Show Us Your Waterline Stripe
- Thread starter Sail123
- Start date
- Status
Gary, first of all the boot stripe is like the polyurethane paint you put on the topsides, It's supposed to shine, so you don't want bottom paint. Here's an example: http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/ILX-4248HP/
There are also vinyl adhesive products available for this application that eliminate the taping process http://www.westmarine.com/buy/products/481-bootstripe-tape.html... However, I don't really think the vinyl works well on sailboats because it's all the same witdth...which can give the optical illusion that the boat is squatting in the water.
Here's a short video I found for you that shows how to get your boot stripe proportionally correct...very cool. http://www.sailmagazine.com/boatworks/how-paint-boot-stripe?cat=207&name=BEST+BOATS
You can use the old bottom paint line as a reference, but you might put the boat in the water for a few weeks and let a "scum" line develop so you can modify the bottom paint converage... then you would have an accurate waterline to get your boot stripe laid out.
If I were you I'd make the boot stripe at least 2 inches wide...because as time goes by the tendency is to tape a tiny bit higher each time you paint the bottom.... (The boot stripe will not need touching up for quite some time) then you could add an additional 1/2 inch stripe spaced a half inch above the boot stripe for a nifty custom look.
There are also vinyl adhesive products available for this application that eliminate the taping process http://www.westmarine.com/buy/products/481-bootstripe-tape.html... However, I don't really think the vinyl works well on sailboats because it's all the same witdth...which can give the optical illusion that the boat is squatting in the water.
Here's a short video I found for you that shows how to get your boot stripe proportionally correct...very cool. http://www.sailmagazine.com/boatworks/how-paint-boot-stripe?cat=207&name=BEST+BOATS
You can use the old bottom paint line as a reference, but you might put the boat in the water for a few weeks and let a "scum" line develop so you can modify the bottom paint converage... then you would have an accurate waterline to get your boot stripe laid out.
If I were you I'd make the boot stripe at least 2 inches wide...because as time goes by the tendency is to tape a tiny bit higher each time you paint the bottom.... (The boot stripe will not need touching up for quite some time) then you could add an additional 1/2 inch stripe spaced a half inch above the boot stripe for a nifty custom look.
I posted a suggestion earlier..... http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/ILX-4248HP/
The boot stripe paint is essentially the same as the topside paint.. one or two part polyurethane. Doesn't matter what kind of bottom paint you use.
Perhaps someone can give Gary a heads up on my links, I think he's still blocking my comments.
Check these links Joe has forwarded: http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/ILX-4248HP/
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/products/481-bootstripe-tape.html
http://www.sailmagazine.com/boatworks/how-paint-boot-stripe?cat=207&name=BEST+BOATS
The last one is a video of how to paint it.
I am doing the "leave it in the water and let the Scum show you the line" trick.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/products/481-bootstripe-tape.html
http://www.sailmagazine.com/boatworks/how-paint-boot-stripe?cat=207&name=BEST+BOATS
The last one is a video of how to paint it.
I am doing the "leave it in the water and let the Scum show you the line" trick.
Actually, that's not how blisters evolve.... so it won't be the end of the world. If part of your topside paint drops below the waterline, simply jump in the water every couple of weeks and wipe the scum off with a sponge or piece of carpet. When you pull the boat at the end of the season you'll have a very good outline of where the new waterline should be... then you can re tape it an inch above the waterline, fill in with bottom paint, then re set the bootstripe. easy speazy....
Now, regarding blisters.... don't worry. I know that sounds a bit cavalier, but if your boat hasn't developed any by now, it's unlikely to develop any at all.... but if it does, they are a very easy fix. Since you haul out your boat in the winter you can let them dry out and use the 3M kit for the repair...... I repaired about 50 blisters on my boat 12 years ago and have not had any recurrance of the problem... To absolutely prevent the recurrance of blisters many boat owners will apply a waterproofing "barrier coat" directly over the gel coat, then paint the anti fouling bottom paint over that.
Blisters occur between the gel coat and the laminate, there is lots of info on the internet, so I won't get too detailed. What that means is that your choice of bottom and topside paints will not be affected by blistering.... So.. I encourage you to rest easy and stay with your current plan. When inspecting the hull at the end of season you'll be in a better position to make any changes, if needed.
The white paint did not ship. Thanks so much Defender.com. Said my address did not match my credit card. Funny, the darn bill always manages to find me. Lol
Walking through a home center store, a solution popped out at me.
The local football team logo. Should make my boat a conversation piece at the docks.
Walking through a home center store, a solution popped out at me.
The local football team logo. Should make my boat a conversation piece at the docks.
Attachments
- Status