect Hooty's right: it's easier to hide flaws in white boats, and they also look skookum at boat shows. I'd sure like my tupperward boat to look dark green or blue, though.

 

[DJ]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

I recently read in some BASS forums that many tournament fishermen are very picky about the color of the their boats bottom. Most prefer white or light grey, even on a boat with darker metal flake sides.<br /><br />I've heard flats fishermen prefer all white because it is harder for Snook to see them.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

Let me get this straight. We roar up to a fishing area running our 200, 400 hp engines, change to a 20 hp trolling motor, punch in the coordinates in our gps, drop our tackle box lid, kick over a beer can, throw 4 lures and/or flies into the water, stumble over the **** bucket, cackle "Thet thar is a naice feesh!" but keep the bottom of our boats pristine white so we don't scare the fish????

 

[round2it]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

Yep, kinda sneaky ain't it?

 

[ChrisClark]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

Now, I gotta say I like the fish coloring camouflauge ideas. I might apply the reverse theory though. Most fish I fish for love cover. Why not accentuate the visibility by painting light on top and dark on the bottom and have the fish coming too you for protection?

 

[Dennyps]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

You gotta admitt white looks clean longer, dosen't show the dirt and it's just darn pretty now ain't it.

 

[gevannos]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

Dark colors absorb heat and can cause epoxy and polyester resin to ****le and in tropical heat can cause the resin to soften.

 

[bayman]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

Do you know how HOT it would get in a big black cabin cruiser!<br /><br />That's why my boat is white!<br /><br />-bayman

 

[Hi&Dri]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

All good points above. More:<br /><br />White pigment is the most opaque. Easier for the gellcoat to hide the stuff underneath.So it works better after more compounds.<br /><br />Darker pigments tend to degrade faster under UV. Witness burgundy or navy vs.white after a few years with little maintenance. And reds fade faster than blues. And if it's there, you don't see chalking on the white.<br /><br />Mike

 

[G DANE]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

Hi Gents <br /><br />I think there are other reasons as well. If you go back in the story, boating was for making one a living, as fishing, freight and so on. These boats were rarely white, they were woden build, either nautural or painted black, green or blue. The darker colours were convenient, as dirt, scratches a.s.o. from mooring and hard work were less visible. When the yachts and pleasure boats began to be common among richer people, they were often painted white, to signal this is something different. Look at old Photos. This was where our tradition started. Just my 2C W.

 

[16kenner]

Re: Why are most boats painted white?

I think they're white so that when you take a wave or a swell the wrong way and your boat flips over, it makes it easier for somebody to find you.