Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
I love a flag blue hull. Tell me I'm mad. Or obsessed with maintenance, or polishing, or what all else.
Talk me out of a blue hull...
- Thread starter Sticky Fingers
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VicS
Well-Known Member
Avoid dark blue. It fades It will require regular re-polishing .. Only red, or paint of course, is worse.
chinita
Well-Known Member
Every mark will show. Even when polished to death it will appear uneven. Once oxidised it is hard (and expensive) work sorting it. - and oxidisation is not uniform, and therefore requires different pressure, effort and technique. Blue is a soft pigment and will score and scratch easily.
But, go ahead. I am sure you will
But, go ahead. I am sure you will
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Unless you buy an old pre bankrupt version Maxi
They seem to have the best blue hulls
Or is it that the owners had to be so wealthy to buy them in the first place they could afford to have them professionally polished each year?
We have 2 at our marina & they look pristine
They seem to have the best blue hulls
Or is it that the owners had to be so wealthy to buy them in the first place they could afford to have them professionally polished each year?
We have 2 at our marina & they look pristine
Tam Lin
Well-Known Member
My Centaur has a blue hull which was chalky white. Nothing I did got rid of it, including wet and dry paper. It had been polished so much in the past that the gel coat had been polished through in a couple of patches. The only solution was to paint her. Lots of work, don't do it!
pvb
Well-Known Member
Yes, they look lovely. Make sure you choose one which also has a tired teak deck...
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Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
They look nicer from a distance than white and much worse close up. They are also hot because of the reflected UV from the water. I wouldn't do it again unless everything else was perfect. But painting is cheap and if done by a decent yard it's a long lasting job.
reginaldon
Well-Known Member
I will gladly talk you out of a dark blue hull - I want to remain one of the minority, although mine is 'painted' - horror, horror!
chrishelen
N/A
Blue would be good where my white hull operates, the hull turns yellow after a very short time. Oxalic makes short work to get it white again for five minutes.
doug748
Well-Known Member
Salt dries on it to mar the look as well.
Other than that, it looks the business. People stop to chat about it, tell you your boat is a showstopper, say they are having blue next time, etc.
Cost wise it is like fitting a second engine. Mine has had two Awlgrip resprays, c4k a pop and I am now looking at re-gelcoating in white. A lot of extra cash to find for assets that are bombing on the used market.
Other than that, it looks the business. People stop to chat about it, tell you your boat is a showstopper, say they are having blue next time, etc.
Cost wise it is like fitting a second engine. Mine has had two Awlgrip resprays, c4k a pop and I am now looking at re-gelcoating in white. A lot of extra cash to find for assets that are bombing on the used market.
KINGFISHER 9
Well-Known Member
A fair sized portion of my (motor) boat's hull is a rather delicate shade of cowshit brown ... or was, I should say ... faded to kingdom come in the strong Med sunshine. Was supposedly polished and waxed before I took delivery in November but didn't last a month (they lied, as brokers will) ... I'm considering getting it wrapped if I can find someone down this way who'll do it. Does wrap fade? I don't know. What's its life span if it doesn't get too much grief ... anyone know? How do costs compare with paint spraying?
Resolution
Well-Known Member
Doug
I thought Awlgrip was good for many years. Did something go wrong with the first respray? Is the boat in temperate waters or out in the blazing sun somewhere?
Just asking as my ageing dark blue hull is now getting near an Awlgrip type of moment.
Peter
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
We're spending some time this weekend looking at some boats that might fit the bill; two of them we're looking at this weekend have blue hulls, and one of those at least has been repainted in AWLGrip. I had believed that this product is very tough and long lasting but difficult to touch in if you get a scratch.
I may well do..! If I do, I want to do it with my eyes open to the potential problems....But, go ahead. I am sure you will
VO5
Well-Known Member
Blue hulls....spectacular always. I love them. But here in the Med they have a reputation for making for very hot boats in the sunshine. Also there is widespread talk of fading problems in strong sunlight. But there again, in cooler climes, perfect.
explores
Well-Known Member
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
Be a UK based boat so I'm more worried about frost damage than heat from blazing sunshine, or UV...!
VO5
Well-Known Member
Yep.
Oh ! Another thing...
I am told for blue hulls in particular it is better to fit fenders with socks rather than leave them uncovered. Much kinder to the hull surface, provided whatever else is in contact, is clean (free of grit).
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
This is one I'm looking at tomorrow. AWLGrip completed this year. Looks like a quality job based on the photo. Boat is approaching 20 years old.
VO5
Well-Known Member
She looks lovely.
Ripster
Well-Known Member
I had a motorboat with a black hull once and it was a nightmare, showed every mark and water drip when it dried. Looked nice all polished and cut back but fender marks were like beacons within weeks. I tried socks and covers but it made little difference. White only for me now and in future with some nice coloured strap lines to break it up a bit.
