What paint can be used above and below water line?

[Capt Robbie]

I just got a little 12 foot day sailor project boat to toy around in.
It is a gelcote hull that has 30 years of heavy oxidation. I tried to wet sand and compound a small section without much luck. To be honest I don't want to spend much energy time or money on it. It's just going to be day sailed and trailered at the end of the day. So with that in mind I thought that I could just paint the entire hull top to bottom with some type of high gloss epoxy or Polly urethane based paint then quick wax over and call it a day and done. Again I did not want to over think this or break the bank just want to make it look better then it is, with as little effort as possible.

 

[FDL S2]

I used Rustoleum topside paint when I painted my old daysailer. It self levels and is waxable.

 

[Chris Patterson]

I’ve also used the same thing on a little Sunnyfish I used to own. It held up way better than I thought it would.

 

[jssailem]

So the answer is paint for a couple of years then paint again as needed. Sounds like a simple and workable plan with lots of sailing time. Why not.

 

[FDL S2]

Mine still looks good 12 years later! Good prep, two coats of topside paint and under a tarp when not in use. I think the paint cost me $10!