CaptainJim
Well-known member
after a long and debated procrastination, it was finally time to take the bottom down to gelcoat and start over. I was not getting decent fuel economy, i was lugging my motor (last season was havng trouble getting it to turn past 4900), and the bottom looked like crap. I was even considering re-propping the boat to a 15" pitch because it was lugging.
I thought about soda blasting (expensive)...decided I was going to have it blocked in the yard and sand it myself
I got the transom done, and started on the bow, and I got 1 foot into the bow and said 'this sucks ass'
I ended up paying 2 college kids to scrape and sand the bottom ($100 a day, plus lunch and cigarettes). They did it in a full day, using paint scrapers first then attacking it with 6 grit to get it nice and smooth.
I did some gelcoat repairs, put a new through hull for the washdown (last one was clogged to death with barnacles, and I snapped the soft brass it while trying to clean it...oops)
I painted with interlux micron extra- and WOW was i surprised at the difference between the cheapo paint (i had always used west marine bottom kote) and the $250 a gallon stuff. I thinned it out with interlux 216, and 2 coats rolled on in a breeze. The bottom paint dries nearly shiney and smooth.
The bottom line:
last season (scaley paint, west marine brand paint)
Cruise: 4000 rpm, 22.5 kts, WOT 4900 rpm 29.0 kts
Now, fresh bottom, expensive paint
Cruise: 4000 rpm, 27.5kts, WOT 5300 RPM 34kts (I hit 34 kts and backed off the throttle, i started to scare myself)
Total Cost:
Blocking the Boat: $60
Respirators, Goggles, Gloves, Sand paper: $100
Acetone, Thinners, brushes, painting supplies: $50
Interlux Micron Extra 1 gal: $212 (Port Supply, West Marine)
Permatex, 5200, Through Hull Fitting: $50
Labor costs: $300 (2 kids one day for sanding, , 1 kid one day for painting)
Not bad for 5 knots...well worth it imo. Time will tell how the expensive paint holds up.
I thought about soda blasting (expensive)...decided I was going to have it blocked in the yard and sand it myself
I got the transom done, and started on the bow, and I got 1 foot into the bow and said 'this sucks ass'
I ended up paying 2 college kids to scrape and sand the bottom ($100 a day, plus lunch and cigarettes). They did it in a full day, using paint scrapers first then attacking it with 6 grit to get it nice and smooth.
I did some gelcoat repairs, put a new through hull for the washdown (last one was clogged to death with barnacles, and I snapped the soft brass it while trying to clean it...oops)
I painted with interlux micron extra- and WOW was i surprised at the difference between the cheapo paint (i had always used west marine bottom kote) and the $250 a gallon stuff. I thinned it out with interlux 216, and 2 coats rolled on in a breeze. The bottom paint dries nearly shiney and smooth.
The bottom line:
last season (scaley paint, west marine brand paint)
Cruise: 4000 rpm, 22.5 kts, WOT 4900 rpm 29.0 kts
Now, fresh bottom, expensive paint
Cruise: 4000 rpm, 27.5kts, WOT 5300 RPM 34kts (I hit 34 kts and backed off the throttle, i started to scare myself)
Total Cost:
Blocking the Boat: $60
Respirators, Goggles, Gloves, Sand paper: $100
Acetone, Thinners, brushes, painting supplies: $50
Interlux Micron Extra 1 gal: $212 (Port Supply, West Marine)
Permatex, 5200, Through Hull Fitting: $50
Labor costs: $300 (2 kids one day for sanding, , 1 kid one day for painting)
Not bad for 5 knots...well worth it imo. Time will tell how the expensive paint holds up.
