Bottom painting pristine 1973 170 ?

[Aquamaniac]

Ok....now that my bubble has burst on thinking this pristine '73 170 was rare......let's get down to making it a fishing boat!
I will likely be leaving it in the water (unless I can figure out how to add lifting eyes....bow and stern).  The gel coat on this sweet thing is in great shape...other than some minor loading scrapes on the forward keel that I will attend to.
So......anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks!

[CLM65]

Although it may not be unique, I still think a boat that age, in that condition, is rare.  I would try like heck to avoid covering that beautiful bottom with bottom paint.  It sounds like you already have davits?  If you want the lifting eye hardware, check out Accon Marine.  They make great stuff.  I wouldn't think it would be too hard to add it to your boat.

[Aquamaniac]

Thanks for the reply. Yep...would hurt my feelings to paint it. However, if I do end up having to paint.....any recommendations on the latest and greatest product?
I have been down the road of adding a lifting eye. Although it was easier on my 200 than this appears. I will get over my 'don't touch this sweet thing' and make it suit my needs. Guess that means some cutting/fitting/glass/hardware......but if carefully done should not detract too much. Besides, a trolling mount is on the list as well.....and sure to require some mods 

[RickK]

I went with VC Performance epoxy bottom paint and sanded it to 1200 grit.  This will work for me since I will never leave it in the water longer that 3-4 days.  It does not have anti-microbial stuff in it though.


If your boat will be left in the water I would look to an ablative bottom paint and Petit Vivid offers a lot of colors.  Ablative wears away slowly as you move through the water and will wash off what sticks to the boat.
I would look at everything to avoid this though since you have to rough up the gelcoat for the paint to stick and once it's roughed up the paint will leach into the gelcoat and you'll have a really hard time (read that as expensive) going back to gelcoat.  I tried with my 230 and gave up after a few weeks of work.

[Blue Agave]

If it were me i wouldn't put bottom paint on it, or any boat for that matter. I would recommend investing in a couple of appropriately rated straps that can be used with the davits to lift the boat. Boat will not only look better but will perform better and you will not need to worry about repainting the bottom every 12-18 months.

Quick google search found several links, here's just one:

http://www.certifiedslings.com/boat-slings-boat-lifting-straps-and-slings/

[wingtime]

I personally would not put a survivor boat like that out in the weather.  If I absolutely had no choice I would invest in a custom made cover and as Blue Agave said hang it from davits.  I would not put bottom paint on ANY boat unless I absolutely had to.  I kills the resale value, reduces the number of prospective buyers, slows down the boat, increases the fuel burn, looks like crud, etc etc.  The list of cons FAR outweigh the pros.. which is just slowing down bottom growth.  I feel it should only be used on boats that are kept in a slip all the time..... a 17' boat has no business being left in the water all the time.  In fact that 170 was no designed for that use and I may not even have a bilge pump.  I have worked with Certified sling through my work.  If you are in the Tampa Bay area I could give you a good deal on a custom built cover if your interested.  ( I made one for my 170 and have the pattern)

[Blue Agave]

I have seen Wingtime's cover. Very nice and fits like a glove.

[Aquamaniac]

Well, you are touching on points that have given me pause....in fact lots of sleepless hours.
Struggling with what to do with this boat, and doing right by it.
I pretty much have abandoned the bottom paint approach.
He did have a cover, but I have not seen how it fits. It certainly is made for covering on the trailer, not hung from davits.....so likely will need mods. (?)

Indeed, no bilge pump...in fact I do not see any access!

Not familiar with using slings with the davits.....can you tell me more? Seems like it might be a trick to get them positioned under the boat???
Had pretty much decided to add bow lifting eye (tied in) and through bolted stern lifting eyes for davit use, but certainly open to ideas.

I am about 1 1/2 hr south of Tampa...but have friends in Safety Harbor.
Protecting this gem is on my mind, but sadly....no garage. Not to mention that if I am living here on the water, I sure would like to just jump in the boat and go fish whenever!
MUCH to think about............

[Blue Agave]

You most certainly do have lots to think about.  Glad you decided to 86 the bottom paint. Regarding the sling, I would recommend calling the guys from the link I posted and discuss the matter with them. I'm certain they will be quite well informed, at least I would hope.  I'm sure the cover you have can be modified if you go the lifting eye route. Does the cover go all the way down to the chine and protect the outer sides of the boat?  If so you may not have to modify the cover if you go the sling route as the sling would replace the need for the trailer tie downs. I have a full custom cover for my boat and I struggled for years about spending that kind of money on a custom cover. Only regret I have is not buying the cover sooner, great investment and the protection from the Florida sun is priceless. Good luck with your decision.

[Aquamaniac]

 Wingtime: does your cover go down to the chines as BlueAgave recommends? If so, please PM me and let's talk covering this baby up.

Blue: Yep....losing sleep over it. Even considering selling it and finding one I can use and not feel bad if it gets a 'beauty mark' or two. My 200 Striper is exactly that.....really nice, fixed the way I need it, but really at the limits for the davits. That is why I was hunting 17' in the first place.
I'll touch base with the strap folks.....thanks.

[wingtime]

Yup all the way down.....

[Blue Agave]

Blue: Yep....losing sleep over it. Even considering selling it and finding one I can use and not feel bad if it gets a 'beauty mark' or two. My 200 Striper is exactly that.....really nice, fixed the way I need it, but really at the limits for the davits. That is why I was hunting 17' in the first place.

Instead of the 17 have you considered larger davits?

[RickK]

I pretty much have abandoned the bottom paint approach.

Glad to hear that. You'd be regretting it.
If you leave it in the water for only a few days, depending on the water (in a flushing current or not) it will get stained, at a minimum, and that will require a little work to clean that off (that's what I expect on mine after a few days).  I can live with that but couldn't live with barnacles, etc.  I take my 230 out for 3-4 days (it has bottom paint) and its ok because the paint is ablative.  The down side is I bet I'm losing 4-5 mph top end due to the paint. If I'm losing it at the top end I'm also losing it in the efficiency band of 26-30mph.

Indeed, no bilge pump...in fact I do not see any access!

My 170 didn't have access either.  The boat was designed to seal the top side from the bilge - hence the trough for running all cables, hoses, etc to the back of the boat. 

Does your boat have the fuel tank inside the console or under the sole?

Protecting this gem is on my mind, but sadly....no garage. Not to mention that if I am living here on the water, I sure would like to just jump in the boat and go fish whenever!
MUCH to think about............

I understand and there is no reason that you can't use it, whether trailering or on davits, and still keep it pristine and under a vented cover.  It is a boat meant to be used.

[Aquamaniac]

BA: the davits are mounted on dock pilings, not concrete bases. Pilings are cabled back to a large concrete deadman...so that should help. Don't think I would chance it going larger. The fella that we bought the place from claims they had a big Hurricane on the davits 'with no problem' but I find it interesting to see the weight rating is somehow scraped off the label. Guess I feel better lifting an entirely lighter boat.

Rick:I really appreciate the point you made....I will do my best to do right by this boat while it is on my watch......but will also use it. Had same angst over my  original 1959 Harley. Almost too special to use....but why have it if you aren't going to use it?
Brought her home today (previous pics were taken at seller's when I was still in shock seeing it) I spent a bit of time playing with detailing and holy moly...... It amazes me even more.

Lucky,lucky,lucky!

I put the cover on it here and it is not the best protection. Hopefully Wingtime will help me out with a cover.  He had strong feelings about not leaving this boat out in the weather. A good cover would sure be a big help in preserving her.

The fuel tank is under the deck. Brand new aluminum with gauge under the pie hole. Don't see any other pie hole.
The front seat folds forward to access the console and the two batteries are in there under the seat.

Interesting that there is a gar hole for bilge if bilge is sealed. ....is there some way for water to get to bilge that would then drain through gar hole? Should I be hunting intrusion points?