How much does boat bottom paint cost?

Asked by: April Smith

Boat owners can expect to pay anywhere from $1000-$3000+ for a professional paint job on the bottom side of their boat.

How often should a boat be bottom painted?

once a year

In general, you should apply boat bottom paint once a year, however; some bottom paints can last for two years. If your boat is kept in the water or you use it regularly, you you have it checked annually to determine if it requires a new bottom paint coating.

Is boat bottom paint necessary?

It is not absolutely necessary for all boats to get the bottom of the hull painted with antifouling paints. For instance, if you do not keep your boat in the water for long periods of time, it is stored on a trailer, lift or dry storage facility, then you most likely do not need to paint the bottom of your boat.

What is the best paint to use for the bottom of a boat?

Your best bet here is to use a bottom paint that contains zinc or ECONEA as the biocide. Worthy of mention, is the specialty paint PropSpeed which contains no biocide at all. Instead, it is a super-slick coating that easily sheds marine growth.

How much is a gallon of bottom paint?

The average cost for the paint used for bottom painting a boat is usually between $100 and $150 per gallon.

How much does it cost to paint a 20 foot boat?

Bottom (antifouling) painting prices
That means you should set aside $300 to $800 for an average boat of 20 feet (6 m). However, that number can reach $2,000, sometimes even $5,000, depending on the boat size, the company you choose, paint quality, and possible bottom damage.

How long can a boat sit in the water without bottom paint?

I wouldn’t put a boat in the water for more than 2-3 days without bottom paint.

How many gallons of bottom paint do I need?

Bottom Paint Calculator

Does bottom paint slow a boat down?

There’s some debate about this but the consensus is, yes, bottom paint can slow your boat down. If your hull has a nice slick paint job then you may not notice much effect.

Is painting a boat hard?

Yes, painting a boat is a big, time-consuming job. Sure, it requires some expense. But remember, there’s no better way to make an older boat look new again than to give it a fresh paint job.

How much does it cost to bottom paint an 18 foot boat?

For a 17-18 foot boat, expect to pay a total of between $1,200 to $3,000 or more to bottom paint a boat. As with any important job, it may be best to drop the lowest estimate and go with a reputable business that will treat you and your boat well. Your dollars pay for materials, labor, and hauling, and storage fees.

How long does it take to bottom paint a boat?

Apply a minimum of two coats of Sea Hawk bottom paint. Allow 3 to 6 hours between coats and a minimum overnight dry before launching. See the specific Technical Data Sheet for the bottom paint you are using.

How many coats of antifouling do I need?

two coats

How many coats of antifouling are needed? Unless the boat is to be kept afloat for a period of only a few weeks, or local fouling conditions are very weak, at least two coats should be applied. Also apply a third coat around the waterline and edges of the rudder and keel of sailing boats.

Can you paint over old Antifoul?

If you are using the same antifoul as a previous season and the hull is in a good condition, free from fouling and loose antifoul, you can just give the hull a wash and dry then apply the new paint. (However, some antifouls do require a light wet-sanding first so always check the manufacturers’ paint manual).

Do you need to sand before antifouling?

Removal Method 1: Sanding
Take care that the primer under the antifouling is not damaged too severely and ensure you don’t sand it back to the substrate. With GRP vessels the coarse abrasive paper may scratch and damage the surface.