Preparing and painting your boats bottom is always a part of the tradition of boat ownership unless you cannot do the job yourself. Their are several do-it-yourself yards in St. Augustine to do the work. Several yards require that you MUST purchase paint and supplies at their Store, while at other yards its okay to bring your own. First thing to do if you wish to do it yourself is check that policy at each yard. You can save a bundle if you buy your own stuff (look for closeouts to get good deals on bottom paint). You use cheap brushes, rollers, latex disposable gloves and if you can stand the heat, tyvek or overalls to keep the paint off of you. Its a messy job!! But the results are awarding.
As for how to? Their are a hundred articles, videos, etc, on how to paint a bottom. Its very simple and very easy. That 5K price is ridiculous!!!!!!!
Figure with a lift in and out, hull blocking, power wash the hull and your labor (scrap off the bottom growth), stripe the water line and paint, you can do it under 1K (providing your blister free, no change out of the cutlass bearing, thru hulls are okay, rudder is fine and prop/shaft are okay). Do not forget to change the zinc!
Do it yourself! You will know your boat better, save a bundle of $$$$$$ and take the pride in what you have done. Besides, get the family involved as well..............not quite like washing Fido in the pool, but nothing beats hanging out in a boat yard
If you want to travel a ways and head through downtown Jacksonville and down the St. John's, check out the Green Cove Springs yard for do-it yourself.
Good luck
Bob
1988 Mark II
