Aluminium boats - Whats the best paint system?

[Biscuit1983]

Hi again all,
As some of you will be aware i have started a business building aluminium boats, I've been looking at various paint systems, International, Jotun and others. And the various products they sell.

Just wanted to see what people thought were the best ones for direct to aluminium, looking at 2 pack paints for durability at the moment, primer then a semi gloss topcoat.

I've attached a photo of my most recent build, working with a local designer to create my own range, that is the smallest of them, she measures 12x6 ft, very stable and sturdy little boat. The rest of the range will consist of a 14 with a cuddy, a 16 with a cuddy and self draining deck (freeboard too low on the 12 and 14 to have it that way) and then from there moving up to a 19, 21 and a 24, all of which will follow the same design lines, but will have Cabin and Center console options.

Be interested to see what you think, the paint is my main question but be interested to see what you all think of the new design.

You can follow me on facebook if you like at the following link.

R.L Engineering

Thanks
Robert

 

[[70521]]

I have yet to see a painted aluminium boat. All of the French boat builders leave their boats nude for good reason, usually cost.

 

[BruceK]

As a hobbyist aluminium TIG welder myself looking at that design, that is going to make you very popular indeed with BOC and keep you happily welding for quite some time. A lot of labour to look forward to. Can I ask what grade aluminium? I've used 5xxx series, which I presume you are using for marine, when requiring paint before and what I found was the primer was the soft part. If the top coat was pierced it would readily run along the primer. To solve this I brushed the aluminium which gave better adhesion. However this was all in hobbyist mode where good will do and great is the goal. Good luck.

 

[Biscuit1983]

As a hobbyist aluminium TIG welder myself looking at that design, that is going to make you very popular indeed with BOC and keep you happily welding for quite some time. A lot of labour to look forward to. Can I ask what grade aluminium? I've used 5xxx series, which I presume you are using for marine, when requiring paint before and what I found was the primer was the soft part. If the top coat was pierced it would readily run along the primer. To solve this I brushed the aluminium which gave better adhesion. However this was all in hobbyist mode where good will do and great is the goal. Good luck.

Hi
The grade of aluminium is 5083, best grade for aluminium boats.
I actually use Hobbyweld for the gas i dont use much of, and Airproducts for the Argon, their new 30l Integra cylinder with the inbuilt regulator and flow optimizer save loads of gas, great set up.
I am actually planning on brushing and or sanding the plate to make the adhesion better, just wonder what the best paint for the job is.

 

[Biscuit1983]

I have yet to see a painted aluminium boat. All of the French boat builders leave their boats nude for good reason, usually cost.

I used to work over in australia when i was deep sea, most of the boats you saw there were aluminium, very little fibreglass around. Certainly at the north end of Oz anyway where i was based.
They were all painted and looked briliant, here's a link to a New Zealand builder / designer who paint most of their boats.

White Pointer 730 Sports Cruiser

 

[atol]

i have had good results with jotun,after using a zinc chromate surface prep
Jotun Jotamastic 87 Aluminium Winter Grade 5LT (New U.K Stock) | eBay

 

[Biscuit1983]

i have had good results with jotun,after using a zinc chromate surface prep
Jotun Jotamastic 87 Aluminium Winter Grade 5LT (New U.K Stock) | eBay

Is the Zinc Chromate ok on the aluminium? wouldn't cause corrosion issues?

 

[Seastoke]

Is the Zinc Chromate ok on the aluminium? wouldn't cause corrosion issues?

Where are you based

 

[atol]

Is the Zinc Chromate ok on the aluminium? wouldn't cause corrosion issues?

it is used as an acid etch primer,works best when mixed with 50% thinners ,it also dispells moisture leaving a very thin layer not sure about the corrosive properties,but zinc is generally used for protecting aluminium from corrosion,zinc being less noble on the galvanic table than aluminium

 

[Biscuit1983]

Where are you based

Based in the Shetland Islands. But planning on shipping boats to the mainland.

 

[Laser310]

I have yet to see a painted aluminium boat. All of the French boat builders leave their boats nude for good reason, usually cost.

The French paint plenty of their aluminum boats.

Here is one that I really like - it's by JFA

 

[Biscuit1983]

The French paint plenty of their aluminum boats.

Here is one that I really like - it's by JFA

View attachment 111801

Beauty.

 

[Seastoke]

there are quite a few alloy builders how do you expect to compete, ie delivery charges Etc.

 

[Biscuit1983]

there are quite a few alloy builders how do you expect to compete, ie delivery charges Etc.

Make the best boats, at the best prices i suppose. The shipping isnt as much as you would think when you have an account set up with the shipping companies. Shipped a 24 foot boat to Aberdeen for 500 pounds. Be half that or less for one of the 12 foot ones.

 

[Biscuit1983]

there are quite a few alloy builders how do you expect to compete, ie delivery charges Etc.

Another thing im looking at is making a few, stacking them and sending them to dealers, many options. But the main one is to get the best product i can and go from there.

 

[Seastoke]

Another thing im looking at is making a few, stacking them and sending them to dealers, many options. But the main one is to get the best product i can and go from there.

Could you do a combo ie alloy trailer

 

[[70521]]

The French paint plenty of their aluminum boats.

Here is one that I really like - it's by JFA

That's not been my experience, but we are all different one of the joys of life.

https://www.allures.com/en/

Boreal Yachts : from the Tropics to extreme cold | Boreal Yachts

 

[Biscuit1983]

Could you do a combo ie alloy trailer

I looked into trailers, and when i say looked i looked at buying Engineered designs from an Australian trailer design company who specialise in this.
It was when i got to the Type approval stage the wheels fell off.
Each individual trailer model needs type approval, or individual vehicle approval. The cost of those things meant building them wasnt viable at a competitive rate.
What i have done instead is ive become a dealer for Indespension, and an outboard brand also, so will be offering the boats as a towaway package either locally or from Aberdeen Harbour.

 

[Laser310]

That's not been my experience, but we are all different one of the joys of life.

https://www.allures.com/en/

Boreal Yachts : from the Tropics to extreme cold | Boreal Yachts

The Boreal have been kind of a dream boat for me for a while...

If I were buying an aluminum yacht, I would definitely go for the more "expedition" type, rather than the luxury yacht type.., and of course they are mostly unpainted.

JFA are building boats for the top end of the luxury market. I sailed across the Atlantic on one of their (painted) aluminum boats. It was fantastic!