Black-Bottom Boat Experiences

[sixcampbells]

I think it's cute when people complain about black hull bottoms! Truth is if you aren't going to take care of it no matter the color it will look bad over time... darker colors just make it stand out quicker. Use your own discretion, but obviously you know where I stand in the subject!

So I am cute and I don’t take care of my stuff? Quite the opposite. It’s all personal preference my friend and I was just sharing my personal experience to lend to the conversation. Hopefully that’s the goal here.



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[core-rider]

So I am cute and I don’t take care of my stuff? Quite the opposite. It’s all personal preference my friend and I was just sharing my personal experience to lend to the conversation. Hopefully that’s the goal here.



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WOW... I can definitely tell it’s winter and you are wanting to get on the water with that kind of sensitivity! I wasn’t saying anything about you or the way you maintain your belongings. I was making a joke about how so many owners/potential owners of dark colored hulls stress so much over things they can’t avoid. Yes darker colors will show water spots, scratches, oxidation far easier and quicker than light colored hulls... that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy you boat, have it look good, or do nothing but clean it 24/7!

I’ve spent my fair share of time obsessing over the cleanliness of my boat... it’s NEVER clean enough!!! Once I took a step back and realized that my friends and I can enjoy my boat more without being quite so OCD, and still have one of the cleanest boats on the water I haven’t looked back!

Now... what I did say to you was use your own discretion. If you feel like the stress of keeping a darker color looking good isn’t worth it, get a lighter color... It’s that simple! If darker is what you want fine... that’s your choice, but just understand that it will show imperfections easier. It’s your choice and no one else’s to make! You came here asking for info to help you make a decision and a few of us have done that. Maybe my info was less than useful so hopefully my words above have made it more clear.

I have trailered my boat for 16 years... I also have the only all black boat on this forum to the very best of my knowledge, so I do believe my input to be useful on this particular topic. Yes it has scuffing on the bottom, but that vast majority of it can’t be seen while on the trailer simply because it’s covered by the very bunks that cause those scuffs. Any other time the water hides them. I have thought about in the past lifting the boat to polish those spots, but eventually didn’t because the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze! I do polish the now area as far aft as I can and that keeps me satisfied.


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[sixcampbells]

WOW... I can definitely tell it’s winter and you are wanting to get on the water with that kind of sensitivity! I wasn’t saying anything about you or the way you maintain your belongings. I was making a joke about how so many owners/potential owners of dark colored hulls stress so much over things they can’t avoid. Yes darker colors will show water spots, scratches, oxidation far easier and quicker than light colored hulls... that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy you boat, have it look good, or do nothing but clean it 24/7!

I’ve spent my fair share of time obsessing over the cleanliness of my boat... it’s NEVER clean enough!!! Once I took a step back and realized that my friends and I can enjoy my boat more without being quite so OCD, and still have one of the cleanest boats on the water I haven’t looked back!

Now... what I did say to you was use your own discretion. If you feel like the stress of keeping a darker color looking good isn’t worth it, get a lighter color... It’s that simple! If darker is what you want fine... that’s your choice, but just understand that it will show imperfections easier. It’s your choice and no one else’s to make! You came here asking for info to help you make a decision and a few of us have done that. Maybe my info was less than useful so hopefully my words above have made it more clear.

I have trailered my boat for 16 years... I also have the only all black boat on this forum to the very best of my knowledge, so I do believe my input to be useful on this particular topic. Yes it has scuffing on the bottom, but that vast majority of it can’t be seen while on the trailer simply because it’s covered by the very bunks that cause those scuffs. Any other time the water hides them. I have thought about in the past lifting the boat to polish those spots, but eventually didn’t because the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze! I do polish the now area as far aft as I can and that keeps me satisfied.


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Thanks for the reply. I stand corrected on your intent. Must be some anger left from watching my Seahawks lose tonight!

By the way this is not my post. I have had several G23 boats and went from white bottom to black and then back to white. That was my point - just sharing my personal experience for the person who started the post.

Have a good evening. No hard feelings here.


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[scottb7]

Darker the color the harder to maintain and keep looking clean. True of cars, true of boats. It also true that the darker the color the better it looks clean. IMHO.

[LakesideRec]

I have a pair of black-hulled SeaDoos. They take a lot of work to look good - all about wiping them down after each and every use (never going to happen with teenagers), and failing that, having the right chemicals to remove the water spots.

Another issue is that any and all dings and dock rash really shows up. Matching the black color when doing gelcoat repairs is not all that easy, either.

Finally, as the black plastic parts fade and oxidize, its really noticeable in contrast to the black gelcoat which stays nice and dark. So lots of plastic-care products needed for those parts.

[markj]

Thanks for the reply. I stand corrected on your intent. Must be some anger left from watching my Seahawks lose tonight!

By the way this is not my post. I have had several G23 boats and went from white bottom to black and then back to white. That was my point - just sharing my personal experience for the person who started the post.

Have a good evening. No hard feelings here.


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Well, at least you can now hop off the bandwagon, say good bye to that dumpster fire of a team and fully commit to rooting for a real team like the Niners. The Shehawks never had any business being in the playoffs anyway.

[sixcampbells]

Well, at least you can now hop off the bandwagon, say good bye to that dumpster fire of a team and fully commit to rooting for a real team like the Niners. The Shehawks never had any business being in the playoffs anyway.

The Niners are playing well. Best of luck making the run. Seahawks had a tough year but I will stay loyal. They have much work to do in the off season.



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[2016SPORTNAUTIQUE200]

I have a black bottom 2016 sport 200. I’m a little over the top and wax the bottom of the boat so it stays clean but also I put the trailer deeper in the water than most so I get the boat up against the bump stop where the strap is and then pull the boat out of the water so it doesn’t really touch the boards on the trailer until I pull it out of water which prevents scuffing. I also do the same when unloading the boat and push it off the trailer instead of reversing. Anyway, it’s my first black bottom boat and would not be scared to do another.


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[03SANTE]

I also have the only all black boat on this forum to the very best of my knowledge, so I do believe my input to be useful on this particular topic.


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Looks like there's two of us on this forum...same year and everything. (OK so I have the white stripe) I was sweating my decision to go to all black especially coming from all white. It really hasn't been as bad as I imagined.

I keep a bottle of Meguiars quick detail on the boat to wipe off the top at the end of the day and with a good spring waxing I don't worry about the sides so much. And below the water line...not too worried about it. I have done some gelcoat repairs of scratches from the prior owner and I'm pleased how well they turned out.

A true glutton for punishment I just picked up an old black waverunner covered with waterspots. 50/50 vinegar and they wiped right off.

Another thread discussed the risk of burning skin on the black top, fortunately the PA sun doesn't usually make that an issue.

At the end of the day I don't think it has been any worse than maintaining my old boat...and it sure looks nice when all shined up!

[NautiqueJeff]

The 2020 PlanetNautique G23 has a black hull, and so far, no issues. I love the look of a black hull.

[jjackkrash]

I talked to my dealer and he says they are now installing a roller to the Ski Nautique trailers to help reduce scuffing, especially on the chines on the hull that tend to rub when loading even under the best ramp conditions. So that is encouraging.

[jjackkrash]

I love the color scheme on that boat Jeff. I have something similar in mind.

[cselby]

I've got one and I wouldnt have it any other way. Probably keeps me even more motivated to keep it clean. Megiuars quick detailer or similar is good to have on hand. My only small complaint is what I assume to be chips from towing, they are very minor though. Everyone that sees our boat and doesn't know Nautiques can't believe that it's 17 years old.

[SteeleWake]

Our first boat had white hull, but since that have owned five boats with black bottoms and never regretted changing. We ride 3-5 days a week more or less year round, and we clean the boat thoroughly after each ride (we sell the boats each year or so with 500-700 hours so it has to look showroom haha). With all due respect to all opinions, I hear a lot that white is easier to keep clean. White hulls are only easier to pretend it is clean. The hulls are the same despite color so require the same effort to clean. I actually think black makes it easier to clean the boat as you can really easily see where you miss. Bunk rash can be managed as others have said and I honestly never noticed a difference between the white and black hull, they just show the rash a bit differently.

OH...and as many have said it just looks so **** good!!!

[jjackkrash]

With all due respect to all opinions, I hear a lot that white is easier to keep clean. White hulls are only easier to pretend it is clean. The hulls are the same despite color so require the same effort to clean. I actually think black makes it easier to clean the boat as you can really easily see where you miss. Bunk rash can be managed as others have said and I honestly never noticed a difference between the white and black hull, they just show the rash a bit differently.

This is a good point. My main concern is black showing the scuffs more on the bottom (which are tough to compound out without lifting the boat off the trailer), but from a dirt and scum standpoint, I keep my boats clean, waxed and spotless. I can't stand a dirty boat, inside or out.