Best bottom paint scraper

Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Take a pencil and mark a two by two area. Set the timer and have a go. If it's too slow switch to the strippers. I did that years ago. Made good sense on a smaller boat.

All U Get
 
May 17, 2004
5,547
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
you will be done before you know it - about 30 hours for a 30' boat
There, fixed that for you. As least that was my experience sanding 20 years of paint off a 28' boat.

I have used the U shaped scraper like Sefuller pictured. It worked reasonably well for the especially bad areas, but unless you really work hard to cover large areas, after scraping there will still be poorly adhered sections that flake off onto the roller at the next painting.
 
Sep 23, 2009
1,475
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Thank you all! Such a great amount of helpful information.
If I decide to strip the bottom, I will likely have the yard soda blast it. However I am considering this year just scrapping off the loose areas, applying a light coat of paint and doing the job properly next year.
One, I am in a very expensive yard this year so the soda blast alone is about 2k, two I don't want to mess with applying more barrier coat right now as three, I wanted to concentrate on the mast and new standing rigging this year.
 
Jul 26, 2009
291
. . .
If I decide to strip the bottom, I will likely have the yard soda blast it. However I am considering this year just scrapping off the loose areas, applying a light coat of paint and doing the job properly next year.
Took this exact approach over the last couple of years as other projects took precedence. I would sand/scrape any loose paint each off season (found sanding w/ a RO and shopvac far more effective than scraping btw). It was enough to convince me to spring for the soda blasting when the time was right. Had it done this past fall and couldn't be happier with the end result. Money well spent IMO. Good luck with your project.
 
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
I have found that the absolute best scrapper is "son" or "daughter"
Boat bottoms also let "dad" teach some important life lessons like Have at least three kids, start having kids early, etc.
 
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Sep 23, 2009
1,475
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
I have found that the absolute best scrapper is "son" or "daughter"
Boat bottoms also let "dad" teach some important life lessons like Have at least three kids, start having kids early, etc.
Yes, a lesson I wished I had learned much younger.