What's the Best Color Scheme ?

[markpierce]

What's the best color scheme for a boat? I'm partial to Holland America's dark, blue hull and white superstructure scheme. Is there something better? Razzle-dazzle is probably too expensive.

[GordMay]

"There are only two colors to paint a boat, black or white; and only a fool would paint a boat black." ~ Nathanael G. Herreshoff

[rebel heart]

I love that quote about black and white.

Red bottom paint, (pure) white topsides and cabin top, painted pure white spruce spar, taupe canvas.

[shipofools]

As a multi, you got to paint the daggerboards and rudders SOLAS orange, so you can be seen in the mast down position.

TRIMARAN SAILBOAT PROBLEM - FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN

[capt_douglas]

I've always liked the dark blue hulls until I went aboard one. That dark color absorbs lots of heat, especially in the tropics and really shows the dirt.

I've seen blue, white, orange, yellow, green, gray, stripes, freehand, free spirited, and a few colors that aren't in the web safe color range. I prefer white over white.

[sarafina]

It depends on what colours the linens and china are....

[IdoraKeeper]

No matter the color--it's the bright work that matters... More bright work!! It helps you focus your attention on the boat cause, well if you don't it wont be very bright.

Todd

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by sarafina

It depends on what colours the linens and china are....

That is the most relevant answer because all the others are of even less validity. You paint the boat whatever colors you like. OpArt is also fine. I find white boats so boring.
- - The actual main reason for all the white boats is it is the cheapest color to make gelcoat. However, once the gelcoat is beyond restoring or polishing up or you have collected a major amount of gashes and scars, then painting is the only viable option. This is the time to express yourself. All the different colors are about the same price. Darker colors hide painting problems, scuffs and scum better than white. White paint shows everything and soon turns to chalk/flat finish under the relentless sun UV.

[hellosailor]

I believe the only boats that Holland America have are lifeboats and their color is "international orange". Their ships are another matter.

If you are Greek, you don't go to sea in a blue boat because blue is the color of the sea (Poseidon) and you don't want to make him jealous and angry at you.

And you don't use red bottom paint, because there's some debate that it prompts attacks by other sea life.

Other than that, have a good time.

[SabreKai]

I'm partial to a light grey. My boat was painted in container epoxy, and thats the color it came in. Sort of a light gull grey, and I've found its grown on me. I don't have a boot stripe but I think one day I'll put one on. Probably go with gloss black as my bottom paint is alos black. My previous boat was white or rather a scuffed up white, the one before that was dark blue, painted with spraybombs. Sort of blotchy. And she had a bone in her teeth. Comments about blue absorbing heat is very true. Ditto for dark brown decks. Bad idea. Colorful, looks great but a bad idea. The deck used to get hot enought to to be very painful for walking on.

Sabre

[sailorboy1]

you should it whatever color the whales can see

[Herbseesmoore]

somewhere between cream and yellow

that would look great on the topsides

[SaltyMonkey]

Red - ships will see you easier

[David M]

I like the look of a dark hull but they show every imperfection. White is traditional but boring. If and when I get my catamaran it will be painted a muted yellow. There is some color, but it does not show the imperfections nor absorb the heat

[Pelagic]

The heat factor of a darker hull is a consideration, but if your boat is well insulated it does not make a big difference and remember the hull is mostly vertical plate with overhangs from the rub rail, so gets less of the sun’s rays than either the deck or superstructure.

Other considerations:

• Dark gloss finish will show more imperfections than white gloss finish.
• From a distance, white will appear larger than for example dark blue , so color choice can either enhance a section or minimize it;s effect.
• Tinted Portholes in the hull, will blend in better with a darker hull color.

To illustrate, before my last paint job, I played with an all white paint scheme versus the original blue hull.

This was the visual difference, so I stayed with the original.

And as others have said...it is what makes you happy!