Hi, I recently purchased a 2004 Hunter 306 ( My first keelboat )and have noticed that some of the bottom paint is wearing thin. Where the lifting straps from the hoist were positioned I can see a copper colour showing through the blue bottom paint. There are also a couple of other patches were copper is showing through. Does this mean I need a bottom job this year. Other than that the bottom looks great. Thanks / Aidan
Need a bottom job ?
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can't tell
Best if you can ask the previous owner what type paint was used. If ablative, it's likely the PO used two colors, the copper color being the first coat. People often use different colors to provide evidence when the top coat has worn through. If this is the case, all you need to do is prep and add another coat of ablative paint. The copper could also be a barrier epoxy paint but I'm not familiar with any brand in that color.
Best if you can ask the previous owner what type paint was used. If ablative, it's likely the PO used two colors, the copper color being the first coat. People often use different colors to provide evidence when the top coat has worn through. If this is the case, all you need to do is prep and add another coat of ablative paint. The copper could also be a barrier epoxy paint but I'm not familiar with any brand in that color.
Thanks for the reply
Thanks Don, Calling up the previous owner was my next on my list. I just wasn't sure if the boats had a copper undercoat straight from the factory.
Thanks Don, Calling up the previous owner was my next on my list. I just wasn't sure if the boats had a copper undercoat straight from the factory.
Bottom Paint
I agree that info from PO best to eliminate guessing. Otherwise, especially if your boat has been in fresh water, I would guess that you have a vynal type of paint. I use VC-17 and it gets polished by lifting straps etc. and will show thru the oxydized surface layer. If it is vynal and you have thin areas they will show gelcoat, tar (black), or a primer if used. When you open a can of vynal, you will have to mix powdered copper into the paint prior to application. This will turn the paint to a copper color. Depending on whether you are in or out of the water, the bottom will oxydize to its intended color within a few weeks. As opposed to ablative type of paint, vynal is very viscous and requires a short nap roller resulting in a very thin layer of paint. I would not paint other than to retouch any imperfections if my hull otherwise looked even and well covered. Hope this helps.
I agree that info from PO best to eliminate guessing. Otherwise, especially if your boat has been in fresh water, I would guess that you have a vynal type of paint. I use VC-17 and it gets polished by lifting straps etc. and will show thru the oxydized surface layer. If it is vynal and you have thin areas they will show gelcoat, tar (black), or a primer if used. When you open a can of vynal, you will have to mix powdered copper into the paint prior to application. This will turn the paint to a copper color. Depending on whether you are in or out of the water, the bottom will oxydize to its intended color within a few weeks. As opposed to ablative type of paint, vynal is very viscous and requires a short nap roller resulting in a very thin layer of paint. I would not paint other than to retouch any imperfections if my hull otherwise looked even and well covered. Hope this helps.
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