Bottom Paint

Ken Krawford · February 10, 2025, 01:39:03 AM

I'm getting ready to list my boat for sale. It really needs bottom paint and I'm debating whether to have it done or leave it as is and factor that into the price. The other variable is I always compound and wax the hull while the boat is hauled. Obviously this would increase the "curb appeal".
Any thoughts pro or con?

ewengstrom · February 10, 2025, 06:30:53 AM

My two cents.
Anything for sale that shows to a potential buyer as "well cared for" will both move faster and possibly command a higher sale price. If it shows like it's been just used and rarely looked after, that might put a potential buyer off completely.
YBYC but I try to take very, very good care of my boats (and pretty much everything else) and I've been able to sell my boats in hours, not months.

krafty81 · February 10, 2025, 09:44:47 AM

I think you could have a good investment with the bottom paint and wax job - get more for your boat!

waughoo · February 10, 2025, 10:39:19 AM

Another vote for paint and polish. I work a lot with houses and the ones that are dialed in get sold. The ones with lots of things left to do get passed over. You would be well served by rolling a fresh coat of bottom paint and polishing up the topsides.

Ron Hill · February 10, 2025, 03:11:23 PM

Ken : Why wouldn't you make your boat "shine" to get the best price for you boat???

A thought

Ken Krawford · February 11, 2025, 01:39:31 AM

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Regarding the type/brand of bottom paint - since I don't know where the boat will eventually end up (salt vs fresh water) should I just select a paint appropriate for it's current location (fresh water)?

waughoo · February 11, 2025, 10:11:52 PM

Yes... just put on a coat of what should be on there for where you use it.

KWKloeber · February 11, 2025, 10:56:37 PM

Apologize if I'm not paying attention. Whereabouts is she and what bottom is (was) on her?

Quote from: Ken Krawford on February 11, 2025, 01:39:31 AMThanks everyone for your feedback. Regarding the type/brand of bottom paint - since I don't know where the boat will eventually end up (salt vs fresh water) should I just select a paint appropriate for it's current location (fresh water)?

Ken Krawford · February 13, 2025, 02:14:40 AM

The boat is in fresh water (Atlanta, GA area). I don't remember the exact brand of paint but I believe it is a high copper content ablative paint.

Quote from: KWKloeber on February 11, 2025, 10:56:37 PMApologize if I'm not paying attention. Whereabouts is she and what bottom is (was) on her?

Quote from: Ken Krawford on February 11, 2025, 01:39:31 AMThanks everyone for your feedback. Regarding the type/brand of bottom paint - since I don't know where the boat will eventually end up (salt vs fresh water) should I just select a paint appropriate for it's current location (fresh water)?

KWKloeber · February 13, 2025, 05:50:35 AM

Ok Ken i was just wondering whether it was a VC17

I presume you've been using a 2-color system. Is she still working off the top color or down to the base?

Quote from: Ken Krawford on February 13, 2025, 02:14:40 AMThe boat is in fresh water (Atlanta, GA area). I don't remember the exact brand of paint but I believe it is a high copper content ablative paint.

Robert Mann · February 13, 2025, 07:12:16 PM

Hey Ken, Wes put Trinidad Pro on mine last 2 times. Its a hard surface paint. Seems to work well on the lake. Mine took 7qts, but you have a couple of feet on me.

Kyle Ewing · February 13, 2025, 09:35:55 PM

Definitely wax her so she shines like new. If the current paint is not recommended for salt water and needs to be stripped to prepare for the ocean, I'd think twice about the paint unless you expect to sell her locally.

Ken Krawford · February 14, 2025, 01:54:50 AM

Mostly green showing but some of the red base coat is peeking through. Once the algae/slime is pressure washed at haulout I suspect it will be mostly base paint.

Quote from: KWKloeber on February 13, 2025, 05:50:35 AMOk Ken i was just wondering whether it was a VC17

I presume you've been using a 2-color system. Is she still working off the top color or down to the base?

Quote from: Ken Krawford on February 13, 2025, 02:14:40 AMThe boat is in fresh water (Atlanta, GA area). I don't remember the exact brand of paint but I believe it is a high copper content ablative paint.

Ken Krawford · February 14, 2025, 01:58:31 AM

Thanks Robert. Wes has done a couple million bottoms

so I guess his choice is a good one. Last bottom job I used 2 gallons.
I had a couple of inquiries last year about selling the boat but most deferred when they got quotes moving it to the coast so I suspect the boat will probably stay local.

Quote from: Robert Mann on February 13, 2025, 07:12:16 PMHey Ken, Wes put Trinidad Pro on mine last 2 times. Its a hard surface paint. Seems to work well on the lake. Mine took 7qts, but you have a couple of feet on me.

scgunner · February 15, 2025, 06:13:19 AM

Ken,

I assume the boat is coming out of the water for a survey at that point you should have a pretty serious buyer lined up why not let him make the call on what to put on the bottom. When we bought our boat it had been in the water for about a year and a half so when it came out for the survey we painted the bottom and zero timed the hull.