Bottom paint help

[rb437]

Ok so here's the deal. I have a choice between another season of sharing a boat ramp with a bunch of inexperienced, inconsiderate neighbors or I can rent a slip within walking distance from my home for $210.00 for the season. If I use the slip I need to paint the bottom. The bottom has never been painted before. I know some of you will cringe at the idea that I'm considering painting the boat, but that's what I'm considering. My questions are how should I paint a previously unpainted boat (sanding, priming?), and what kind of paint to use. I've done a little research but am a little confused by all the different kinds of paint. The boat would be in the brackish water of the mid Chesapeake Bay and be used weekly or at least 2-3 times per month. Winters will still be on the trailer. What do you guys think?

Happy Easter

[tsubaki]

Do read (basically everything) each can.
Best as I remember some dosen't do well out of contact with the water.
Some may be more suited to in and of the water like your describing.
Seems that certain ones want the hull to be sanded with 40 while others just want a deglossing to stick.
Redid a skiff a couple of weeks ago and found that barnicals attached to certain paints as did moss.

They removed easily, it was like a film had grown over to allow them to attach.
Weigh out the need for checking the boat so often and keeping batteries up for the bilge amongst the other things to have to worry about a boat being docked for a duration.
I've found here it takes about 14 days for small barnicals to start, if I use the boat frequently they din't seem to have a chance to take hold on an unpainted hull. Although I know they will.

[tsubaki]

Careful about painting the foot, transducer or anything else.
Certain ones will eat (corrode) certain materials.
Read the active ingrediants and %, there might be some light shed there.
Like generic and name brand drugs, they may have the same composition at different prices.

[randlemanboater]

I know several folks on here leave their boats in the water, but I couldn't stand it. If I leave mine in overnight I can't sleep.

Worrying about checking the lines daily, keeping the battery charged so the bilge pump works and the boat doesn't sink, water seeping into the transom through an unsealed screw or bolt hole, corrosion, oh the corrosion.......

Maybe you could get the slip and still use the trailer on weeks when you wont be using the boat as much. That would make me feel better.

[rb437]

Originally Posted by randlemanboater

I know several folks on here leave their boats in the water, but I couldn't stand it. If I leave mine in overnight I can't sleep.

Worrying about checking the lines daily, keeping the battery charged so the bilge pump works and the boat doesn't sink, water seeping into the transom through an unsealed screw or bolt hole, corrosion, oh the corrosion.......

Maybe you could get the slip and still use the trailer on weeks when you wont be using the boat as much. That would make me feel better.

I hear ya. The slip I'm getting is available through the community and they are limited in number. If they find that your boat is not in the slip at least 1/2 the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day then you risk losing the slip. I do intend to put the boat back on the trailer when I know I won't be using it for awhile or if the weather is going to be bad so paint that can stand to be in and out of the water is what I need.

Originally Posted by tsubaki

Careful about painting the foot, transducer or anything else.
Certain ones will eat (corrode) certain materials.
Read the active ingrediants and %, there might be some light shed there.
Like generic and name brand drugs, they may have the same composition at different prices.

I want the cheapest that works.

[Airslot]

Go to Petits website and use the paint selector. Hydrocoat is about 120 a gallon.

[Stillrunning]

Thats a great deal to have a place to keep your boat. I don't know if you have ever had the experience of having a boat in the water ready to use when ever you want but its great. Nothing better than coming home after a long days work packing up a few bears and going for a ride or little fishing. Maybe an after dinner cruise as the sun is setting on a warm summers night. Its just great and I miss so much not living on the water. Paint the boat and you can buy matching spray paint for the areas of the engine (like where it mounts to the boat) to prevent barnicals and enjoy it.

[rambilt]

Originally Posted by rb437

Ok so here's the deal. I have a choice between another season of sharing a boat ramp with a bunch of inexperienced, inconsiderate neighbors or I can rent a slip within walking distance from my home for $210.00 for the season. If I use the slip I need to paint the bottom. The bottom has never been painted before. I know some of you will cringe at the idea that I'm considering painting the boat, but that's what I'm considering. My questions are how should I paint a previously unpainted boat (sanding, priming?), and what kind of paint to use. I've done a little research but am a little confused by all the different kinds of paint. The boat would be in the brackish water of the mid Chesapeake Bay and be used weekly or at least 2-3 times per month. Winters will still be on the trailer. What do you guys think?

Happy Easter

Sorry for my ignorance, but why do you have to have the bottom of your boat painted to use a slip? I'm in the market for a boat and I normally shy away from the bottom painted boat even though it looks nice and priced right. Could someone please explain. Thanks.

[spareparts]

if you are in salt or brackish, the growth on the bottom of your boat has to be controlled by bottom paint( has biocides adn is ablative for the growth to fall off). Fresh water isn't as bad, but it still grow on it if left alone long enough. Down here, in the summer time, even with good paint, the divers clean the hulls every three weeks to keep a boat ready for use, go one or two weeks too long, and it won't even get on plane.

[rb437]

One more question, how much paint do I need to paint the bottom?