Routine boat maintainance . . . . . . .

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Wed May 25, 2011 5:34 am

Hey all,
Tomorrow, Thursday,
I will be hauling Destiny out for bottom sanding and painting.

Alan is kind enough to meet with me at the marina and assist in docking maneuvers.

Tomorrow she'll get lifted out and pressure washed. Friday evening weather permitting she'll get her bottom sanded. Saturday she'll get painted, and partially waxed. Sunday she'll get her fisnish waxed. Monday she gets splashed. The time schedule is only a guess. We usually do this in three days but given our horrid weather we've allowed an extra day.

I understand she is not a Chrysler
If there is any interest here I can photo document the process.

FYI
I use the same process on my C22's with the exception of what paint I select. For a boat that stays in the water I use the same Micron Extra Interlux. For a boat that stays on a trailer I'd likely go with a harder paint.

Scott

hp18carr · Post by **hp18carr** » Wed May 25, 2011 5:59 am

Scott
Even not being a Chrysler... having a good documented paint job on this forum can only be a good thing in my book.

Terrence
Wilmington N.C.
Chrysler 26' 1980
Pandora (for now)

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Wed May 25, 2011 6:28 am

It's all a mater of perspective. With Destiny a long, long way off and a Chrysler C-26 up real close, Destiny looks a bit like a Chrysler.

Okay, that was a big stretch. Yes I want to see how it's done please.

Thanks
Alan

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Wed May 25, 2011 8:04 am

I'm with the other. Please document and post away! It's the process/technique.

Thanks in advance!

What's the "harder" paint you use on the trailered boat?

astrorad · Post by **astrorad** » Wed May 25, 2011 9:03 am

Yes by all means let us see the process...also interested in the harder paint.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Wed May 25, 2011 9:34 am

As far as paints go, I'm not an expert in the details however when I find what I like, I stick to it.

Here in the Puget Sound we have growth on the bottom of the boats! Ask Alan! LOL! To combat the growth there are many types of paints out there. The paint "type" that we use is an ablative paint. What that means is the paint intentionally sluffs off over time. For example, a barnical attatches itself to the painted surface. The paint intentionally actually falls off the bottom of the boat dropping the barnical. Don't picture a hole in your paint now! LOL! It is an extremely thin layer. Also in the paint are coppers and biocides. This is to help kill and remove any of the green slimes that grow on the boat. The drawback to this ablative paint is it is not a perfectly smooth surface. If you race competatively you will hate the softer paints that sluff. It slows the boat a tad. YIKES! Lost performance on a race boat!!! On the other hand, sluffing paint allows for a very easy sanding when you need to clean up and repaint! All you really do is knock off the loose surface layers, clean up , soften with solvent, and repaint! YEAY! ( I'm lazy ). No need to completely remove it all unless it gets very thick. But then you are likely painting to often so wait longer befor the next application! YEAY! Just remember to paint all the leading edges of the keel, rudder, and bow with an extra layer or two! This allows for the " natural " and extra sluffing do to more water friction!

Why not sluffing paint on a trailer sailor. No reason. With the exception of how often you are on and off the trailer. Lady Jo has ablative paint. However with continous launch and retrevals you will wear the paint off the bottom of the boat faster! Easy repair but something to be aware of. Lastly, the ablative paint is not as pretty over time as the hard shell paints. With the added copper in the more expensive versions the bottom will take a slight green color. This is due to the oxidation of the copper in the paint. No worries if you boat is in the water 24X7 but if you trailer her you will notice the color change and think you need a repaint even though all is just FINE!

Contrast to a harder paint.
Now, harder shelled paints do not sluff off. They are a much smoother surfaced paint. So racer love them! Things do tend to stick to harder paints easier so if your boat lives in the water a regular cleaning might be in order. The harder paint will last longer barring actual damage. Harder paints look better longer assuming you clean them regularly. Hadrer paints tend to last a lot longer on a trailer sailor with regular use. However patching or repair a paint job is a LOT more work. God forbid you need to sand it off and repaint one day. . . . and you will . . . .

So the very basic differences are laid out for you. It really is a pay me now or pay me later situation. My opinion is an ablative paint is much better for Destiny and LAdy Jo since they both spend time in moorage.

Forplay currently is a trailer queen. I do not forsee her living in the water for any length of time so I might test a new to me harder paint on her.

In closing some paints do not mix. IE if you are changing your paint on the bottom of your boat be sure to ask if what you have is compatible with what you put on! ( not color but brand ). IE you can not put a hard shell over ablative! LOL! It'll sluff off in pieces and look horrible!

Last tip:
With ablative paints you always want a base color that is dramatically different than the regular color. Not immediately but plan the change. Lady Jo's base color is red. It looked beautiful! However we went with black and are still painting her black. Why you ask? When you are sanding the ablative paint you need to stop before the gelcote!We sand until we see red and stop! LOL! Destiny's base color is an awefull green color but now is black! That photo floating around of me was the year AFTER we painted her green and we painted her black again that year! Why? A very obious color change so you DO NOT over sand!

Hope this helps!
Scott

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Wed May 25, 2011 9:50 am

Thanks Scott!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed May 25, 2011 8:33 pm

Hey Scott, I helped decommission the Coast Guard Bouy Tender Mariposa. At the time the oldest vessel in the CG inventory. It was said her hull bottom was in great condition because she often went through the locks to Lake Washington. In the fresh water the salt water growth died and fell off, and traveling back to Eliot Bay's salt water killed the alge from the lake.

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Wed May 25, 2011 10:39 pm

Now why would anybody on this forum object to picts of a sailboat being worked on???

Just wondrin aloud really,,, if no stink I may post some of my Catalina 27 work. One thing I have learned is, a glass boat is a glass boat and technique doesn't change. I constantly look at how folks do mods and learn from them or just get ideas in general.

My 27 is going to be a customized boat when done,,, redone by us for us

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu May 26, 2011 4:58 am

Bhacurly wrote:Now why would anybody on this forum object to picts of a sailboat being worked on???

I'm with you Billy,

However this is a Chrysler forum not a Beneteau forum. If all I did was talk about Destiny on the forum I'm sure there sooner or later would be eyebrows raised. Not a bad thing.

I did not expect there to be any issue at all however I figured It would be right to at least ask the group before slapping Beneteau photos all over!

This is by far the best online overall group of folks that I spend time with.
I'd like to keep it that way!!

GROUP HUG!!

Scott

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu May 26, 2011 5:06 am

Paul wrote:Hey Scott, I helped decommission the Coast Guard Bouy Tender Mariposa. At the time the oldest vessel in the CG inventory. It was said her hull bottom was in great condition because she often went through the locks to Lake Washington. In the fresh water the salt water growth died and fell off, and traveling back to Eliot Bay's salt water killed the alge from the lake.

Hey Paul, that is really cool! I hat to see any ship get decomissioned however I also know it is for the best.

I understand the salt VS fresh waters! We too have a similar issue! Destiny is actually moored in the Snohimish river! When the tide comes in we get a salt water rinse. When the tide goes out, we get fresh! It generally is brackish however there is a definite change at higher tides!

For the first 4 years of owning Destiny we pulled, sanded, and bottom painted her EVERY year! One year a while back we opted to go every other year because the bottom always seemed so nice! WOW! after two years the bottom stayed very clean relative to other places! ( ask Alan LOL! ) I'm sure some of this is the brackish water. Alan will get to see first hand two years growth on Destiny today! I have may camera and will take photos!

Scott

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:58 am

Let's see Scott, this weekend you'll be all suited up and covered in old bottom paint dust - I'll be sitting 7 miles offshore on a deserted island beach in a tshirt and shorts covered in Bullfrog suntan lotion....

Actually the sea and winds aren't looking to good at the moment, at least not for a 21' boat that only weighs 1200 pounds or so, and I probably just jinxed the whole trip, but I couldn't resist..

hotdot · Post by **hotdot** » Mon May 30, 2011 4:36 am

i agree with capt scott. here in florida the water can get really warm and grow a crusty salad on the boat bottoms. i use the two paint hard/soft combination successfully. i also started barrier coating to help stop blistering.
p.s i am posting thisrom my kindle at anchor 5 miles offshore of crystal river florida.

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Tue May 31, 2011 5:02 am

hotdot wrote:p.s i am posting thisrom my kindle at anchor 5 miles offshore of crystal river florida.

Glad somebody got out, my trip got postponed due to a last minute family thing on Sunday, and bad conditions Monday. Could have gone down for a daysail, but I wasn't feeling the long round trip, boat setup and breakdown just for that in 95 degree heat. Will try again this weekend.