More Bottom paint advice

[sharkfighter]

I have an older 25ft MAKO (1987 Hull) that the bottom paint on the bottom is comming off and looks pretty bad. Rest of Gelcoat looks fine. I rarely keep the boat in the water overnight and trailer it a few miles to my local marina for day trips around the coast of GA.

I have a few options the best of course would be to remove the bottom paint and redo the bottom gelcoat but would be concerned about the cost.

Second one would be to paint the bottom myself which leads to a stupid question of how do i paint the bottom if it is on the trailer? The marina has a lift for putting the boat in and out but I can't see them letting me have it tied up that long for me to paint it and paint to dry. I know someone smarter then me will tell me some simple way to do it.

I could pay to have bottom paint redone I am sure but since I dont keep it in water is lower cost of bottom paint made up for by higher cost of having gel coat restored if i factor in loss of fuel efficiency and slower speed ?

Other option is to pretty much leave as is. When I boat with friends and it is in water you cant see the bottom paint of course and the ride to Marina on trailer is Short.

Being as I live in GA I boat all year long so no real winter layover and I hate not having the boat available on weekends. I try to get out about 50-75 days a year.

Thanks for any tips for a newbie to boats with bottom paint.

Rob

[tsherman02840]

Have the marina "pluck" the boat off the trailer with the lift and set it on blocks and stands for the day. Immediately power wash the bottom and remove any loose paint. Roll the new paint on with a roller with extension pole from front to back (not side to side). Brush it on in tough to get at areas. Use tape along the waterline to get a crisp edge. If you start early enough in the morning, you can put her back in the water same day. (If your going to put it back on the trailer, wait for it to thoroughly dry) Some brands of bottom paint are designed to be put in the water while still "wet". Hope this helps. You can always remove the existing bottom paint but that will involve a lot more time and money.

[capt. thunder]

I am doing it for the first time myself also. I finished the sanding yesterday. First get a heavy duty respirator, goggles, and coveralls with a hood. Layout a drop cloth to catch the dust and chips. You might have to block off the bottom with plastic to keep the dust inside.

Power wash first, then scrape off loose paint chips. I used a hand sander and and a sanding pole with attachment that allows the sandpaper (tapers use this to sand walls). Its much easier on the back and you can sand at a distance. My paint wasn't too bad, you might have to use an electric sander cause it's an older boat with more layers of paint. Use 80 grit sandpaper and get to work.

I at least look like I know what I am doing because I was asked twice yesterday if I was a professional and wanted some work . Guess what I told them .