I have an H34 and need to redo the bottom. The PO painted VC17 over the factory boot stripe. I have seen some talk about the difference between fresh and saltwater waterlines. How do you know where to put the boot stripe on a freshwater boat? Also how do you mark it out so it looks right? Thanks in advance. I always get good info here.
Freshwater waterline?
- Thread starter a65sailor
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a waterline is a waterline....those that differentiate between a saltwater line and a freshwater line are cutting hairs that dont need to be cut.
a boot stripe and a waterline are two different things... a boot stripe is a decoration, whereas a waterline is a telltale marking.
once you know your boat, you will be able to look at it and tell if its balanced the way you want it.
many people have had the water line raised because of the loads they are carrying, and others like the look of a thin waterline, even though they have very little in the boat.
you can either raise or lower the waterline as it already is on the boat, which is probably the same line as the boat design called for originally...
if you sand down you will find the original lines under the layers of paint...
or, you can sail the boat, readjust the loading, and the rigging, then sail some more.... and fine tune it all until you get the boat loaded the way you want it for the way it sails and handles the best... then mark a new waterline about an inch to an inch and a half above the actual water level on the hull.... and have it all changed to those marks.
and add a boot stripe to it if you like...
a boot stripe and a waterline are two different things... a boot stripe is a decoration, whereas a waterline is a telltale marking.
once you know your boat, you will be able to look at it and tell if its balanced the way you want it.
many people have had the water line raised because of the loads they are carrying, and others like the look of a thin waterline, even though they have very little in the boat.
you can either raise or lower the waterline as it already is on the boat, which is probably the same line as the boat design called for originally...
if you sand down you will find the original lines under the layers of paint...
or, you can sail the boat, readjust the loading, and the rigging, then sail some more.... and fine tune it all until you get the boat loaded the way you want it for the way it sails and handles the best... then mark a new waterline about an inch to an inch and a half above the actual water level on the hull.... and have it all changed to those marks.
and add a boot stripe to it if you like...
I did find the original waterline during sanding. Which made me wonder why you would paint over it. That is where I found the fresh and salt discussions. If I can use the original that makes it much easier.
a lot of times the boot stripe has deteriorated to the point where it needs to be redone also... it seems that the previous painter of the bottom took a short cut and saved himself a bit of time and tape... one tape line, a swipe or two of the brush and presto!... all traces of a damaged boot stripe have been buried and forgotton...
use the original mark...
depending entirely on the hull design, in fresh water the boat may settle into the water about a half inch more than its depth in saltwater...
for a 10,000lb boat setting in seawater vs freshwater, the displacement difference is about 4.5 CF of water...
A lot of boot tops are just too low. Old racers wanted it on the light loaded water line, this just leaves with a dirty boot. My preference is to have at least 6" of bottom paint showing above actual water line and then a boot top. Sure looks better. I recommend epoxy to above maximum float level plus a couple of inches.
Don Lucas;1098686 "Bet if you clean yours down to the "waterline" and leave that nice clean gap between the bottom paint and the stripe that your end up with a nice dirty line around the boat.[/quote said:
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Boot stripe...
On the northern Chesapeake we have brackish water that over the summer season leaves a brown staining up over the boot stripe and onto the hull itself. It comes off with FSR and some elbow grease and is usually another one of those Spring commissioning chores to get the boat ready.
Heavy waxing of the boot stripe barely restores its color, but does make removing the "tub ring" much easier.
Pix is of the boat hauled out for the winter after its purchase. Note how far up the hull the staining gets.
On the northern Chesapeake we have brackish water that over the summer season leaves a brown staining up over the boot stripe and onto the hull itself. It comes off with FSR and some elbow grease and is usually another one of those Spring commissioning chores to get the boat ready.
Heavy waxing of the boot stripe barely restores its color, but does make removing the "tub ring" much easier.
Pix is of the boat hauled out for the winter after its purchase. Note how far up the hull the staining gets.
Attachments
I guess I will repaint to the existing line and add a nice boot stripe. Thank you for all the input.