Painting a 1991 Fiberglass Hull

[Ray]

I'm considering buying a 1991 H-18.5 whose hull paint seems to be peeling below the waterline. I have been told that if kept on a trailer it is probably not worth painting, the fiberglass is good. But if kept in the water then we are talking $500. Is this good advice? Any ideas about who could handle the painting chore if it comes to that? (preferably near Knoxville, TN.)

 

[Steve Dion]

Power wash and repaint.

Ray:I see no reason why you cannot just power wash the bottom and repaint it.You may need to feather in any areas with a little sand paper if there are any rough edges on the old paint. I would think that this would take about 2 qts of paint and a little elbow grease. If you do not care how it looks and plan on removing it from the water all the time, you can just leave it alone. Bottom paint is used to control growth on the bottom. It sure makes cleaning the bottom easier when you have paint on it.

 

[Brian]

fresh water?

If you are not leaving the boat in the water, and are sailing inland on fresh water, there is no need for bottom paint. I have no fresh water experience so I don't know if growth can harm your boat or just slow it down. In salt water, barnacles and other growth can actually damage the boat when you try to remove them. Bottom paint is a necessity if your boat stays in salt water.