Painting the topsides

[Douglas Perrygo]

I am in the process of purchasing a 1986 Hunter 40 and would like some information about painting the topsides.-Does anyone know the price range for a new paint job? (Professional quality)-Any advice about painting the boat navy blue? Will the hull get too hot in the sun and cause fiberglass problems?Thanks,Doug

 

[Ed Schenck]

$75. a foot here...

in Ohio. We have several blue hulls in our marina including the new Tartan 3700 behind me. Can't imagine that California water ever gets as warm as Lake Erie. You've probably read Don Casey's article on SailNet but just in case here is the direct link: www.sailnet.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=caseyd008

 

[Ed Schenck]

Sorry, missed a decimal...

or something. Just calculated that and it would only be $3000. for your boat, a real deal. I remembered that my estimate for a 37-footer was close to $9000. Incidentallly, I watched some guys roll and tip a 40-footer last weekend, looked really good. And the red hull on a C&C 30 footer was rolled and looks great.

 

[Alan J]

DARK BLUE!!

I HAVE A 1985 37C WITH A DARK BLUE HULL.IT LOOKS GREAT AND ON LONG ISLAND SOUND THE HULL DOES NOT GET HOT. WHEN I GOT THE BOAT THREE YEARS AGO I PAINTED THE NON SKID WITH A ONE PART PLY PAINT, FLATTENIG AGENT AND NON SKID ADDITIVE.IT WORKED GREAT, LOOKS GREAT BUT DO IT IN A VERY LIGHT COLOR BECAUSE THE DECK WILL GET HOT

 

[Been there]

Stick with white

The problem with dark colors is not that the hull gets so hot as to cause fiberglass problems, but that it gets so hot that no one wants to be inside it. You may not sleep on the boat, but at some point, you may want to sell the boat. Anyone looking for an overnighter or liveaboard will prefer a white hull.

 

[John]

been there done that

I currently own a 1988 40 which I painted about 18 months ago. I used white Awlgrip and it looks like it was painted yesterday.I live on the gulf coast where it is very warm in the summer. I once owned another boat which had a navy blue hull and considered painting the 40 navy blue also. The dark or Navy blue makes a beautiful boat but can be very hot. Also the blue will fade eventually and is harder to touch up than white. A scratch or ding will show up more on the blue, especially since the gel coat under it is white. I went with the white and recommend it. But either way I would definately leave the deck white or it will be unbearably hot.

 

[Douglas Perrygo]

Thanks for the advice

Thanks for the great advice!Best of luck,Doug