This is our first spring with a Hunter 31 we bought last year and so our first bottom painting. I assumed I would lightly sand the bottom, wash it off, let it dry and paint. I just read in the Warranty however, that sanding the bottom voids the Warranty. ?????
Bottom sanding
- Thread starter brettgrant
- Start date
- Status
But, unless this is a new boat it is unlikely you will sand through the existing bottom paint and into the gel coat. You lightly sand to create "tooth" for better adhere-ing of the new paint. From there it gets more complicated. But if you just want to recover existing bottom paint and you are using the same or similar paint, and its not a ablative paint, then light sanding and a wash are good practice. If you are in a boatyard you'd better check their rules and if they allow you to sand they will want you to collect the dust. Just remember that the guy down wind of you may have just varnished his toe rail when you start to sand. And here on the East End of LI most of the yards do not allow owners to paint their bottom citing pesticide application rules.
Also, I usually touch up the bottom paint rather than repaint every year. I also scrub the bottom often during the season. But I don't want a lot of paint building up on the bottom. I believe the yard uses Interlux Bottomcoat - or at least that's what they charge me for.
Also, I usually touch up the bottom paint rather than repaint every year. I also scrub the bottom often during the season. But I don't want a lot of paint building up on the bottom. I believe the yard uses Interlux Bottomcoat - or at least that's what they charge me for.
The warranty allows you to sand the bottom (bare fiberglass) IF you are applying a barrier coat. You need to verify this with Hunter, but that was their position on the issue.
I must assume you are talking about a NEW boat.
I must assume you are talking about a NEW boat.
Thanks for the replies. We are the first owners of the boat although it is a 2007 boat show boat. The dealer went bankrupt in 2008 and we bought it from GE Finance,... long story. But since it was in the water for shows it was painted last year. I'll check with the boat yard for advice, haven't had time to get down there yet. Brett
Don't sand
First check if you can and check what paint was used ,most dealers use a soft self wearing bottom Antifouling paint.
If you have a soft bottom paint and not hard bottom which most dealers use up north you don't need to sand just power wash and maybe use a acid clealner when the boat was pulled for winter storage last season.
When I was up in NY I never did any sanding and just power washed for winter storage and than new bottom paint in spring splash this paint will wear off as you use your boat.
I came to Florida with my 2007 H-36 and power washed it and applied new SR-60 and splashed her two season in the super warm water here in Florida.
I do not scrub my boat often like most sailboat owners which I feel every time they scrub it they are removing paint and protection,I just use it with lots of sailing and it seems to clean itself from just sailing.
I do dive under my boat to check it and the prop does need a good regular cleaning which does not have any paint on it.
I left the boat in the water here in Florida from July to August when I went to LI and when I came back I did need to clean because the folding prop would not open up but did not touch the haul and clean up after doing some sailing.
I will soon check under boat again and see how it is doing after this past winter of cooler weather.
I think just a good power wash each year is all that needed if not using a hard bottom paint sanding the bottom is not allowed by you in most yards and some don't even allow you to paint either,look and see if your yard is strict about painting bottom my yard did not see me paint after they went home,lots of other owners paint after the yard closes but no sanding I think.
Nick
First check if you can and check what paint was used ,most dealers use a soft self wearing bottom Antifouling paint.
If you have a soft bottom paint and not hard bottom which most dealers use up north you don't need to sand just power wash and maybe use a acid clealner when the boat was pulled for winter storage last season.
When I was up in NY I never did any sanding and just power washed for winter storage and than new bottom paint in spring splash this paint will wear off as you use your boat.
I came to Florida with my 2007 H-36 and power washed it and applied new SR-60 and splashed her two season in the super warm water here in Florida.
I do not scrub my boat often like most sailboat owners which I feel every time they scrub it they are removing paint and protection,I just use it with lots of sailing and it seems to clean itself from just sailing.
I do dive under my boat to check it and the prop does need a good regular cleaning which does not have any paint on it.
I left the boat in the water here in Florida from July to August when I went to LI and when I came back I did need to clean because the folding prop would not open up but did not touch the haul and clean up after doing some sailing.
I will soon check under boat again and see how it is doing after this past winter of cooler weather.
I think just a good power wash each year is all that needed if not using a hard bottom paint sanding the bottom is not allowed by you in most yards and some don't even allow you to paint either,look and see if your yard is strict about painting bottom my yard did not see me paint after they went home,lots of other owners paint after the yard closes but no sanding I think.
Nick
if your sanding be carefull bottom paint is highly toxic just pressure wash.
let dry and paint!! i have an old boat i just found and did not sand.
just pressure washed, and painted!!
let dry and paint!! i have an old boat i just found and did not sand.
just pressure washed, and painted!!
- Status