Raising Waterline

[Livia]

We are going to raise our waterline (or rather, we are going to raise our bottom paint!) this Spring.

Keeping a level line won't be a problem because we have a double thin-lined bootstripe just above the current waterline.

My real question is - do you need to do anything to the gel coat to make the bottom coat stick or to further seal it?

We're aware that she sails best on her designed waterline and have weighed that into our gear choices but with a self-steering system and a new battery bank...and more diesel tankage...she is a little heavier than she came to us.

Thank you for your time, Livia

[norsearayder]

usually a high waterline means your getting into a smuggling operation...good luck with that...lol

[sailingdog]

Most boats, especially ones that are going to be used for longer term cruising, are going to sit low on their lines to some degree. You may want to use a barrier coat, like Interprotect 2000E, as a primer, but it really depends on what bottom paint you're using. Some paints will stick to properly prepared gelcoat just fine, others need a primer.

[nickmerc]

I raisee my water line by 1" this summer. I got tired of the Chesapeake Bay mustache from the nasty water. Since this new area was not submerged all of the time I did not bother with barrier coat. However, I did sand with 60 grit paper and cleaned the dust thoroughly. Just like painting over older ablative bottom paint per the manufacturer. So far no issues since early August 2009.
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[Livia]

Thanks for the responses. Sounds relatively straightforward. We've been using ablative paints - Micron mostly.

We have to make the general decision to barrier coat or not at some point but that is not for this Spring (and a different can of worms).

[Sabreman]

We raised our waterline by 1.5" for the same reason as nickmerc. We sanded with 80 grit followed by 120 and a wipedown to get rid of the dust. Been fine for 5 years.

[Livia]

Thank you Sabreman