Well I'm done with the worst boat task of the spring!

[dodgeramsst2003]

Bottom Painting!!! I hate it, but its a necessary evil. When I bought the boat it had ablative paint on it so every spring I get to repaint the thing. I sure would like to sand it all off and switch to hard paint, but for a boat I only plan on owning another year or two its just not worth it. At least I won't have to worry about my arms growing algae for a while.

 

[skargo]

Re: Well I'm done with the worst boat task of the spring!

LOL, glad you gave your arms a good coat.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Well I'm done with the worst boat task of the spring!

Dodger, Hard paint is single season. You will need to repaint every year. Albative paint is multiseason. Two coats of ablative lasts me three years.

BTW - Stripping the hull of bottom paint, which you need to do every decade if you use hard paint, is much worse that painting.

 

[arks]

Re: Well I'm done with the worst boat task of the spring!

BTW - Stripping the hull of bottom paint, which you need to do every decade if you use hard paint, is much worse that painting.

You got that right!!!!
I've been doing that miserable job for the past month. Sure wish I had a smaller boat....
Here's a shot after a few days labor. You can see the different layers of paint:

I'm now just about done sanding and will FINALLY be ready for barrier coat next weekend:

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: Well I'm done with the worst boat task of the spring!

Well maybe I'm glad that I have ablative, but it still only lasts a season and then my barrier coat is showing through. I put on two coats, even though the directions say to only use two coats in heavily fouling areas. I could by the more expensive stuff and maybe that would last two seasons, but it loses its effectiveness if out of the water for two long, and its dry from mid oct until mid april or early may.

 

[Rip Tide]

Re: Well I'm done with the worst boat task of the spring!

I have come up with the best solution for antifouling paint issues. I call it the brother in law... They all love the boat in summer, so why not have them share in the spring enjoyment too. Also this way you don't have to drink alone while working.