bottom paint on new boat

[bjciii]

First Boat, ?Stupid question: I am happily getting my first real boat and intend to trail it most ofthe time to Delaware, NJ and in august to the Cape. Most of the time it will come out of the water each day onto the trailer but there may be times up to a week or more when it could sit in a marina. Should I have the bottom painted with an ablative.

Thanks for any thoughts.

If I do have it done how much might it run?

[PeteV]

follow up to your post, I share the same question .... I just bought a used boat and was strongly encouraged to paint the bottom with an ablative paint (previous owner). I figured why not! so I bought a small can for my 17 footer. The stuff is like a $100+ for a gallon so I bought a small container for $40 to see how far it would get me (WEST Marine).

I'm not certain what the advantage the ablative paint provides for painting below the waterline.
My decision point was to either hire some one or do it myself.
I chose the do it myself route so I'll let you know how it goes. I hope you share your experience.

by the way That paint is heavy... the little can feels like its full of lead.

Good luck
Pete

[pat horgan]

Warning!

Copper based ablative paint reacts negatively (galvanic corrosion) with aluminum (motor brackets, lower units etc). Manufacturers recommend a 1-2 inch space left around aluminum hardware.

[cmacclel]

Theres no need to bottom paint any boat unless your keeping it in salt water for an exteded period of time. If your trailering your boat don't worry about it.


Chris

[Nauti Buoy]

I also don't think you need to paint your boat since you'll be mostly trailering it. For those times you leave it in a week, clean it with On & Off, but be careful to use it in a well ventilated area and not to inhale it as it contains Oxalic acid Hydrochloric acid. It works well without scrubbing. Just apply it with a long handled, soft brush (such as what the truckers use to clean their rigs), and rinse off. Suggest you lay down some plastic over your trailer before you use it, as it will "shine" the galvanizing. ;)