I just bought my first boat in 25 years, a new 25' Regal. I am waiting
to get a lift in. Are there alternatives to convential anti-fouling
paint? I would prefer not to sand the gelcoat and "permanently scar"
the bottom since I ought to have a lift in about a year.

I am considering telling the dealer to put Pettit Vivid White on the
white bottom gelcoat without any sanding. My logic is the antifouliing
may peel off, but I can touch it up occaisionally on a buddy's lift,
and I can buff off the Bottom Paint when I want to get back to the
original gelcoat. I am on the Chesapeake in sal****er.

Anyone got a better idea or some tips? or am I doing something dumb
without knowing it?

thanks,

ted

wrote:
I just bought my first boat in 25 years, a new 25' Regal. I am waiting
to get a lift in. Are there alternatives to convential anti-fouling
paint? I would prefer not to sand the gelcoat and "permanently scar"
the bottom since I ought to have a lift in about a year.

I am considering telling the dealer to put Pettit Vivid White on the
white bottom gelcoat without any sanding. My logic is the antifouliing
may peel off, but I can touch it up occaisionally on a buddy's lift,
and I can buff off the Bottom Paint when I want to get back to the
original gelcoat. I am on the Chesapeake in sal****er.

Anyone got a better idea or some tips? or am I doing something dumb
without knowing it?

thanks,

ted

Ted,

I will never understand why anyone wouldn't paint their boat bottom,
their's just no good reason not to. No the boat is not worth more if
the bottom isn't painted. And lifts do break down, in which case, if
you can't get the boat out of the water if you aren't home, or on
vacation, you will have a lot more problems. Paint it, and don't worry
if it has to stay in the water. By the way, the best way to store any
hull is on it's own bottom, in the water. A lift can distort the bottom
if the boat is heavy enough, the bottom's not strong and it's left for
extended periods of time. In most cases, it's minimal and temorary, but
I wouldn't store anything but a small boat on a lift, just my two
cents.

John