1990 Wellcraft Fish 18 Overhaul Thread

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Starzofchaos

Now I am need of some help... I am looking in the Northeast Florida area to get the bottom painted. The last owner tried to remove it by using a 60 or 80 grit sand paper, so its pretty scored. So the best repair that I've been told is sand the old paint off, fill the damaged areas and repaint it.

Thoughts?

IMHO, It depends on what you want the boat to do. If all you're looking for is a fishing vessel and you don't mind loosing a few MPH , just take off the old paint (Soda Blasting) and repaint it with whatever you are going to put on. If, on the other hand, you want max speed out of your hull, then you'll need to remove the paint, sand everything flat, repair where necessary and then repaint her.

Case in point.. I used to have a 19' Crusiers Inc tri-hull that the PO had sanded with what looked like a chain saw... (Deep gouges all over the bottom) All I wanted was a fishing platform, and with a 90 hp engine she wasn't going to break any speed records anyways... so I gave her a light sanding for better paint adhesion, painted her and used her like that for 4 years without a single incident. It all depends on what YOU are looking for and are willing to put up with.

[Starzofchaos]

Ya I am looking to get another 10 years or so out of her. So I'll try to get it looking decent. The bottom coat is really bad and needs to be done. I am looking into doing a hard bottom type like Pettit Vivid, since It will be out of the water most of the time on a trailer. I think I have found a place that will let me DIY, even rent the equipment....

[Stinky_Hooker]

Awesome job and fantastic boat. I miss my 18. Its was alot of boat in a small package, heavy and rode better than most newer 22-24' bay boats Ive been in. Used her offshore plenty out to 30 miles. I have a smaller boat now I use way more but I still loved that ol girl.


Check my album for starboard ideas if you need em.