I am having a problem with the bottom paint peeling off in large chunks. I was told that this boat was not properly preped when it was originaly comissioned. It is a 1999 Hunter 380 and I am the 3rd owner. The boat started out in Florida, went to Lake Ontario and then down to the Chesapeake in a course of 3 years. I have had the boat out of the water 2 winters and noticed the paint problem 2 winters ago. I was told to sand and feather the edges and it wouold be OK. Not so. I used a Petit Trinidad paint because the boat was going to spend the winter in the Bahamas. When the boat was pulled in the fall of 2004 I noticed the paint peeling off in big sheets. Now that it is Spring, it needs to be addressed. I was told that the whole bottom has to be sand blasted and repreped as well barrier coated. I would like additional information on this issue. Is it possible that this hull was not properly cleaned before the initial painting in 1999? Is there any other way to fix this problem? The hull stripping and repainting will cost over $4,000! Thank you for any help anyone may offer. CapemayB@msn.com
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Whoa, hold on a second...
I, too, have a 1999 Hunter 380. It's a beautiful boat in all respects. It sounds like someone painted the bottom without taking off the hull form wax which is used in construction. But I would NOT sand blast or machine sand or do any sanding at all. First, call Hunter and tell them your problem. I'm positive that you will void any warrenty if you sand. They put on a special gel coat so that you would not have blisters. I would use Peal-Away and take the paint off and then put on a prep coat that will take any wax off, although for the life of me, I would suspect it is mostly off by now. Anyway, put on a primer coat and then put on an ablitive type paint such as Petett's Premium. Put on one color as a base and then change colors so you'll know when you're getting thin. Put extra coats around the water line and the front of the keel and rudder. And don't use a barrier coat. Ship yards all want to do this. But Hunter will tell you not to. Please call Hunter first. On your next haul out there will still be some spots where the paint will peal but it will not be extensive and you can just repaint again without the prep work. I had a friend with another 380 and he had the same problem. Today he has a smooth bottom on his boat. I wish you well. Les
I, too, have a 1999 Hunter 380. It's a beautiful boat in all respects. It sounds like someone painted the bottom without taking off the hull form wax which is used in construction. But I would NOT sand blast or machine sand or do any sanding at all. First, call Hunter and tell them your problem. I'm positive that you will void any warrenty if you sand. They put on a special gel coat so that you would not have blisters. I would use Peal-Away and take the paint off and then put on a prep coat that will take any wax off, although for the life of me, I would suspect it is mostly off by now. Anyway, put on a primer coat and then put on an ablitive type paint such as Petett's Premium. Put on one color as a base and then change colors so you'll know when you're getting thin. Put extra coats around the water line and the front of the keel and rudder. And don't use a barrier coat. Ship yards all want to do this. But Hunter will tell you not to. Please call Hunter first. On your next haul out there will still be some spots where the paint will peal but it will not be extensive and you can just repaint again without the prep work. I had a friend with another 380 and he had the same problem. Today he has a smooth bottom on his boat. I wish you well. Les
Agree with Les
...but why not use barrier coat, all things considered? What's Hunter's objection?
...but why not use barrier coat, all things considered? What's Hunter's objection?
Unbelievable
Finally! I too have a 1999 Hunter 380 and have had nothing but problems with the bottom paint staying on the keel for the most part and a few small blisters here and there. I've been in touch with the selling dealer, all of which is documented and photographed, I've been in touch with Eddy Breeden at Hunter, all to no avail. They just keep pointing the finger at each other and not reimbursing me for my cash outlay to put the Hunter recommended barrier coats on the bottom and keel that were supposed to be put on by even another party, some vendor that provides the keels themselves? Add me to the band wagon if you guys can get anyplace with this. rdalton@bayint.com
Finally! I too have a 1999 Hunter 380 and have had nothing but problems with the bottom paint staying on the keel for the most part and a few small blisters here and there. I've been in touch with the selling dealer, all of which is documented and photographed, I've been in touch with Eddy Breeden at Hunter, all to no avail. They just keep pointing the finger at each other and not reimbursing me for my cash outlay to put the Hunter recommended barrier coats on the bottom and keel that were supposed to be put on by even another party, some vendor that provides the keels themselves? Add me to the band wagon if you guys can get anyplace with this. rdalton@bayint.com
Bill, the yard motive is the $4000 business.
Besides, if the paint won't stick, how many critters can hold on?
Besides, if the paint won't stick, how many critters can hold on?
call the paint rep
call the paint rep from the company who made the paint. they will tell you whats wrong and they will usually be right. The dealer that commisioned it did not work for you so i doubt he will be interested in helping you. I would not sand blast, nor would i use chemical untill i talked with all the parties. but hunter is not responsible for a dealers work. it they did not clean or prep properly the paint wont stick. You may have step up and just fix it right. i would not sandblast a boat with a good gelcoat on the bottom thats like sandblasting a new car before you want to clearcoat it to protect the paint. the paint rep can make approprate reccomendations to get you on the right track.
call the paint rep from the company who made the paint. they will tell you whats wrong and they will usually be right. The dealer that commisioned it did not work for you so i doubt he will be interested in helping you. I would not sand blast, nor would i use chemical untill i talked with all the parties. but hunter is not responsible for a dealers work. it they did not clean or prep properly the paint wont stick. You may have step up and just fix it right. i would not sandblast a boat with a good gelcoat on the bottom thats like sandblasting a new car before you want to clearcoat it to protect the paint. the paint rep can make approprate reccomendations to get you on the right track.
This is not an isolated problem....
There are some comments in the archive here as well. My 2003 h386 has the same issues. In my case, Interlux has stepped up to the plate and has paid to remove all of the old paint, sand the hull (with Hunters blessing) and apply a barrier coat and Micron Extra (used to have VC 17). The reason for the barrier coat is solely to get the bottom paint to stick. The dealer was going to put on only one coat of barrier coat, but I am buying enough barrier coat to add a few more coats. Beverly, the barrier coat is about $70 per gallon, and you would probably need 5 gallons to do the job properly. If you can do the painting, obviously, you will save a ton of money. Personally, I think Interlux is getting hosed on this deal. The cost of labor alone to strip the old paint must be huge, and I believe it is a problem with the hull. I do not believe it is a bad prep job. My yard preps and paints dozens of new boats, and it is a simple (yet important)job. Hunter has not owned up to any issues, and I cannot comment on weather or not they should even do so.... I have no clue why the paint is not sticking. Good luck.... Jeff
There are some comments in the archive here as well. My 2003 h386 has the same issues. In my case, Interlux has stepped up to the plate and has paid to remove all of the old paint, sand the hull (with Hunters blessing) and apply a barrier coat and Micron Extra (used to have VC 17). The reason for the barrier coat is solely to get the bottom paint to stick. The dealer was going to put on only one coat of barrier coat, but I am buying enough barrier coat to add a few more coats. Beverly, the barrier coat is about $70 per gallon, and you would probably need 5 gallons to do the job properly. If you can do the painting, obviously, you will save a ton of money. Personally, I think Interlux is getting hosed on this deal. The cost of labor alone to strip the old paint must be huge, and I believe it is a problem with the hull. I do not believe it is a bad prep job. My yard preps and paints dozens of new boats, and it is a simple (yet important)job. Hunter has not owned up to any issues, and I cannot comment on weather or not they should even do so.... I have no clue why the paint is not sticking. Good luck.... Jeff
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