How often do fresh water sailboats need their hull painted? Is it a performance issue or hull longevity issue, or both? Thanks Scott
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As little as required
You will get slime and perhaps some growth but even in salt water I use a diver to clean the bottom. I use an ablative blue paint (several coats) over a red, and when I can see the red through the blue, it's time to haul and repaint. Otherwise the diver saves me a haulout. He also changes my prop and shaft zincs at the same time.. Boats belong in the water. Every time you lift it out you risk damage. If you have to haul it out each year to winter store it, then you might want to paint before it goes back in the water and that should be it. Have fun Joe S
You will get slime and perhaps some growth but even in salt water I use a diver to clean the bottom. I use an ablative blue paint (several coats) over a red, and when I can see the red through the blue, it's time to haul and repaint. Otherwise the diver saves me a haulout. He also changes my prop and shaft zincs at the same time.. Boats belong in the water. Every time you lift it out you risk damage. If you have to haul it out each year to winter store it, then you might want to paint before it goes back in the water and that should be it. Have fun Joe S
Hull - see link please.
Painting the hull - exactly what Joe said. Topsides - that area from the waterline to the deck (still part of the hull).
Painting the hull - exactly what Joe said. Topsides - that area from the waterline to the deck (still part of the hull).
Ouch, did I start this
Actually he could have been more specific so I understand bffatcat's question. I actually was talking about the bottom of the hull and not the topside part of the hull. The question nevertheless is valid. I made the assumption I made, was in the belief that ScottD meant the bottom only because a question of painting would refer to the bottom painting, many more times than it would refer to topsides painting which is not regularly done. Please don't let this thread continue to go where it's going. Be kind Joe S
Actually he could have been more specific so I understand bffatcat's question. I actually was talking about the bottom of the hull and not the topside part of the hull. The question nevertheless is valid. I made the assumption I made, was in the belief that ScottD meant the bottom only because a question of painting would refer to the bottom painting, many more times than it would refer to topsides painting which is not regularly done. Please don't let this thread continue to go where it's going. Be kind Joe S
JoeS. you're quite right. Even the paint is called bottom paint
or else it is one of the enamels. Now I am one that paints my hull and deck. The area below the water line is painted every year with copper bearing anti fouling paint as needed and the area of the hull above the water line and the deck get painted less often.
or else it is one of the enamels. Now I am one that paints my hull and deck. The area below the water line is painted every year with copper bearing anti fouling paint as needed and the area of the hull above the water line and the deck get painted less often.
ScottD....
On my freshwater boat thats kept in the lake all season, I usually paint the bottom every 3-4 years. I use Interlux VC17 teflon/copper based paint. It picks ups slime if not used regularly, is easy to scrub if needed; plus, if you get up to hull speed often VC17 will 'self clean' in most cases of 'light' accumulations of slime. My freshwater boat is a planing hull scow, so its up to and well beyond 'hull speed' quite often. To scrub, I just pull the boat partly over with the main halyard and 'go at it' with a very long handled ( 8ft.) scrub brush. Hope this helps.
On my freshwater boat thats kept in the lake all season, I usually paint the bottom every 3-4 years. I use Interlux VC17 teflon/copper based paint. It picks ups slime if not used regularly, is easy to scrub if needed; plus, if you get up to hull speed often VC17 will 'self clean' in most cases of 'light' accumulations of slime. My freshwater boat is a planing hull scow, so its up to and well beyond 'hull speed' quite often. To scrub, I just pull the boat partly over with the main halyard and 'go at it' with a very long handled ( 8ft.) scrub brush. Hope this helps.
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