Hull Paint Scheme, Mild or Wild?

CloudDiver

CloudDiver

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Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
I really want to nail down my final paint plans and I've been on the fence about what I want to do. Sailboats tend to be pretty traditional, even brand new computer designed GRP and composite hulls. I don't see too many examples out there of people 'breaking the mold', and sadly when I have seen something 'different' it is often executed poorly.

I've attached some examples of what I think are some really cool ideas, and trust me it took some doing to search these out on Google Images. Actually, I found them mostly by accident!

I really want to do something fun, interesting, but still tasteful. It would be fun to do anything that raises an eye brow from the 'Yacht Snots', although I'm sure they could care less what they see emblazoned on the hull of a CAT 22... Anyway, it would be great but I have concerns about paint compatibility between my topcoat and whatever is used for graphics (like enamel spray paints over a single polyurethane if you did the 'grafitti' approach). Also, I know that going traditional will just be cheaper and less headache. Still, the idea is so tempting and I have the artistic skill to pull it off.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?




 
DHaranSailor

DHaranSailor

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Oct 13, 2013
182
Wayfarer Mark I GRP Chicago
I am going with solid colors of a slightly off center selection (black hull with red deck) on my wayfarer. I have seen them out there before, but not a lot of them.

As to your examples to me I find them to be to much, personal opinion. The one I do like out of all of them is the third image. It has personal flair without being obtuse.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,175
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
I like unusual graphics on the topsides, and on the sail also, as long as it looks custom... rather than a decal type boat name scrolling across.

I love the look of carbon fiber sails. I love the race boat graphics on the hull and sails.... check out the Volvo ocean race vessels... http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/boat.html although it's mosly advertising, they still look cool... Take a look at the Aussie 18 foot skiffs.... there's a whole professional sailing tour... all the boats have big time graphics.


But here's the deal.... you shouldn't give a hoot what others say about what makes you happy. If YOU think it's cool.... do it. You can always remove it.
 
Johnb

Johnb

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Jan 22, 2008
1,457
Hunter 37-cutter Richmond CA
Why not do whatever you want.

I would not however because for me personally
1 Works of art don't belong in places where damage is inevitable
2 In a couple of years it will have faded unevenly
3 From on board my boat I could not see it - so I would only be doing it for the impact it has on other people
4 It is going to cost money for something that does nothing for my buttoned down engineer's brain.
 
CloudDiver

CloudDiver

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Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
Johnb said:
Why not do whatever you want.

I would not however because for me personally
1 Works of art don't belong in places where damage is inevitable
2 In a couple of years it will have faded unevenly
3 From on board my boat I could not see it - so I would only be doing it for the impact it has on other people
4 It is going to cost money for something that does nothing for my buttoned down engineer's brain.
Click to expand
I tend to agree, its like we say in Racing: "If it doesn't make the bike go faster, stop faster, or turn better then you don't need it".

Then again, my Race Bike had a pretty damn flashy paint job, lol!

 
Meriachee

Meriachee

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Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
Joe said:
I like unusual graphics on the topsides, and on the sail also, as long as it looks custom... rather than a decal type boat name scrolling across.

I love the look of carbon fiber sails. I love the race boat graphics on the hull and sails.... check out the Volvo ocean race vessels... http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/boat.html although it's mosly advertising, they still look cool... Take a look at the Aussie 18 foot skiffs.... there's a whole professional sailing tour... all the boats have big time graphics.


But here's the deal.... you shouldn't give a hoot what others say about what makes you happy. If YOU think it's cool.... do it. You can always remove it.
Click to expand

Joe, I thought we were talking about -boat- graphics. This airplane stuff looks like fun though.
 
C

CaptDon01

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Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
I'm a bit of a traditionalist normally, however, there is a big trimaran in Oceanside Harbor with a simple long mermaid painted along the hull that I always thought was pretty neat. You can see it across the harbor from the boat ramps there.

Don
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,492
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
If you have the skill and are willing to do the work, go for it. But post a picture when you're done. Maybe it would become a new business venture for you.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,175
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Meriachee said:
Joe, I thought we were talking about -boat- graphics. This airplane stuff looks like fun though.
Click to expand
Good observation.... it gives one the opportunity to do something wild with the bottom of the boat also... since these skiffs are often capsized when they aren't flying. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=CPIDw7HB0fQ#t=65

Okay... I can't help myself, here's some 18 footer carnage... an older clip but exciting nonetheless http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-x8Em-HsG4&feature=player_detailpage
 
Gene Neill

Gene Neill

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Sep 30, 2013
3,585
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
Your boat, your choice! I say go for it if it makes you happy. Everyone will know it's you from a mile away! My only concern would be resale, if applicable.

I kinda like the octopus, BTW. :)
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
shemandr said:
If you have the skill and are willing to do the work, go for it. But post a picture when you're done. Maybe it would become a new business venture for you.
Click to expand
I really liked the first one...

... seems you are not going to find a consensus. Do what makes you happy.



If I had the talent, I'd paint a mermaid on the port side and Poseidon to starboard. Maybe some good karma would befall my ship.:thumbup:

... andl Like Shemandr said... you might find a way to fund your sailing hobby.... :D
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
I like the third picture. I always had the thought if I ever owned a Hunter boat I'd paint the "Flying Tiger" logo on the bow, and call it the "Horizon Hunter". Never happened, though, 'cause I'm hooked on Beneteaus.
 
spraygun

spraygun

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Feb 11, 2006
141
Hunter 34 Galveston,Texas
Wrap it in vinyl, from the waterline up of course.Then you can remove it easily.
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,492
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
rgranger said:
...If I had the talent, I'd paint a mermaid on the port side and Poseidon to starboard.
Click to expand
We once had an Etchells in our fleet which was painted white on one side and black on the other. Dang, that boat was hard to keep track of.
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,243
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Samba Pa Ti is a good example ...

I like figures on a white hull. Too much color is overwhelming. Something distinctive that really pops out is my taste.
 

Attachments

CloudDiver

CloudDiver

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Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
If I went the "graffiti" or 'tattoo' style of art route I was thinking exactly along those lines; Kraken, Neptune, Mermaid... Nice combination of traditional maritime folklore.

The hard part with wanting to go this route is compatibility of the paints. I am planning to use Interlux Interprotect 2000 fore prime/barrier coat on the hull then Brightsides single stage for top coat. No anti-foul bottom, this will be a trailer boat. I'm worried about using rattle can enamels over a single polyurethane... fairly certain those two won't like each other.

I'm liking the idea of Vinyl graphics. Plenty of small operations out there that could do simple wraps or plotted cuts that be carefully placed on the bow then stern on each side. Hmmmmm.

rgranger said:
I really liked the first one...

... seems you are not going to find a consensus. Do what makes you happy.



If I had the talent, I'd paint a mermaid on the port side and Poseidon to starboard. Maybe some good karma would befall my ship.:thumbup:

... andl Like Shemandr said... you might find a way to fund your sailing hobby.... :D
Click to expand
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,243
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
The reason I like Samba Pa Ti is the contrast shown in the photo ... all serious race business taking place on deck and a party breaking out at the water line. It shows a certain irreverence for the macho world.

Tattoo or graffiti isn't my thing, maybe I'm too strait-laced but it's so common place now, it's just not distinctive or creative any more. It's all starting to look the same. Also, the nautical themes like Kraken or Neptune are just too aggressive and cliché. So is the mermaid but more like a wet-dream than aggressive (which is kind of aggressively objectifying). I'm not really into cartoons either, like the octopus, but there might be something surprising out there (the octopus isn't to me). I think I like the shark idea the best of those shown, but already done.

I like native (of any culture) art quite a lot and would readily do something with that theme on my boat. I've been keeping my eye out for a great graphic of a Thunderbird and would love to do that (if Sue would go along with it) In Wind, the graphics of Geronimo on the spinnaker and the war dances the guys were doing on deck were GREAT visuals. I'd take my inspiration from that.

Just my opinion ... don't take me seriously! I like the idea of doing something really unique & creative with the hull. And I agree with you about the vinyl graphics, it makes more possible, I think.
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Scott T-Bird said:
... (which is kind of aggressively objectifying)
Click to expand
who puts those two words together...???? That is awesome....

:theman:

I may have just found the name of my next boat

Obiciendum Infensi
:thumbup:

Or maybe just go with Obiciendum ;)
 
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