Brian Perry
Perry’s Boat Repair, Portland, CT
Proper boat painting begins long before the spray gun comes out: roughly 80 percent of a successful paint job is preparation. Many owners try to save money by handling prep themselves, and in some cases that can be a smart way to reduce cost. However, hull filling and fairing require care and experience to get smooth, long-lasting results. On older boats you may need to lay fiberglass mat over crazed gelcoat to prevent the crazing from showing through the new paint. Equally important is using the paint and finishing products recommended by the paint manufacturer and following their directions exactly—temperature, mixing ratios, and cure times all matter for adhesion and durability.
Materials alone for painting a 40-foot boat typically run around $3,000, so skimping on good filler or correct materials to save a little money up front is usually a false economy. My preferred workflow is to do the bulk of the surface preparation and apply the first coat of primer in the fall, then let the boat sit through the winter. When we spray outside at Portland Riverside Marina, a do-it-yourself yard, spring is the best time to complete the paint job: there’s no pollen, fewer insects, and the sun is not as intense, which helps achieve a consistent finish and reduce contamination. In many cases the work can be finished in early spring under those favorable conditions.
Andrew R. Werwaiss
Derecktor Robinhood, Georgetown, ME
Our lead painter has more than 35 years of experience, and the quality and longevity of our paint work are among our strongest forms of advertising. Because of that, we prefer to handle all preparation and finishing in-house to ensure consistent outcomes. Removing and reinstalling deck hardware isn’t as simple as most people think: fastenings can seize, backing pads and sealants matter, and reinstalling hardware without scratching or damaging fresh paint takes care and skill. For that reason we don’t allow owners to de-wax, sand, or attempt taping on their own; even small mistakes during prep can compromise the final finish.
To protect a new paint job long-term we recommend using fender covers—something we provide at no extra cost on all paint jobs—and keeping the boat in indoor storage if possible. If indoor storage isn’t available, keep any cover elevated from the hull to reduce chafe and avoid concentrated wear where the cover overlaps paint. Regular maintenance also helps preserve the finish: waxing both in the fall and again in the spring is a simple, effective step, especially when the boat is kept outside.
Scott Murray
Safe Harbor New England Boatworks, Portsmouth, RI
There’s a practical division between owner tasks and professional trade work. Removing deck hardware and rubrails is usually straightforward for an owner and can save money, because it’s repetitive, labor-intensive work that typically requires two people. When reinstalling hardware, use new fastenings rather than trying to reuse old hardware—the time spent cleaning and reconditioning old fastenings rarely pays off. However, taping, sanding, fairing, and feathering should be left to experienced painters. Professionals earn their rates because they can deliver a smooth, defect-free finish reliably.
Warranty considerations are another key reason to leave certain jobs to the yard. Most yards guarantee only the work their crews perform; if an owner performs part of the prep, that can create ambiguity about responsibility for any subsequent problems. The same applies to paint manufacturers’ warranties: if products are not applied within the manufacturer’s specified conditions and procedures, warranty coverage may be voided. For these reasons, the best outcome is usually achieved when you let the paint crew complete the prep and finish without owner interference.
Balancing cost savings with long-term value is the practical approach: do the simpler, time-consuming tasks you can manage—like removing hardware—and leave specialized, warranty-sensitive work such as sanding, filling, and painting to professionals. Following manufacturer recommendations, protecting the finish with covers and seasonal waxing, and choosing the right timing for exterior painting will all contribute to a durable, attractive marine paint job.
This article originally appeared in the October 2019 issue.