I keep my 04 250 CR on a fresh water lake here in Texas (Lake Ray Hubbard) in a slip.  This is my first experience leaving a boat on the water and I am looking for recommadations to help stop the water line "green ring" the boat gets after only a few days in the water.  I have a trailer so I pull it out and clean it but I would prefer to find a better fix than pulling it out. 

The bottom has never been painted (after market) because it was kept on a lift by the previous owner.  So, the question.... if I bottom paint can anyone recommend the best type, process and potentially a place around Dallas?  Or should I put it on a lift?  I assume its personal preference, but a lift is FREAKING expensive....

 

Thanks-

 

 

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Chris Weatherford
"Stocks and Blondes"
2004 250 CR

Keep in mind that once you bottom paint it, you'll have to redo it every couple of years.

To me, the lesser of 2 evils would be to bite off the cost of the lift.  Bottom paint will just be money down the drain, but you can sell the lift and get some money back on it down the road.

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Gary Peak
Acworth, GA
’05 240 EX
350 MAG – BIII
AQUANOMIC$

First off, bottom painting is not an "inexpensive" solution if it's done properly.  The bottom needs to be "etched" first, then several coats of epoxy applied, then finally the bottom paint ($150/gal).  This job is very "labor intensive'"  $$$.   Then every 2-3 years the bottom paint re-applied.  you will also significantly lower you top-end speed.....+ increase fuel consumption.....items you need to consider...IMHO

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Larry Schaefer
07 200 LS 5L VP Garnet w/Razor
"PLAYSTATION"
Prestige BTV

With correct bottom paint (speed rating), the top speed doesn't drop all that much - in our case only 1-2 mph depending on conditions. Etching is also not necessary, sanding is enough. Then apply a primer, then 2-3 layers of bottom paint. This is the minimum! We opted to add osmosis protection: sanding, primer, 3 layers of protection, 2 layers of bottom paint. Re-apply 1-2 layers of bottom paint every 2nd year. For our boat, bottom paint and 10 years of maintenance was less expensive than a lift. I guess there is a turn around point with increasing size, so it is worth calculating your personal situation.

Disadvantage of a lift: you need to put the boat in the water before you can set off... 

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Stefan

2008 275CCR 496MAG B3
"Arosa"

Bottom paint will make your boat worth Less money. The only thing I would do is lift it. That green stuff on the bottom will SLOW the boat down and look bad when on plane plus drink fuel. Your boat deserves at least a good used lift. Cost 4000.00 I paint boats all the time , but not pocket cruisers. 

Jerry, not everybody has the luxury to trailer the boat out of the water after every outing. And not all marinas allow lifts to be installed (non around here). So it really depends on the region if it reduces the resell value or not - around here it is considered added value.

I'll admit even the best (high speed - high grade) bottom paint slows the boat down by 1-2 mph, but that's it! Growth slows it down more, but it doesn't build up as fast as without any protection and itcertainly comes off a lot easier!!! So an intermediate cleaning may be an option? If you have scuba-gear, it can be fun to clean the bottom while the boat is in the water... (My wife said that AFTER watching me - something about a seal trying to rub the belly of a whale) 

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Stefan

2008 275CCR 496MAG B3
"Arosa"

Help me out here now.  I thought leaving the boat in the water without bottom paint would cause the gelcoat to blister.  I thought this was the biggest issue around bottom painting.  Is it just about the water line and speed? 

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Bill and Rogene
"Fine L. Lee"

Bottom pain is a common name for various products.

• Primer... well I guess you know what a good primer doe.
• Osmosis protection or Blister protection prevents water from damaging the hull. This is a chemical reaction, water does not penetrate the hull but reacts with water and chemicals inside the hull.
  
• Antifouling slows down the buil up of growth and prevents it from attaching more permanently.
  

If your boat stays in the water for a couple of months a year, the best solution is to apply different layers: (Primer, depending on surface) - Osmosis protection (2-3 layers) - Primer - Antifouling (2 layers). This is not cheap, but gives peace of mind.

Coming back to resell value: what depreciates a boat more? Blisters or bottom paint?

Yes, you can argue that there is a good warranty on the hull... But that doesn't prevent you from applying extra protection/insurance.

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Stefan

2008 275CCR 496MAG B3
"Arosa"