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Greenhand · 21-07-2014, 13:55

For the past two months, taking care of our new boat has been my full time job and I have put in a lot of overtime. This morning, we dropped her off at the boatyard for bottom paint and I am feeling lost.

I guess it is time to look for a paying job

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MarkJ · 21-07-2014, 14:08

I have ever only had mine painted by others once.
I stood right beside them every minute of the day.

Whilst doing the second coat a friend walked past and I went over and had a chat for 5 minutes. When I came back I thought the paiter must have been going very well because he looked much further on than I thought!

Now when I swim I see that patch underwater. Its overgrown with growth!

So when you deliver your boat into the hands of "professionals" deliver yourself a chair and sit down and watch every move they make. And make sure they see you watching them

onestepcsy37 · 21-07-2014, 14:20

I'll second that. Had a similar experience years ago in an excellent boat yard but with a contractor painter. Got to watch them like a hawk...

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sailorboy1 · 21-07-2014, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhand

For the past two months, taking care of our new boat has been my full time job and I have put in a lot of overtime. This morning, we dropped her off at the boatyard for bottom paint and I am feeling lost.

I guess it is time to look for a paying job

Must be nice to be able to drop off your boat to have someone else bottom paint it, WITHOUT even having a paying job!!!!!!!!!!!

Greenhand · 21-07-2014, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Must be nice to be able to drop off your boat to have someone else bottom paint it, WITHOUT even having a paying job!!!!!!!!!!!

The DIY yard is $100/ day for our length and while I am still figuring things out, it might take me close to two weeks to fill, fair and paint. Next time, the other half of we will probably take some vacation time and we will work on it together.

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**Ex-Calif** · 21-07-2014, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhand

The DIY yard is $100/ day for our length and while I am still figuring things out, it might take me close to two weeks to fill, fair and paint. Next time, the other half of we will probably take some vacation time and we will work on it together.

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Bottom painting is one of the easiest jobs on the boat - but one of the most laborious and dirty.

It took two of us a full day to sand my 26 footer. I see the 40 foot guys with crews of 4 take two weekends to do it.

It's worth it to pay someone to sand it and I'll do the easy part - rolling the paint on!

Jd1 · 21-07-2014, 17:10

What is actually involved in a bottom job other than the actual painting - is it not just a case of scraping off anything loose, covering any scraped areas with fairing compound and then taking a right angle grinder/sander and go over every inch of the hull to assure adhesion?

I have seen people fuss over the bottom in order to get everything totally smooth but is that really necessary? Sure, if you are racing you want the hull to be a mirror finish but how much difference in speed does the average cruiser see between a basic job and a mirror finish job ?

I can see taking a lot of material off to get close to the hull to be a big pain but just to rough things up?
Dry sanding is only allowed here if the boat is completely tarped but wet sanding is allowed without a complete enclosure. How is wet sanding done without electrocuting yourself - is that a special machine ?

mbianka · 21-07-2014, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Bottom painting is one of the easiest jobs on the boat - but one of the most laborious and dirty.

It took two of us a full day to sand my 26 footer. I see the 40 foot guys with crews of 4 take two weekends to do it.

It's worth it to pay someone to sand it and I'll do the easy part - rolling the paint on!

My boatyard won't let you bottom paint the boat and if they don't paint it they still charge you $250 for doing nothing

Though as I've gotten older I have gotten use to the idea of shelling out the bucks. Though one year they hired an energetic Latino kid who nervously came up to me to say mine was the first boat he had painted. It was later I found out he had painted over my ground plate the one the has the words "DO NOT PAINT" inscribed on it!

Now I make sure one of the co-owners of the yard is involved with the painting.

NorthernSeaWolf · 21-07-2014, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Must be nice to be able to drop off your boat to have someone else bottom paint it, WITHOUT even having a paying job!!!!!!!!!!!

I need to start a new thread.... "Boat-bitch looking for sponsorship"

Greenhand · 21-07-2014, 17:58

I prefer the term "professional boat babe".

We have saved thousands by doing the work ourselves, and because the boat will be ready just before our current lease is up, we will be saving land rent soon.

I just need to go back to work soon to build the cruising kitty so that he can enjoy the sweet life sooner

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NorthernSeaWolf · 21-07-2014, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhand

I prefer the term "professional boat babe"

That may work for yourself, but I should probably be more honest in my marketing and stick with "boat-bitch"

markpierce · 21-07-2014, 18:20

As a senior citizen, I don't feel guilt when hiring others to work on my boat. And it contributes to the economy!

**JPA Cate** · 22-07-2014, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I have ever only had mine painted by others once.
I stood right beside them every minute of the day.

Whilst doing the second coat a friend walked past and I went over and had a chat for 5 minutes. When I came back I thought the paiter must have been going very well because he looked much further on than I thought!

Now when I swim I see that patch underwater. Its overgrown with growth!

So when you deliver your boat into the hands of "professionals" deliver yourself a chair and sit down and watch every move they make. And make sure they see you watching them

Mark,

This is right about many boat jobs. If you take 'em cookies, beers, or lemonade, they'll let you hang around and learn stuff off of 'em. For someone who is still in the steep part of the learning curve, it is valuable tactic. It's about showing personal concerns for their working conditions, and making their shop momentarily a happier place for all of you to be.

Ann