Whats with all the white boats?

[yellowwducky]

Hi all,

Just curious why the vast majority of sailboats are white. I can see that in hot climes that would be a good thing compared to a black one for instance - but what about the people in cold climes? Where are say some nice pale yellow or blue or orange or red boats? Rarely do you see any boats with color on them. The nicest boat I have ever seen on the water was a beautiful black 50 foot sailboat down in NZ. I have never seen - in person - a black boat since. Is it expensive to make fiberglass in any color other than white? Is it that colors then show dings from docking mistakes so people avoid them on that front? Heck, I don't even see an option to get colors other than white at most manufacturers' websites.

What gives? Why can't I have a nice pale yellow boat!?

Yellowwducky

[US27inKS]

You mean like the one in the background?

[US27inKS]

Or is this shade of very pale yellow more to your liking?

[Mipcar]

My own boat is Red hull/white deck. I think it pretty much is a cost thing in modern production boats. Although there might be a consideration for heat absorption into the fibreglass as well. White will better reflect U.V and heat so maybe better for the 'glass'.
At my Marina there is a Tartan with a black hull.

Mychael

[yellowwducky]

US27inKS, that yellow one in the background looks smokin! Very nice.

I only brought up the thread as it seems, very unscientifically taht about 17/20 boats are pretty much all white (I am excluding a red stripe for instance). Definitely not many like that cool looking yellow one around. I am just curious if, as mentioned, its for a performance reason like durability of the glass as mentioned for instance.

[Idiens]

I put it down to the charter companies, who are the major buyers, ordering white and any other colour costing extra. The rescue services have often appealed for yellow or red as it stands out better in a storm.

[yellowwducky]

Yup, I am learning that charter companies are to blame for a lot of 'problems' that I would have with a potential boat! No snazzy colors, fat and bloated etc etc

[Giulietta]

white is also easier to clean, and keep cleaner.
White shows less hull imperfections, in white its esaier to remove scratches, than in colours, white attracts less heat, a boat shows its true lines in white, white is cheaper, from white you can almost go any colour

Even SD's boat would look good in dark blue

[sander06]

I would suggest that "white" is the traditional color of a "modern" sailing vessel (1920-the present). It's a relatively recent phenomenon that boats are being "painted in the new pastel colors. Of course, prior to that, "wood" was the color of a boat. Something in a shade of "log" would be nice. Or perhaps a "Birch-Bark" hue.

[bubb2]

You can have it any color you want!!

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