How do I paint my boat on dry land

[Tug Boat Danny]

Hi Gang,
Tug Boat Danny Here, I got a situation here I figure it better to ask the pro's than mess it all up thinking I knew it all by My Self......
I got this 18 foot Cathedral hull Thunderbird 1800 lb boat in a shorelander trailer The trailer is mostly restored but the antifoul paint on b ottom of the boat needs to be re done, I never done it before and Howdo I do it.
I got grass in the back yard to put the boat but how do I get ot off the trailer and back on again later. I know you Professionals out there have a whole lot better ideas trhan I could ever come up with and I want to do a good job of it HELP HELP! Danny.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How do I paint my boat on dry land

Moving to the restoration section. If your questions aren't specific to Thunderbird brand hulls, you'll get a much quicker response in the more general sections.

 

[drewpster]

Re: How do I paint my boat on dry land

If you do not have to do much prep you can paint the boat right on the trailer. You can simply use a car jack and some wood and raise only that portion of the boat you need to paint. Maybe raise the bow first and do as much as the trailer will let you. Let it dry. Lower the bow and raise the stern and paint it the same way. You need to let it sit and dry long enough so that resting it back on the bunks wont damage the fresh paint.
You can completely remove the trailer, but you need to take special care and make sure it is stable on the grass. I have done it, but it is not a preferred method.
I only take the boat off the trailer when the amount of work on the hull warrants it. Getting it off the trailer is not as difficult as blocking it up safely.

From Here;

to here, took five hours using special jacks and stands.

Smaller boats are much more simple.

 

[INJUN]

Re: How do I paint my boat on dry land

I paint mine while it is on the trailer. Where the trailer meets the boat, I raise the boat using using hydraulic tube type jacks. But be careful with where you place the jacks and use something to distribute the lift weight with a 2x4 or larger at the point where the jack meets the hull. you only need a few inches of clearance and be prepared to do it quickly so as to get the boat back in place quickly. Keep the kids away or anyone who may lean on the boat and make her shift. You will probably have to do this for each area where the hull touches the hull. As soon as it's dry lower it back down.

 

[drewpster]

Re: How do I paint my boat on dry land

Casting a lure in the back yard made no sense to my wife at first either. TeeHee

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: How do I paint my boat on dry land

what kind of paint do you use?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How do I paint my boat on dry land

I used Petit Easypoxy on mine and can't say enough good things about it. I swear you could apply it with a push broom and it would still level out and look awesome.