paint for speed boat --- newbe ---

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desmond

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I have just got my first boat, ok so its only a small fletcher 16ft speed boat with 80hp mariner outboard.
I got the boat very cheap as the previous owner had tried to paint the hull and had only got half way and couln't be bothered to finnish it.
My question is what type of paint is best for this fibreglass boat.
I assume I can use standard 2 pack paint (I have all the gear) BUT I have been told that a rough bottom /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif can be a good idea as it breaks the water surface tensaion and gets the boat up on plane easier.

Is this true ?

if so what would I use to get the rough hull finnish.

I'm no stranger to re-spraying cars and fibre glass bodykits but I'd be great to have some advise from real boat peeps.

thanks
 
You should be OK with an International 2-pack epoxy. I used it for my first boat. Don't worry about smooth / rough bottoms on a boat like yours, it won't make any difference that you would notice. A rough bottom would actually slow you down.

It's more important to make sure that the engine is professionally serviced and reliable and that all the boat's gear is of good servicable quality. Also, make sure you have a lifejacket for each person on board, an anchor with chain and plenty (100 foot) of rope, some flares - and don't forget to get some professional tuition.

So many people put out to sea without anything looking like safety. Don't be one of them. The enjoyment of a boat is increased, not diminished, by the addition of safety equipment.

Let us know how you get on, and good luck!
 
One of my first boats was a Fletcher 159 with a
Chrysler 35
In those days I had a bungalow by the sea in Greatstone Kent
I used to leave late on Friday, kids would sleep in the car.
Saturday they would wake up by the sea.
It seemed to take most of the day extracting the boat from
the garage, preparing it and launching. 10 gallons seemed to
go in no time and by then the tide had gone out half a mile
We had a two speed winch mounted on the beach for recovery
It took about 10 minutes to take up the slack!
Then about half an hour to bring her up to the shingle bank
After that it was into low gear for the final bit. Phew, makes me
sweat just thinking about it!
After that it needed a good hose down, engine run in dustbin
Aahhh! Those were the days

Anyway do not let me put you off I DID enjoy it all

Regards Briani
 
That takes me back. I had one of the same many moons ago. On reflection I had more fun in that than I do with my current boat. Mine was in a really really nasty mustard colour gel coat. Time had taken its toll and it looked like dioreah after a night on the curry. In short bloody horrible.
One winter I bit the bullet and went to the local car paint factors and bought a couple of litres of metal flake blue. I stripped the boat back to the bear moulding. prepared it and with liberal doses of air dry activator sprayed the base coat. When I applied the top laquer it looked amazing.
After half a seasons use the laquer had flaked off the hull and it looked fairly nasty.

A weekends work rubbing down and respraying in a flat blue had things back to a presentable finish. I run that boat for just three years before I sold it for more than I bought it for. The only prob I had with it was the carbs on the straight six 115 merc were worn. The engine was an old blue band lump of the 70's so spares were still around but not cheap.

Paint that boat of yours and enjoy it. Don't rush to get a bigger boat if the bug bites. Theres a lot to be said for keeping things simple. I had loads of fun with my old Fletcher. Theres been times recently when I wished I'd never got rid of it. They're good boats with great hulls. Enjoy it and be safe.
 
Re: fab physics

um, i would be fairly sure that the surface tension is pretty much broken and busted by a fast powerboat, regardless of the paint finish, and anyway - why not keep the surface tension which wd allow wizzy skating about like those little flies on the rivers? However, this wd only work if your boat was as light as the same area covered with the little flies, and the paint alone probably weighs more. Sorry!
 
Hi thanks for the Advise guys I'll take at look at International paints web site.

Also if I use two pack I'll stick to a flat paint I don't want the laquer comming off.

I'm in the process of collecting as much saftey gear as I can now.
I've just ordered some crewsaver life jackets and I've got plenty of rope .and an anchor....the flare gun is a good idea I hadn't thought of that one....I'll get one.

The engine is going to get a full service and I've got a good friend whos been boating for years who's going to show me the ropes and come out with me the first few times I go out.

I've been studying the 'rules of the road' so to speak and getting my wife to test me.

thanks for the advise
 
incedently this is my boat
Dscf0001.jpg

thats my dad in the background..
Dscf0002.jpg

I bought it for £1100 .....was it a good deal ...I've no idea...
 
Wasn't bad, all the money in sports boats of that age is in the engine. Take that off and its next to nothing!
Check the bearings on the trailer tho!
 
Ah, now that takes me back. We started off with a Fletcher too, and like Barry says, some days I wish I still had her. That boat will be a hoot. Once she's painted, just use standard vinyl striping tape to finish her off.

Save up a few bob and put a stainless prop on when you can afford one, and a DoelFin or similar hydrofoil, and it will go like stink.

Boat%20No%202%20Wysiwyg.jpg
 
I was bidding on a set of doelfin's on ebay but got outbid at the last moment...doh.

what difference will a stainless prop make ??

I've got new hubs and wheels for the trailer so they'll be no problem.
 
Hi Desmond, the prop thing is all about performance...but BEWARE!!! Ali props, when they hit something smash to bits, but save your drive mechanism from catastrophic damage. Stainless props perform better as a rule but if you strike a submerged object you will damage the drive train. And boy, are they expensive.

Err, so are stainless props at approx £400 a go!
 
Nah, Dave. More like £200 for a stainless for an 80hp outboard, and a lot less from a boat jumble. The difference is worth it, IMO

If you want hideous prices, then look at Volvo duoprops in stainless... Or better still, ask Col. BTW, are two sets of A6's any good to you?

As for the Doelfin, most swindlers stock them or the equivalents, and they're about £35. They'll pop the boat up on the plane much faster.
 
Agree on the dolphin. I had one on my shakespear, and it does what it says on the box!

Yeah, youre prob right on price of props. Still knackers yer transmission if you ding it though!

I well know the price of a pair of Volvo DP's!!! and thanks for the offer but mine are B4's (I think??)
 
mmmm maybe I'll wait till I've got a bit of boat handling experience before getting a stainless prop then...

nice to hear the doelfins are the real deal and not a gimmic, I'll defo get a pair.
 
[ QUOTE ]
"Besides, just don't hit anything"

[/ QUOTE ]
I spose that IS a better idea.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ....I'll still wait till I've had a bit of experience trying to spot submerged hazards.
 
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