Bottom paint

[SeaRay Weekender]

Hi Folks, I have a 1986 Sea Ray Weekender 230 that I bought last fall. It had a substantial buildup of dark blue bottom paint- about 5 thick layers- that was in bad shape. So I had it all soda blasted off. The boat looks great now- the hull below the waterline is all perfectly white and I'm really happy. My question is this- do I have to bottom paint now? This boat spent it's entire life in the ocean in a marina slip, but now I am trailering it home after every outing and rinsing it off. The most it would be left in the ocean would be a couple days/week at a time. Would I be wise to bottom paint it anyway, regardless, or can I leave it like it is? Also, the trim tabs are nice and shiny now, should those be painted? And finally, I had them blast the outdrive to bare aluminum. I will be painting that. Can someone advise what paint to use, and if a primer is required? Thanks! Bill

 

[pbuzz3323]

Re: Bottom paint

If trailering the Boat theres no need for bottom paint..a week in the water could add some slime and get the barnacles going but I think it would be ok. If you are gonna paint the bottom have someone do it with an ablative paint..I did my own to save about 200 bucks and it was pure hell...very messy stuff

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Bottom paint

I would suggest you barrier coat and re-bottom paint. Soda blasting works but does damage your gel coat. Also if they did it to much in any spots it will cause you trouble down the road.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Bottom paint

what is soda blasting. sounds like something i want to do to my boat to clean all the old bottom paint off.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Bottom paint

It's like sand blasting but they use baking soda instead of sand. It's not as harsh as sand and has good results.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Bottom paint

thanks i will have too look into that