NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

Boating => Boating General Discussions => Topic started by: rugman on January 16, 2008, 09:06:29 AM

Title: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: rugman on January 16, 2008, 09:06:29 AM
 for a few years i start getting my boat ready for the spring stripers . I start fishing up by the tapen zee. It is around the end of April.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: mboy on January 16, 2008, 09:11:38 AM
Can't put mine in until May 1, so I will start doing the work 2nd and 3rd weekends in April.

Write that down Duffman, Young Gull and Luna Sea :)

This should be my last year of doing A LOT of work.

Too much to do.
Install Trim tabs, flush mount vhf radio and connect to GPS (and neaten all wires), Fuel flo gauge, trim gauge, possible water pressure gauge, move oil tank over a little, install 2nd battery with combiner, detail :(
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 16, 2008, 09:21:20 AM
I will start right after we get a week of fairly warm weather.  Usually sometime near the middle to end of March. 

Then, it's down to the boat, give the bottom a once over to remove anything the power washing may have missed, scrape loose bottom paint then paint the bottom.  Change zincs and splash boat. 
Over the past year I developed a soft spot in my deck.  I need that fixed before the boat gets dunked.  Everything else can be done in the water.

Metal work gets polished and inside of boat gets a good scrubbing.  All lights are checked for operation and everything gets put back onthe boat.   t^
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 16, 2008, 10:35:44 AM
I work on mine in March to be in the water by the first week of April.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: mboy on January 16, 2008, 10:58:17 AM
I work on mine in March to be in the water by the first week of April.

When we eventually buy a house and I can store the boat there, I may start work as early as Jan :)
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 16, 2008, 11:02:28 AM
Yup, you can get a lot of odds and ends done when the boat is at home.  I wish mine were at my house to do some things on it.

Don't matter where it is to paint it though, you still need the warmer weather that March and April bring on.   TT^
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: mboy on January 16, 2008, 11:05:20 AM
Speaking of which, how do you piant bottom when on trailer?

Do you wait for 1st run to dry, then move boat around so you can get to bottom that was not accessible?
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 16, 2008, 11:34:50 AM
I can only assume that you are correct in that thinking Mike.  My boat goes on blocks in my marina's yard.  I don't have a trailer, wish I did.  That does sound like a reasonable way to do it though.

With mine on blocks, I paint what I can and when it is put on the fork lift or in the sling, I get to touch up what was missed.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: mboy on January 16, 2008, 11:38:25 AM
Yep, my marina is painting this year, but if all it really is, is just touching up previous year and not sanding and reapplying entire bottom, then I may do myself next year, trailer or not.
Marina got me close to 600 to paint this year and don't think I need to pay that much if it is just touching up, no sanding.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 16, 2008, 11:56:38 AM
Mike, I told you... The bottom painting is easy, I do mine every year.  I Jack the boat off the rollers and paint where the rollers lay, very easy.  1 gallon of all season paint at $100.00 can do both our boats with leftover for next season.  Save the money.  This is one of the easiest things you can do yourself.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: eagleyankfan on January 16, 2008, 12:29:43 PM
I target earlier April.  I mostly trailer the boat though.

Painting the bottom on your own, I normally let the marina do it but more then willing to do it on my own, but wasn't sure what do to. 

LS3, what do you do to preb before painting?(powerwash?)
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 16, 2008, 12:33:10 PM
strong power wash, I have a 3800 psi washer at home I use...  Use Mary Kate cleaner to get the water line off the boat.  Tape off the bottom, then paint away..  I also spray my trim tabs with antifoulant paint..
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: mboy on January 16, 2008, 12:45:16 PM
strong power wash, I have a 3800 psi washer at home I use...  Use Mary Kate cleaner to get the water line off the boat.  Tape off the bottom, then paint away..  I also spray my trim tabs with antifoulant paint..

What paint do you use for that nick and what prep did you do for original coat and what for following seasons. I have to paint my new tabs too.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 16, 2008, 01:11:12 PM
Mike, I have been using the same paint I use to paint the bottom for my tabs.  Been doing it for 14 years now and have never had a problem.  Don't forget to put zincs on the tabs before you paint the tabs and DON'T paint the zincs.  The tabs under the zincs should be paint free also.

To prep, my boat is power washed when it is hauled.  I try to remove anything that is missed by the power washer (around the transducers, motor, etc) while it is still wet at haul-out.  In the spring it is just a once over to get anything from the winter off, scrap any loose bottom paint, prime any bald spots, tape off water line, then roll on a new coat of ablative paint. Touch up anything with a cheapy throw away brush.  t^
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: eagleyankfan on January 16, 2008, 01:12:41 PM
strong power wash, I have a 3800 psi washer at home I use...  Use Mary Kate cleaner to get the water line off the boat.  Tape off the bottom, then paint away..  I also spray my trim tabs with antifoulant paint..

Thanks.  I think I will actually do it this year. 
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: rugman on January 16, 2008, 01:26:08 PM
Is it true , useing a power washer will take off the clear coat?
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 16, 2008, 01:33:16 PM
I use the power washer in it's spray mode.  I would imagine if you put it on it's pin point setting you might do some type of damage, but don't know.  In the spray mode, I haven't had any issues.   t^
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: mboy on January 16, 2008, 01:44:28 PM
Thanks Joe. I am just not sure If I am going to get the tabs on the boat before they paint the bottom. If I do, then they can paint the tabs :)

I do have the R3 rudder zincs already for the tabs.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 16, 2008, 01:45:30 PM
 t^
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 16, 2008, 01:49:49 PM
Mike, besides the powerwash and a good wire brushing where needed, the prep work is easy...  I have an multi season paint on it, so all I do is put a very light coat on the following season.  After about 4 seasons, I will get it professionally sand blasted and then start over.  I don't have the name of the paint on me, its in my garage, but like i said, 1 gallon and we are both done for the season, all for about $100.00 total..
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: bassnblues on January 16, 2008, 01:52:58 PM
I will get it professionally sand blasted and then start over.

Does sandblasting completely remove the paint?
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 16, 2008, 02:32:19 PM
After about 4 seasons, I will get it professionally sand blasted and then start over. 

Nick, that is why I use the ablative paint.  It comes off as you are running to keep the bottom clean.  Thus, no big paint build up over the years.  I have been told that it would last a couple of years, but I paint every year anyway. 

Some people who use the ablative will put two coats on, different colors.  When you can see thru the top color you know it is time to re-paint.  I just paint every year and that works for me.   t^
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: eagleyankfan on January 16, 2008, 02:34:23 PM
no you have me thinking.  It's been awhile since it was last painted.  The last 2 years it was trailered.  Maybe I should have it done by the pro's one more time.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 16, 2008, 03:23:42 PM
as long as its outlined, no need for a pro to do it..
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 16, 2008, 03:24:25 PM
After about 4 seasons, I will get it professionally sand blasted and then start over. 

Nick, that is why I use the ablative paint.  It comes off as you are running to keep the bottom clean.  Thus, no big paint build up over the years.  I have been told that it would last a couple of years, but I paint every year anyway. 

Some people who use the ablative will put two coats on, different colors.  When you can see thru the top color you know it is time to re-paint.  I just paint every year and that works for me.   t^
t^
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: miller-time on January 17, 2008, 07:48:51 PM
We want to start by early April to have the boat ready by early May. This year we would like to chase some drum in the Delaware Bay. They start in mid-May.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 17, 2008, 07:52:44 PM
I will get it professionally sand blasted and then start over.

Does sandblasting completely remove the paint?
yes..
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: SouthPaw on January 17, 2008, 08:07:52 PM
Bottom painting on the trailer can be very messy. I rolled my boat off the trailer and onto blocks before painting. Way too many rollers in the way. Plus didn't want the trailer looking like it got bottom painted also. ;)
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 18, 2008, 10:05:15 AM
I was able to do mine just fine.. Just have to have a large 5 ton jack to make life easier...  There is no way in hell I will be able to roll my boat off the trailer onto block... 1 slip and your screwed big time..
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: fishin mission on January 26, 2008, 04:46:37 PM
What kind of paint do most guys use for trim tabs?  I have never painted mine before and want to start.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 26, 2008, 05:09:35 PM
I have been using the same paint that I use for the bottom.  Fourteen years now, and no problems.   t^
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 26, 2008, 09:15:15 PM
they sell a transducer spray paint for the Tabs.. works great.
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: rugman on January 26, 2008, 09:31:07 PM
 ;D ;D ;Dthree pages and the rugman started this chrz chrz chrz chrz
Title: Re: what time of the year do you guys start getting the boat ready ?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 26, 2008, 09:31:59 PM
and it will get more action when the weather breaks..