New boat hull - gelcoat only

GBurton · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

What do I put down as far as bottom paint? This is basically a new hull and never been in the water even though it is 30 years old....

JohnRPollard · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

What kind of boat? If it is 30 years old, you may want to consider first investigating whether an epoxy barrier coat should be applied, since hulls of that vintage were often prone to osmotic blistering. After that, you'd choose an anti-fouling paint that is recommended for your area.

GBurton · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

Westsail 32

JohnRPollard · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

If it were mine, I would apply a barrier coat. There are mixed opinions about barrier-coating boats that have already been in the water for years, but you have a virgin hull and to the best of my knowledge you can save yourself a lot of potential headache down the road if you apply a barrier coat now. This assumes the hull was stored dry, not out in some farm field where it was occasionally used as a swimming pool.

Hopefully some of the experts on this forum will weigh in here and give you more definitive guidance.

Gene T · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

Good advice John.

TrueBlue · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

I'm curious to know where on earth you found a virgin 30 YO Westsail 32, and whatever interesting stories you may want to share about it.

JohnRPollard · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

Yeah, me too!

We had a young couple at our marina a few years back that had found one in a barn that was about 50% complete. They finished it off, sailed locally on the Chesapeake for about a season -- then off they went.

TrueBlue · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

There's been one on the hard at our marina for about 5 years now, lived aboard by the owner - who has been faithfully restoring her for when he casts the bowlines off in a few months. Incredible amount of work - since it was in tough shape to begin with.

Rumor has it, he recently fell in love with another woman who hates sailing and has abandoned his dreams. What a sweet boat just waiting for someone to complete the little bit of work left.

Bardo · #9 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

name and number, TB? Sounds like a distress sale.

GBurton · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

Thanks for the advice!

Don't want to give too much away right now, have yet to pay for the boat.
Saturday is the day!