Painting Your Boat The Inexpensive Way

Painting Your Boat The Inexpensive Way

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When buying a pre-owned trawler or motor yacht, its easy to be disappointed by the exterior looks of the yacht. However, I'm not proposing that it be dismissed. I tell boat buyers to judge how good the used trawler or motor yachts been kept up by how she looks. If the gel coats all beat up and the brightwork is in terrible condition, I normally find the rest of the boat the same way. It's merely an indicator.

All things considered, a dull exterior isn't a terrible matter either. The gel coat on a used trawler or motor yacht is there for a single purpose, to make the yacht look good. It has no other function. The gel coats worst enemy is the UV rays of the sun. After 5-10 years exposed to in the Florida sun, almost all gel coats begin to dull and chalk up. Not even intense buffing will bring the gel coat back to the luster when it was brand new. So when you find a used trawler or motor yacht that has a dull outside but everything else is up to par, there is a simple way to salvage her. How you ask, by painting her?

There are just a few boats that are factory painted, Hatteras and Hutchins are two that come to mind.When we purchased our trawler the Patricia Ann, she was in excellent condition, but her gel coat was pale and there were several cosmetic fiberglass dings present. Professional painting of a used trawler or motor yacht is no inexpensive task. You can plan on about $1000 a foot to have it painted professionally so that was unthinkable.

I set out to explore the procedure of performing the painting myself and learn as much as I could about what paint to choose and how to do it. At the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, I talked with spokespeople from Interlux. The rep told me that both the Interlux make of topside paints and the Awlgrip trademark are very synonymous in preparation and practical application. Interlux, even so, is formulated for the do-it-yourselfer. So my selection was made, Interlux Perfection, two part paint was the way to go.

I'm not going to discuss what the directions read, let me just say that although operating with two-part paints looks intimidating, its really very easy to do. Just stick to the directions supplied with each can of paint and you'll get the technique right away.

I chose the roll and tip technique of practical application as spraying in a crowded was impossible. Its simple to do once you practice. I practiced on a scrap piece of glass until I had it down pat. Directions are supplied by Interlux.

Here are a few pointers.

Start your project by separating the used trawler or motor yacht into workable divisions; that way the project will not overcome you. I chose the port bow pulpit on the Patricia Ann to begin my project.

Preparation of the painting surface consumes about 3/4 of the time you will spend on your plan. A terrible surface will create a terrible paint job. Start by wiping the gel coat with paint thinner. This will rid the surface of any wax that may have been used that will cause your paint to lift after application.

The next step, take a small hammer and go over the whole area to be painted, taping lightly to locate any voids beneath the gel coat. When you find them and you will, dig them out with a Dremel tool. You don't want to waste the money and time to do a nice paint job and have voids crack later on.

I utilized the West System epoxy with the fairing filler to fill the ground out places. Follow the directions supplied to make the resin easy to use. Sand them flat after the restored places have dried. Rinse the dust off with fresh water.

Are you ready to give up yet?

Now we must tape the region that's going to be painted and take off any hardware to make it go easier. I used the 14 day painter's tape in stock at Lowe's or Home Depot for masking.

OK, its time to paint. I like to use a 4 inch foam roller and the best 2-1/2 inch natural paint brush I could find, also in stock at Lowe's. Mix only sufficient paint that you can apply in 2 hours, for me its 1/2 quart. The paint is expensive, about $85.00 a quart and you don't need to be throwing any out.

Only use paint when the relative humidity is 75% or less. Be sure there is no chance of rain.

Two part paint needs about 5 hrs. to cure. Be sure to complete your paint application before noon to provide complete drying. If dew falls on your paint, the moisture will turn the gloss to a flat finish. I use a window between 10 AM and noon to paint.

All said and done, it took over 600 hours to prep and paint the Patricia Ann. We utilized about 1 gallon of West System resin and 12 quarts of Interlux Perfection to paint two coats on her.

Was it worthwhile?

Absolutely! She looks beautiful!

If you have been contemplating the painting of your used trawler or motor yacht and would like to ask me some specific questions, feel free to ask.

About the Author:
Mike Dickens, the author, is a liveaboard boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.


Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide.


Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale


National and international sales. We ship Used Yachts and Used Boats worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431



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