Remove bottom paint ?? or not

[csm]

Hello all,
I'm going to look at (and hopefully buy) an 03 X this weekend. It has been slipped for 2-3 years, but more recently trailer kept. The seller says the bottom has been powerwashed and the bottom paint is in great shape, but from the pictures he sent me (not the best pictures) that doesn't seen to be the case. Anyhow, I'm planning to trailer store only and was wondering if the bottom paint can be removed and what the gelcoat will look like. I'm pretty handy and can deal with most structural and cosmetic issues, but don't want to mess around with anything below the waterline. What should one look for in checking the centerboard locker and overall condition of the bottom?
thanks in advance.
Chris

[Night Sailor]

If the paint is removed you can expect to find the gelcoat sanded all over with 60 to 80 grit sandpaper so it is full of tiny, deep scratches. They have do it to help the pain adhere to the original gelcoat.

[kmclemore]

If the paint is removed you can expect to find the gelcoat sanded all over with 60 to 80 grit sandpaper so it is full of tiny, deep scratches. They have do it to help the pain adhere to the original gelcoat.

Now there's a Freudian slip for ya.

[Night Sailor]

Bottom paint, bottom pain, what's the difference?????

[Highlander]

Yep sounds to me like a pain in the Butt ! To me

J

[csm]

I've heard it said, that "once you go black you'll never go back"; is it safe to assume they're referring to bottom paint?

[Hardcrab]

An 03 X???
Is this a typo or does such an animal exist?

[Hamin' X]

I believe that MacGregor changes it's model year in June, so the the last few runs of the 26X were designated as 2003 models, as the 26M was introduced later in 2003. Mike Inmon will probably set us straight, if I am wrong.

~Rich

[kmclemore]

I've heard it said, that "once you go black you'll never go back"; is it safe to assume they're referring to bottom paint?

I think for bottom paint it's "Once you go blue, there's always lots to do!"

[mackatt68]

If it was done by the book, there should be several layers of barrier coat between the bottom paint and the gelcoat. My 26X had ablative bottom paint when I bought it used, so every few years, I rough it up with a 3M green pad and roller on another coat or two. It's in slip on the Illinios river and slime build up is more of an issue than anything else

[vkmaynard]

I used a paint scraper to carfully remove the bottom paint on our X. Scary but it worked the best with no damage.

Now the boat stays on the trailer and soon our lift.

VIctor

[K9Kampers]

I've heard it said, that "once you go black you'll never go back"; is it safe to assume they're referring to bottom paint?

I think for bottom paint it's "Once you go blue, there's always lots to do!"

Leave it white, and go like greased light - ning!!

[Doug W]

seriously though, which is more beneficial? Bottom paint or factory gelcoat? I've never had bottom paint on my previous boats. I was looking at a sailboat (san juan) with black bottom paint, It looked good on the trailer at a distance but up close, it was thick and not smooth--seems like it'd add some friction.

I will be sailing primarily in midwestern lakes and will rarely leave the boat in the water more than a few days at a time. I must admit that the blue hull M with blacked bottom sure looks good...

[bubba]

We have bottom paint on our M and it is nice after 2.5 months of being in the Columbia river we took it out yesterday and the rudders and motor had some growth but not the bottom painted area. It sails great no speed difference we can tell. I did add polly strips to our trailer to help the Mac bump and it is much easier loading the trailer now.

[c130king]

seriously though, which is more beneficial? Bottom paint or factory gelcoat? I've never had bottom paint on my previous boats. I was looking at a sailboat (san juan) with black bottom paint, It looked good on the trailer at a distance but up close, it was thick and not smooth--seems like it'd add some friction.

When I bought my boat it had a "bottom paint" on it. It also seemed "thick and not smooth" to me...kinda/sorta the texture of a football (American football, not European football).

In 2007 I trailered to Norfolk, VA for a year and kept the boat in a slip for about 9 weeks. When it came out it had quite a collection of growth/critters on it...what's up with that

Turns out that not all "bottom paints" are the same. I called my PO and he said I have 4 x coats of "barrier paint"...not "anti-fouling paint". That may be what is on that San Juan. I guess this barrier paint prevents water getting to the gelcoat and prevents the formation of blisters.

Unforutantely I can't access photobucket at work so I can't post pictures here.

I think if you plan on keeping the boat in the water you need to consider some sort of anti-fouling paint...but I believe many have no paint job if they keep their boats on a trailer.

Cheers,
Jim