Thinking of painting the bottom...

[Road King Cole]

Looks like the bottom of my boat hasn't been painted in 10 years or so as the previous owner kept it on a trailer and didn't care how it looked. I will also be keeping it on a trailer and have no future intentions of keeping it moored or on a slip. The old paint was probably an ablative as the paint below the waterline is pretty thin in most spots to no paint at all in others.

The boat is on a roller trailer. I do not have boat jacks or a hoist.

The paint was blue, I would like to have the no paint look, but I am afraid that it would need to be sandblasted or I might die sanding it all that well to get it white. (I'm 52, kinda big and sometimes have arthritic flare ups...besides the toxic dust). I was also planning a week off to work on the boat, but the wife had a “better idea”. So it would be weeknights and weekends.

I am thinking of using Pettit Vivid bright, probably would need to stick with blue.

Options would be

A) Support the rear, pull the trailer out just enough to sand\paint the area under the rollers. Then do the front back on the trailer.
B) Jack up one side of the boat and sand\paint one side at a time. I am not sure if this is applicable on a roller trailer.
C) Pay someone to do it.
D) Live with it for now and just enjoy the boat.

Looking forward to comments and advice!

thanks!

rkc

[nymack66]

RKC,
I am not sure where you are located, here is what I did with mine during my restoration, I found a handy man on Criaig's and paid him to do the sanding and prep work it in my driveway cost me 100 dollars (agreed up front)
I now found a mobile media blasting service here in Orlando (bummer) after the fact!
I however prep the Boat by placing it on blocks ( which I return to the store) once I was done with it not all since I painted a few :)
Unhook the Boat from the vehicle and lower the jack on the trailer all the down this will raise the transom up. Insert the blocks and then jack her up this will semi clear the back of the trailer, now link the trailer on the truck and secure it, slowly ease forward whilst a person stands by the trailer winch to quickly lock if the hull attempts be pulled off the blocks, I inserted blocks in the middle supporting as I go along, note 2 plus man job here.
If you have a stationary something at the back of the hull attach her to it, it will prevent the hull from moving forward with the trailer and off the blocks.
In my case the House was not an option :)
Use 3/4 ply on top of the blocks never have the hull in contact with the cement blocks.
I use a automotive 3 ton jack in the middle to roll her side to side moving the blocks around the paint job to complete the Gel Coat process.
During the painting process only use carpet on top of the ply to prevent paint peeling off (do not use carpet during the trailer removal process) it will work against you.

Inserting the trailer is a breeze
Soap up the trailer rollers, bunks and all, wet the entire bottom of the boat use (Laundry detergent) and please keep her linked on to the truck and slowly back the trailer under it, hook up the winch and once half way there crank her right on. Mine slide right on to the complete amazement to my friends and spectators!

Please be careful and err on the side of caution like I did use extra blocks, do NOT use there blocks on its sides always use in the upright position for maximum strength.

See this rim under the Boat? It was not use, however when I was under the Boat guess what was next me?


I arrange the Bocks for max support

Here I moved the blocks forward for painting

Here is a picture of the jack

[macojoe]

to go back to lean bottom you will need to have it soda blasted, then you eill need barrier paint, then paint of choice to finish

there was a guy on crigs that was advertising soda blast pretty cheap a while ago.

I am painting mine this year as I will be in a slip this year.
When you go over the rt6 bridge near the foxy lady I will be right there on the ocean side.

[nipper]

Yuck, I would not sand the bottom of a V20 for $100 bucks. I have only sanded bottom paint and repainted once, and I will never do it again! I have a rather long story to tell why not, but no time for it right now. Let's just say it has to do with the terribly toxic nature of bottom paint and accidental application thereof to one's must private part.

[macojoe]

this guy says he will paint for $5 a foot, ask about sanding, it won't hurt??

http://capecod.craigslist.org/boa/1624609296.html

[Road King Cole]

Thanks!

If I was going with plan A, I would be bracing mine up in the stern similar to your pictures and see if I could do it without removing the trailer completely. Thanks for the details and pics!

Last craigslist I saw for soda blasting was about 700 bucks I think.

I will keep that guys number handy. I don't mind doing the painting itself, it's all the preparation.

Not sure how well the white paint would look, it would may be "too white" anyhow.

Perhaps I should just keep it blue which could drastically reduce the prep work.

Yes, MJ I am looking forward to your slip party!