New member- 63 year old mahogany runabout

[JPO 1949]

Finely got my brother,son and nephew together to help me flip my boat. Didn`t take long at all. I want to reseal the bottom with epoxy and glass and then paint. I want to paint the bottom white and the sides red.The boat is only in the water for a few hours each trip so I`m thinking of using latex 100% acrylic enamel for the paint. Could use suggestions and tips.

 

[sphelps]

I would not recommend using a latex paint .
Oil based enamel with added enamel hardener would be a better choice .

 

[GA_Boater]

For a boat used in water as most are, I wouldn't consider using latex, above or below the waterline. Something about water clean up puts me off.

 

[Scott Danforth]

permission to come aboard

do not use latex as it would bubble and peal.

 

[pekstrom]

Wow! What a beautiful boat! I'm tagging along if I may. Looking forward to see the splash. I really like how your seats turned out. They look like they came with the boat. And is that outboard really that clean under the cowling? It looks like new!
You may consider using tractor paint and hardener for the bottom too. That's what I used on my PM38 and it looks great. I have a link to Woodonglass post with the details at the bottom of my post.

 

[JPO 1949]

Thanks everyone for the suggestion. I was thinking of using latex enamel after reading this - http://www.simplicityboats.com/latexcarnel.html I only want to paint this boat once.If the boat can out last me then my kids or grand kids can repaint it. In 1956 when my father first built the boat is was a high gloss varnish clear finish on the mahogany plywood. Best I remember it was beautiful. In the summer of 61 my oldest sister ask my father if she and her friends could use the boat to go skiing. Being the good father that he was even though he didn`t want to said yes just be careful. They launched at navy point on bayou grande which is the north side of the Pensacola NAS. There was a train trestle bridge that ran parallel to the main bridge that lead into the NAS. The trestle only had one small opening for small boat traffic . Just as they were coming through the opening, the wake from a large boat on the other side slammed them into the bridge.( So the story goes ).The boat almost sank from the large gashing hole. Everyone got on one side of the boat and got the hole above the water line and started bailing water with there hands. Somehow they made it back to the launch and made it home.I can only imagine how my father felt. I`m sure he was glad no one drowned , but look at the boat. He patched it , that`s when he painted it to match his pick up truck. He painted it with automobile paint and it has been on the boat since 1961.

 

[Scott Danforth]

use WOG's paint recipe, which is similar to what automotive paint was in the 60's

 

[archbuilder]

Probably not an issue but I am thinking you might test a small area to make sure there are no compatibility issues. That might be a non-catalyzed lacquer. That was fairly popular back then and very easy to do for the DIYer to spray. I doubt there would be an issue, but lifting or crazing can be a nightmare if you get it.

 

[pekstrom]

Can I ask what the dimensions are on that seat and where you got that vinyl fabric? I need to make cushions for the seats in my PM38 and I really like how yours turned out.

 

[JPO 1949]

Fabricwarehouse.com

Pleated marine vinyl

Hope this helps, nice looking PM38

 

[Ned L]

You say,....” I want to reseal the bottom with epoxy and glass”. Why?
It looks like the boat was not ‘glassed when it was built. In order to do so you would need to strip every bit of paint off. You also say the boat will be trailer kept. I don’t see the ‘upside’ to doing that.
Oh,... and another vote for do t use a latex. Especially if you don’t want to be painting it again as you say.

 

[JPO 1949]

I am convinced not to use latex. I`m looking at Valspar tractor and implement paint. I need to keep the boat on a trailer , I`m at least an hour from the nearest boat launch and the lake I frequent is about 68 miles long from dam to dam.I also plan to take it to Pensacola on occasion. The boat differently has some kind of reinforceing material under the paint. I started sanding with 100 grit paper on a hand held orbital sander and can see what looks like fiberglass. I don`t necessarily just want to glass the bottom. For the most part the paint is just stained but there are a few places that need attention. I`m looking for suggestions and advice as how to get it ready for paint. The gash pictured is about 3 foot long .

 

[Woodonglass]

That gash is more cosmetic than anything and the fish won't mind!! The Paint thread in my signature below has a lot of good info on using Tractor Paint or Rustoleum. Make sure to use the suggested hardener. To Prep start with 100 grit and work thru 180 grit then apply primer and then 2-3 coats of the paint.

 

[JPO 1949]

Tried my hand at roll and tip, two coats. I`m going to wait seven days and spray it with clear lacquer.

 

[sphelps]

Looks great !

 

[kcassells]

Yup looks nice.

 

[oldrem]

Agreed - looking good

 

[GA_Boater]

Did you use lead paint for the red and black. She got top heavy and flipped upside down.

Lookin' good. :thumb:

 

[littlerayray]

That is one beautiful looking boat

 

[Woodonglass]

Nice Paint Job!!