I am considering a purchase of a 30ft fixed keel sailboat. I am curious about the general advice on painting of the hull. I am in a fresh water lake, very clean water, the boat will stay in the water year round. How often should the hull be painted? I have an option to buy a trailer for the boat, but would rarely want to pull the boat out. I am not much of a do it yourselfer, but no real service available near me. How often would I pull the boat for painting? Can you paint it on the trailer? Thoughts on hull care would be appreciated. Scott
Hull painting
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Scott, Do you refer to bottom paint or topsides and deck
painting. Rather hard to apply bottom paint when on a trailer. Topsides and deck would be no problem. We dock in fresh water for about six months each year and I just do a few touch ups each spring. Most of the stuff that grows on the bottom is soft and would probably scrub off by hand in the water. The topsides and deck get repainted every two or three years. We wait until the paint is worn and a bit shabby before we pile on another coat.
painting. Rather hard to apply bottom paint when on a trailer. Topsides and deck would be no problem. We dock in fresh water for about six months each year and I just do a few touch ups each spring. Most of the stuff that grows on the bottom is soft and would probably scrub off by hand in the water. The topsides and deck get repainted every two or three years. We wait until the paint is worn and a bit shabby before we pile on another coat.
You can paint on the trailer
But it's awkward and won't get where the boat sits on the rails. One trick is to back the trailer up on portable stands, the kind we used to use for cars back when we could still fix cars. It will give you more leeway. Just be sure the thing is locked and blocked so it doesn't roll down. Paint once a year and tape off the waterline for neatness.
But it's awkward and won't get where the boat sits on the rails. One trick is to back the trailer up on portable stands, the kind we used to use for cars back when we could still fix cars. It will give you more leeway. Just be sure the thing is locked and blocked so it doesn't roll down. Paint once a year and tape off the waterline for neatness.
Divers
Most people who leave their boat in for extended periods of time do use antifouling paint. They also pay a diver to clean the hull regularly. Given that you are in a lake, there may be restrictions on exactly what you can use on the bottom. Beyond that, there may be things specific to a lake that may make some antifoulings more effective than others. I suggest you ask some of the marinas in the area or local owners. There are also some long handled scrub brushes you can use to scrub near the water line. Racers use them for just that extra 0.1 knot of speed. I have been using a water based ablative paint. Ablative is nice because, in theory, you get a renewable surface as you sail. However, I have always wondered if they are actually harder on the environment than a hard paint. BobM
Most people who leave their boat in for extended periods of time do use antifouling paint. They also pay a diver to clean the hull regularly. Given that you are in a lake, there may be restrictions on exactly what you can use on the bottom. Beyond that, there may be things specific to a lake that may make some antifoulings more effective than others. I suggest you ask some of the marinas in the area or local owners. There are also some long handled scrub brushes you can use to scrub near the water line. Racers use them for just that extra 0.1 knot of speed. I have been using a water based ablative paint. Ablative is nice because, in theory, you get a renewable surface as you sail. However, I have always wondered if they are actually harder on the environment than a hard paint. BobM
Paint the bottom
I guess I am referring to the bottom. I anchor in the summer and can wipe a lot of the grime from the boat while in the water. How often do you need new paint? Is it a performance issue or a "protect the hull" issue? Am I hurting the boat by neglecting the bottom? Is repainting every few years a "must do" or an option? Scott
I guess I am referring to the bottom. I anchor in the summer and can wipe a lot of the grime from the boat while in the water. How often do you need new paint? Is it a performance issue or a "protect the hull" issue? Am I hurting the boat by neglecting the bottom? Is repainting every few years a "must do" or an option? Scott
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