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I think It might be time to paint the bottom of my 98 , for a few reasons.
1. Its never been painted (22 years young).
2. It had some type of calcium type build-up on it through-out at and below the water line. see
I scraped as much of this stuff off that I could. Then I sanded all I could without removing any gel-coat, yet lightly scuffing the gel-coat.
While scraping and sanding I found what appear to about 6 blisters, approx. 3/8" and less. I have not investigated these at this time, but will
do so tomorrow.
3. The boat is new to me and want to do this for longevity.

I know I can pick it up off the trailer (leaving the trailer under it) by building some wooden frames as found in the mods section.

Now I am looking for the suggestions on the type/brand of primer and paint should I use? I believe I need primer and paint for good adhesion.
Will be using roller and brush.
Any tips would be helpful.

Thanks Doug

A couple of years ago I planned on leaving Andaluz moored for the season (fresh water, Lake Champlain). Long exposure to water requires a barrier coat then some kind of anti-fouling paint. Way beyond my expertise and abilities I had it done by the marina. They used an epoxy paint and an ablative anti-fouling paint.

Do you know where the boat was kept/used by the previous owner? was it kept in water or trailered?

Looks like trailer use without washing afterward. But that is a wild guess.

That looks like dried slime. If you don't get it off when wet, it hardens into a nasty surface. I use Mary Kate On&Off and it melts virtually any junk off like magic. Just have good ventilation.


Sumner always learns the best practices before he takes on a project. He documented his bottom paint VERY well here.
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-39.html

Russ wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:13 am I use Mary Kate On&Off and it melts virtually any junk off like magic. Just have good ventilation.

And wear eye protection. Preferably goggles, not just glasses.

Heck, I walked into a phrm-xd to pick up a prescription just this morning, got a squirt of hand sanitizer on the way in, and promptly shot myself in the eye when I put my hands together. Burned like crazy.

On & Off would be far worse. Good stuff, but nasty. Hydrochloric and Phosphoric acid, plus alcohol and other stuff.

Yes don,t go blindly forward as did Tom
Sorry Tom could,nt help myself

J

Tomfoolery wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:28 am On & Off would be far worse. Good stuff, but nasty. Hydrochloric and Phosphoric acid, plus alcohol and other stuff.

It's is VERY harsh stuff which is why it works so well. Only use it with a slight breeze and a mask and glasses.

Highlander wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2020 3:45 pm Yes don,t go blindly forward as did Tom
Sorry Tom could,nt help myself

J

Hey, I put a fastball right down the middle and I can’t expect someone to not knock out.

i used Starbrite Hull Cleaner. There are a number of off the shelf products. Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, Oxalic acid, wood bleach etc.

Just keep the drive wet as all are acids that eat concrete of seriously alter the soil ph.

I bought the boat in N.Dakota where it had resided all its life as per the PO. I am the 3rd owner.
Its been a fresh water boat, probably on the trailer most of its life, except this time. Then it sat like this.
After reading comments I believe it is dried caked on slime.

I got some on/off and am using it with safety protection. I taped plastic to the trailer for protection.
The on/off seems to take it down pretty good after about the 5th to 8th application.


I believe I should still paint the bottom (22 year old gelcoat) when I finish removing the rest of this stuff.
I viewed sumners webpage and it looks like I might use the sea hawk paint, with tuff stuff primer, thinners, cleaners, etc..
One of the paint stores will not ship this product (cukote) to my state. I will check tomorrow.

Its staying above freezing in the mornings around here now. So I could have a window for painting soon.
Today I got some boards and built a rear support (bow support soon)to lift the boat off the trailer (leaving the trailer under the boat).
I think i'm headed the right direction.

Wish me luck

Mary Kate on & off works well but you need to let it work on the organic crud.


I often use Muriatic acid from box store. NASTY stuff and is similar to (On & Off) which I think is a similar acid. Use with protection for lungs, eyes and skin.

Step 1
Spray the bottom of the boat with water using the garden hose with the high pressure nozzle.

Step 2
Put on the safety goggles and rubber gloves and mask.

Step 3
Fill the bottle sprayer with a 50/50 solution of Muriatic acid and water.

Step 4
Spray one side of the boat's bottom thoroughly with the Muriatic acid mixture using the bottle sprayer. Let the acid mixture soak on the boat's bottom for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 5
Clean the boat using the brush to completely remove slime and growth. Use a brush on a pole.

Step 6
Rinse the boat's bottom with water using the garden hose with the high pressure nozzle.

Looking good! Doesn't look like you need luck - looks like you have plenty of game to pull it off. But, since you asked, GOOD LUCK!

I believe I have put together the painting list for my 26X. Bare Gel-coat.

Brand: Seahawk
Item Quantity Purpose
1. S-80 wax and grease killer 1 gallon Clean, Sand bottom w/80 grit, Clean and Clean
2. Tuff Stuff 2 part Epoxy Primer 2 Gallons 2+ Coats
3. Sharkskin Anti-fouling 2 Gallons 2+ Coats
4. 2033 Reducer and Clean-up 1 Gallon Reducing and clean

What do yall think? Change anything?

I spoke with Todd @ BW Yachts last year. He recommended SeaHawk Monterey.

I ordered the primer and paint 2 days ago. I went with the sharkskin topcoat because the spec sheet said it is good for trailer saiIing.
I already have the boat lifted up on the rear support and will be working on the front support tomorrow. It was spitting snow this morning.
Will have video/photos of the process.