Bottom painting on a trailer

[Seahorse24]

We discovered the stub keel could support the whole boat. We removed the twelve foot long bunks on both sides and strapped the boat down so so it could not roll. We placed boards on each side as well.

We made individual pads we could swing out of position one at a time, but we found we could leave all four swung out to the side and the boat would not move.

That stub keel is one strong keel. The stub keel weighs 650 pounds and the internal swing keel weighs 200 pounds for a total of 850 lbs. The boat displaces a total of 2900 pounds of water.

We're hoping this old Yankee Seahorse 24 rides the waves again in September.

 

[Seahorse24]

Here is another photo taken from under the boat.

 

[Leopotter]

Are brushing, rolling or spraying your bottom paint?

 

[Capt jgw]

I used to do a similar process. Jack the keel up and place on auto jack stands so it had about one inch clearance. Haul the boat to one side with a tackle (main sheet) , remove the other bolster and paint. Let it dry, repeat on the other side. Worked for me on my 24 footer.

 

[Seahorse24]

Are brushing, rolling or spraying your bottom paint?

We are using nine inch 3/8 inch nap rollers mostly, along with a three inch roller and a brush for tight places around the bottom of the stub keel.

 

[Leopotter]

I think I am going to have to do some fiberglass repair once I bring her home this fall. I am figuring I will repaint then. Thanks for the pics and the info.

 

[WayneH]

When I put bottom paint on my trailer sailboat, I only worked on one side at a time. The boards under the deck joint made sure the boat could only tilt towards the side of the trailer with bunk boards. Wait for the paint to dry, reinstall the bunk boards and switch sides.

 

[Tom G P-21]

I ended up doing something similar, jack up the boat and put 2x6's on the keel rollers. Two pieces of 2x6's, jack up the front and slip one in, then repeat for the stern. Then tilt the boat from one side to the next while working on it. Using a strap to keep it from tipping. I found the best roller to use was the 6 inch mini rollers (some people call them hot dog rollers because that is about the size of them). The small diameter is handy to get between the bunks and the hull, as well as getting into the curve were the keel meets the hull. Unfortunately one of the stanchions for the bunks, on each side, sit over the axle so I can't drop the bunks on the side I am working on.

 

[Seahorse24]

Here is a photo of the boat after the top coat of Acrylic paint was applied. I went with a light yellow, which my son suggested.