Bottom paint opinions?

[hookdup]

Our rebuild will be a trailer queen most of the time.  Occasional weekends might be spent in a marina but for the most part we'll be day trippers.

I know there is a lot of practicality to bottom paint but....it ain't pretty to look at.

Would appreciate any thoughts/experiences from you guys.

[RickK]

Take a look at Petit bottom paints. Has plenty of colors to choose from. I put vivid white on mine.

[CLM65]

IMO, don't bottom paint it if you aren't leaving it in the water for extended periods.  If you are only going to keep it in the water overnight once in a while, bottom paint isn't necessary.  Even if you occasionally leave it in for a week or two, I wouldn't paint the bottom.  Just keep a good coat of wax on the bottom.

[hookdup]

Thanks guys.

Rick, which boat did you use Petit?

[RickK]

The 230.
Before


After


I agree with Craig, it if isn't already painted I would not paint it, do anything to avoid it especially if it lives on a trailer (like mine too).  Mine was already painted when I bought it.

[Georgie]

it if isn't already painted I would not paint it, do anything to avoid it especially if it lives on a trailer

X3!  

[wingtime]

Mine too was painted when I bought her and she lives on a tracker as well. I hate it. It is flaking off in places since it looks like who ever painted it didn't prep the gel coat in any way. I've been putting off stripping it. Maybe I'll get to it this winter.

[wingtime]

As luck would have it a media blasting company is moving into the shop next to mine.  The owner came over and introduced himself today.  Turns out they do soda blasting of boat bottoms.

[RickK]

fate.....

[hookdup]

Again, many thanks gents.

[pbustle]

My 170 has Petit Vivid on it in white and when I get done with my 19-6, it will have Petit Vivid.  The great part about Vivid is its made to be able to trailer.  Its a multi season paint, and it can be burnished to allow a very smooth finish.  With the brown color of the water around where I live, it occasionally gets a discoloration to it, but the pressure washer will take it right off.  I do leave the boat in the water a couple times a year for longer periods of time, so I like bottom paint to prevent having to scrape the bottom when I do.  Just a week in the water during the summer and you will be cleaning barnacles and slime off the boat.  I did not burnish mine, but used a very short nap roller when applying to keep from getting a rough finish.  You can also spray it on and it will be a very smooth finish.  Much easier in my opinion just to pressure wash the bottom paint.