Whether you have a 19' cuddy or a 38' cruiser, it seems like it's a 700' cruise ship when it comes time to paint the bottom. If you're bottom painting for the first time, there are a couple things to decide, whether you're doing it yourself or having it done by us. Would you rather spend less money now and more time or money on labor in the future, or invest a little more money now and save on labor later on? This will help determine the type of product you put on your boat, and how often you'll have to reapply it to keep doing what it should.

Keep in mind, bottom paint isn't just there for looks, it has a purpose. Some products are designed to "slough" off of the boat. Others have a property that leaches out of the paint but leaves the color. Just because you see the paint, that doesn't mean you don't need to paint again. There are single season paints, multi-season paints, hard paints, standard antifouling and teflon-based paints, etc. There are also several types of primers or undercoating's from which to choose.

If this isn't the first time the bottom is being painted, it's important to know what's on your boat now. Keep in mind that some products can be covered over, and some need to be sanded or stripped to start fresh with a different product. Switching brands, if the paint TYPE is the same, won't cause a problem. But even if you're staying with the same brand, a different TYPE of paint could mean stripping the existing product back to the fiberglass. We have manufacturer's product guides to help you determine what you'll need to do.

Make sure the hull is in good condition. Check for cracks or blistering in fiberglass, and seal seams on wood boats. Good prep work is 90% of any job, especially when it comes to bottom work. Do any necessary repairs, or have them done. Ignoring problems will only create worse damage and more expensive repairs later. If you're starting with a bare surface, sand the surface or use a "sandless primer" first to ensure good adhesion. Otherwise, the bottom will flake or peel. If you're working with a a previously painted surface, scuff the existing paint for good adhesion of the new paint. Pay particular attention to any areas where there is flaking or peeling. This is a sign of poor prep the first time, and will cause problems with the new paint if not prepped well this time around.

Using an undercoater is a good idea, whether you're painting new or older fiberglass. It will protect your new boat from water absorption, as well as seal your older boat's fiberglass. Even new fiberglass will allow absorption of water, so the best time to start using an undercoater for maximum protection is when the fiberglass is new.

The proper thickness is also a factor, both undercoater and bottom paint, if your boat is to be protected properly. Multiple thin coats of paint are better than one thick coat. Skimping on the number of coats, or adding too much thinner to "stretch" the paint won't save you money. Follow manufacturers' instructions for application, and the product will do what it's supposed to, for as long as it's supposed to. Otherwise, you'll just be doing the job again sooner and spending more time and money than you saved by shortcutting, or your boat won't be getting the protection it should.

When choosing a bottom paint system, consider price and labor, then decide whether you prefer a more expensive product that saves labor and works better or longer, or a less expensive product that will not last as long or protect your boat as well.

To help determine when it's time to repaint, use a different color for your first coat of paint. Then do the color you want. When the color under it starts to show through, you'll know you're down to the last coat and it's time to repaint.