I have an '87 Supra with a single-color gelcoated hull and deck (there are some accent colors on the deck, but I'm not concerend about that.) I want to change the entire color of the boat (excluding those deck accent colors.) I've heard that marine paint is easier to work with and still can result in a glassy high-gloss finish. The question I have is twofold: Can I use the same paint for the entire boat (above and below the waterline) if it's in freshwater? And secondly if not, is is feasible to have topcoat and bottom coat paints match with equal gloss and durability.
As a novice I appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Neil

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Is the boat kept on a trailer when not in actual use or kept in the water the whole boating season?

You are worried about bottom shine? Here's a little factoid you might never have guessed: the slicker the wetted surface the greater the through the water resistance. I'm not going into any lengthy explanation because you probably could care less...just think of the resistance of air vs that of water.

Opinion: I guess you could use the same paint if it's an important thing with you but there are abundant reasons they formulate specific bottom paints. Personally I'd never do it.

I'm still trying to figure out why you are worried about the cosmetic look of what's below the waterline. You must have some fairly discerning fish. :-)

BTW whoever said that painting a boat is easier...must have had somebody else do all the prep work which is 75% of the challenge of getting a good outcome.

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* Last updated by: SteveWatson on 7/29/2010 @ 7:01 AM *

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Hey Steve,
Thanks for your reply. Just to get the record straight..I'm not trying to impress the fish;It's a Mermaid I saw a few years back..... It's not so much the gloss that I was thinking of, but rather the color. As with a small boat which is a solid single color, I just was concerned about keeping things original. Plus, I've seen many boats with bottom paint that looked terrible while the boat was traveling below planing speed, so I guess there was a cosmetic concern.

However, you do make some great points and I'm now really thinking that I should just go ahead and use bottom paint. I have heard about the coefficient of friction for these paints and I think that may be a good way to go.

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