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Just started the process of stripping the hull of my 62 13ft Boston Whaler and was wondering if any of you experts had an opinion or advise to help this project along. Started out thinking that I would gel coat, but have been reading A LOT of info on other forums about gel coating vs paiting. Any opinions here??

I will need to do some fiberglass work first, and have no idea what in the heck I'm doing. Which brings me to my next question. Anybody want to help a brother out???? All the cold cold you can drink.

Chalk, I know you have some experience in boat building, so I'll hopefully be picking you brain throughout this ordeal. Sorry for the lengthy post, but I'm really gonna need some helpful advise to see this project through. This boat has been in my family for most of life, and I know that I will either pass it along to my girls or my nephews, so I want to do my best at restoring her. Thanks in advance for any advice offered!

New paints are a lot better than they used to be, especially the epoxy paints. Gel Coat is great, but it is a pain in the butt. When I redid my Ol' Pro, the guy I hired was a gel coat man. He did a good job, but I sure am glad it was him and not me!

To regel coat requires a lot of sanding...gelcoat is cured in a mold from the factory. To regel coat requires you to spray it with a wax that enables it to cure. It has a tendency to orange peel therefore you have to sand it to remove the orange peel.

To paint with a standard paint is easier with the application, but harder with maintenance. With gel coat you can fill a hole or knick easily, paint is harder to repair.

If you want to do it yourself look at System Three paints, they are water based paints that can be brushed or sprayed on...the guys at bateau2.com sell and recommend it. I am goin to use it in the cockpit of my wood boat. Using Interlux Perfection on the hull, only becasue they have the color premixed that I want to use.

Thank you men! Chalk, couldn't I use the Interlux Perfection for inside and outside of hull? I am going to paint it all the same color. Have you used this paint previously? If so, did you spray or brush?

With all that money ya'll have saved up, go pick up the one in Hahira. You are gonna kick yourself later if you don't.

What's in Hahra?

Yes you can use it for the whole boat - the S3 paint is water based and user friendly...the interlux is more a normal boat paint with thinners and reducers and such. I have not used either one...just from research those are the two I will use.

LuckySOB wrote:With all that money ya'll have saved up, go pick up the one in Hahira. You are gonna kick yourself later if you don't.

Marty, I saw a few of those "Hahira" Boats in Port St. Joe last weekend and wondered if you got it.....

Lucky SOB, Where are the pics of your new one ???? Did you get it yet ???

Chalk wrote:To regel coat requires a lot of sanding...gelcoat is cured in a mold from the factory. To regel coat requires you to spray it with a wax that enables it to cure. It has a tendency to orange peel therefore you have to sand it to remove the orange peel.

To paint with a standard paint is easier with the application, but harder with maintenance. With gel coat you can fill a hole or knick easily, paint is harder to repair.

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There is a gelcoat that does not require the curing agent. Gelcoats do reqire a special spraygun nozzle but they can be brushed.

Chalk, found a 04 186 Key West about a month ago in excellent condition in Hahira. Just not really ready to pull the trigger I guess.
Welby, I wish I would have known you were down there. We were there all week, and as you've read above I didn't fish out of a "new to me" boat.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'll try to keep you posted on progress.