I am considering keeping my H260 (keel version) in a slip in Seattle this summer (May-Sept). I know that bottom painting is required for extended salt water use. I have put the boat in salt water for two weeks at a time and just made sure the hull was waxed prior, but my primary use has been fresh water. Does any one know what length of time a boat can be in salt water (55'F). before it bomes a good idea for bottom painting? Does this also start a vicious maintenance cycle that one must maintain? I suppose once a month I could haul it out and pressure wash the hull if that is sufficient for this summertime period. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
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Bill Coughlin
Bottom paint
I'm suprised you haven't had a lot of growth in just 2 weeks. I have let my dinghy in the water for about a week and had a lot of growth on it in that short period of time. Maybe the water is a bit warmer here on the east coast. I would strongly suggest to paint any boat's bottom prior to putting in salt water. Once marine growth starts attacking your hull it will ruin the gelcoat and cause all kinds of problems such as blistering and pitting. I would if I were you go to a Marine supply store and ask about the best possible way to prepare your bottom and what they recommended as the best bottom paint for your area. Do it right the first time will save lots of problems and work in the future. Good Luck Bill Coughlin sv Wind Dancer
I'm suprised you haven't had a lot of growth in just 2 weeks. I have let my dinghy in the water for about a week and had a lot of growth on it in that short period of time. Maybe the water is a bit warmer here on the east coast. I would strongly suggest to paint any boat's bottom prior to putting in salt water. Once marine growth starts attacking your hull it will ruin the gelcoat and cause all kinds of problems such as blistering and pitting. I would if I were you go to a Marine supply store and ask about the best possible way to prepare your bottom and what they recommended as the best bottom paint for your area. Do it right the first time will save lots of problems and work in the future. Good Luck Bill Coughlin sv Wind Dancer
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Tom Junkin
More Questions on Hull Painting
Craig, I saw your question on painting the hull on your 260. I have a similar question. I bought a 212 this past November and have had it on a trailer for winter storage. I intend to leave it at a slip on bay waters for the season (April through October) and would also like to know what the best recommended product is for painting the hull, how necessary hull painting really is on the Hunter composite hull, how often it has to be power washed and whether or not the painted hull needs to be stripped with a chemical or periodically cleaned with a compound? The owners manual really does not give any clues so any suggestions will be appreciated.
Craig, I saw your question on painting the hull on your 260. I have a similar question. I bought a 212 this past November and have had it on a trailer for winter storage. I intend to leave it at a slip on bay waters for the season (April through October) and would also like to know what the best recommended product is for painting the hull, how necessary hull painting really is on the Hunter composite hull, how often it has to be power washed and whether or not the painted hull needs to be stripped with a chemical or periodically cleaned with a compound? The owners manual really does not give any clues so any suggestions will be appreciated.
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Bill Coughlin
protecting your investment
Hi Craig and Tom Again all I can say if you keep your boat moored in salt water you should absolutely paint the bottom of your boat. I'm not a marine biologist or have stock in any paint company but I have see many of fouled boat bottoms even after a season in the water. If fact when I first bought my sailboat the owner had told me he used a multi-season paint on the hull. Well the first time I pulled it out of the water it looked as if I was growing a Christmas tree up side down.I had it power wash and still had a lot of scrapping and sandind to remove the barnicles and other growth. Barnicles seem to glue themselves on to the hull and etch into the gelcoat. I have even read some post of boats kept in fresh water having problems with zebra mussel attaching onto the hull. I think the only time you can get away from painting your bottom is if you are a true trailer sailor. If your worried about paint build up then you should use an Ablative type paint to solve the build up problem. To have your boat lifted out of the water and power wash is going to cost you about $4.00 a foot at a marina. My logic is Boat + saltwater= PAINTING
Hi Craig and Tom Again all I can say if you keep your boat moored in salt water you should absolutely paint the bottom of your boat. I'm not a marine biologist or have stock in any paint company but I have see many of fouled boat bottoms even after a season in the water. If fact when I first bought my sailboat the owner had told me he used a multi-season paint on the hull. Well the first time I pulled it out of the water it looked as if I was growing a Christmas tree up side down.I had it power wash and still had a lot of scrapping and sandind to remove the barnicles and other growth. Barnicles seem to glue themselves on to the hull and etch into the gelcoat. I have even read some post of boats kept in fresh water having problems with zebra mussel attaching onto the hull. I think the only time you can get away from painting your bottom is if you are a true trailer sailor. If your worried about paint build up then you should use an Ablative type paint to solve the build up problem. To have your boat lifted out of the water and power wash is going to cost you about $4.00 a foot at a marina. My logic is Boat + saltwater= PAINTING
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Tom Junkin
To Paint Or Not To Paint
Bill, thanks for your recommendation and observations. Guess I'll be doing a little hull painting in March or April before I put the boat in the water. One last question though, from your experience, would it be a mistake for me to try to do the painting while the boat is on its trailer, instead of having it put up on supports? There would be a little hull area that the trailer skids cover. I assume those unpainted areas would be more subject to weed and barnacle attachment. Thanks again.
Bill, thanks for your recommendation and observations. Guess I'll be doing a little hull painting in March or April before I put the boat in the water. One last question though, from your experience, would it be a mistake for me to try to do the painting while the boat is on its trailer, instead of having it put up on supports? There would be a little hull area that the trailer skids cover. I assume those unpainted areas would be more subject to weed and barnacle attachment. Thanks again.
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Bill Coughlin
to paint
Tom I'm not familar with how your boat sits on your trailer however you can paint as much as possible and then move the boats position on the trailer or wait until they are ready to put your boat in the water and when they lift it you can hit the spots not painted. If your bottom has never been painted you are going to have to determine where the water line is ,so you can mask it off and make a clean job. If your boat shows a scum line this can help you determine the water line. But before you apply any paint be sure to prepare the surface so the paint can properly adhere.(dewax or remove mold releasing agents) A lot of information can be read in West Marine or Boat US catalogs. Proper Prep is the key. It will evenually save time and money down the road.(or the channel) Good Luck Bill Cougfhlin sv Wind Dancer
Tom I'm not familar with how your boat sits on your trailer however you can paint as much as possible and then move the boats position on the trailer or wait until they are ready to put your boat in the water and when they lift it you can hit the spots not painted. If your bottom has never been painted you are going to have to determine where the water line is ,so you can mask it off and make a clean job. If your boat shows a scum line this can help you determine the water line. But before you apply any paint be sure to prepare the surface so the paint can properly adhere.(dewax or remove mold releasing agents) A lot of information can be read in West Marine or Boat US catalogs. Proper Prep is the key. It will evenually save time and money down the road.(or the channel) Good Luck Bill Cougfhlin sv Wind Dancer
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Guest
Consult Hunter on preping the hull for paint
Hunter has very specific instructions for bottom preparation for painting in order to not void the warrantee. It includes NO SANDING. I recommend having a Hunter dealer prep the bottom and put on the first coat of paint. This will ensure that you get a good job done and that your warrantee will stay in tact. To save money, you might put the second coat on your self. However, I think it is nearly impossible to paint on the trailer. Finally, the paint and bottom prep chemicals are very toxic to you and the environment. I prefer to have professionals that are properly equiped and experienced to do a good job. Fair winds... Tom
Hunter has very specific instructions for bottom preparation for painting in order to not void the warrantee. It includes NO SANDING. I recommend having a Hunter dealer prep the bottom and put on the first coat of paint. This will ensure that you get a good job done and that your warrantee will stay in tact. To save money, you might put the second coat on your self. However, I think it is nearly impossible to paint on the trailer. Finally, the paint and bottom prep chemicals are very toxic to you and the environment. I prefer to have professionals that are properly equiped and experienced to do a good job. Fair winds... Tom
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Terry Mathews
Paint on a swing keel
All of your responses have been very helpful; thanks. I have one specific concern. My '97 H26 has a swing keel, and consequently, I am concerned that I may not be able to satisfactory paint the recessed part of the hull into which the keel fits. If that is the case, then I conjecture painting the hull is pointless. Am I correct, or out in "leftfield"?
All of your responses have been very helpful; thanks. I have one specific concern. My '97 H26 has a swing keel, and consequently, I am concerned that I may not be able to satisfactory paint the recessed part of the hull into which the keel fits. If that is the case, then I conjecture painting the hull is pointless. Am I correct, or out in "leftfield"?
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Crazy Dave Condon
paint
When you paint the bottom of a boat, always make a note which paint it is. Also, find out if it is ablative and if sitting on the trailer for a long time, will the effectivenss of the paint last? Most abblatives will not. Suggest Micron 33 on trailerables and I use "Trinidad on boats staying in the water. Crazy Dave Condon Make sure to be safe if painting yourself or you may look like a little blue smurf.
When you paint the bottom of a boat, always make a note which paint it is. Also, find out if it is ablative and if sitting on the trailer for a long time, will the effectivenss of the paint last? Most abblatives will not. Suggest Micron 33 on trailerables and I use "Trinidad on boats staying in the water. Crazy Dave Condon Make sure to be safe if painting yourself or you may look like a little blue smurf.
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Craig
Now that I know enough to be dangerous.....
Thank you to everyone for showing me the importance of protecting my investment! I am hauling the boat to the shop this weekend. First, they will sand the hull, then apply a barrior coat of Interlux 2000 2 part epoxy. Over that will go Interlux CSC paint colored to match the blue waterline decal. I am doing it now as it was explained that the longer this sets cures out of the water, the longer it will last in the water (trailor boat thing). Sanding is okay with Hunter when a barrior coat is used. Sanding also prevents osmosis where gelcoat is applied too thickly. Too thick a gelcoat is more prone to osmosis than gelcoat of proper thickness. Now, if there is any money left over, I will look at that autopilot.......
Thank you to everyone for showing me the importance of protecting my investment! I am hauling the boat to the shop this weekend. First, they will sand the hull, then apply a barrior coat of Interlux 2000 2 part epoxy. Over that will go Interlux CSC paint colored to match the blue waterline decal. I am doing it now as it was explained that the longer this sets cures out of the water, the longer it will last in the water (trailor boat thing). Sanding is okay with Hunter when a barrior coat is used. Sanding also prevents osmosis where gelcoat is applied too thickly. Too thick a gelcoat is more prone to osmosis than gelcoat of proper thickness. Now, if there is any money left over, I will look at that autopilot.......
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