Hull Color and Fading

[CCool]

Hey guys/gals,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm trying to put together my game plan for a boat in the next season or two and I have a question about hull color.

I love the colored hulls, black included. My concern is fading. I'm not 100% sure but I think I'm going to buy a boat slip at my local lake (15 minutes from my house) because I don't have room for boat at my house (I'm thinking a G23 cuz it seems like it checks every box and I'll end up buying one eventually so why not just get the right one to start?). This will allow me to jam to the lake after work during the season and get more time in regularly since I won't have to pickup from storage, trailer to lake and launch/pickup every time I use it. With this plan, I'd have the boat sitting in water most days from May through September. That's 5-6 months in water annually. There are no lift options at this marina so it's either tow or boat slip.

Am I doomed to have major fading issues if I got with a non all white boat? Is there anything I can do to get the convenience of boat slip and awesome colors without sacrificing my color vibrance over time?

I'm open to any suggestions you all might have. I live close enough to the lake that I can make regular trips to the marina to work on brushing/scrubbing/etc. if that would help.

Thanks in advance!


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[ScooterMcgavin]

Colors will fade when exposed in the sun for long periods of time that's for sure, but can be buffed back out. How about a waterline cover or skirts that tuck under factory cover? Those cover the hull and protect from fading and pretty popular.

[CCool]

Ok so it's the sun exposure (not water) that I need to be worried about?


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[charlesml3]

With this plan, I'd have the boat sitting in water most days from May through September. That's 5-6 months in water annually. There are no lift options at this marina so it's either tow or boat slip.

Am I doomed to have major fading issues if I got with a non all white boat? Is there anything I can do to get the convenience of boat slip and awesome colors without sacrificing my color vibrance over time?

Fading won't be your biggest problem. Having that boat sit in the water for 6 months will. To be blunt, you should really look for another option. I don't care what kind of boat it is, floating in the water is ROUGH on a boat.

-Charles

[ScooterMcgavin]

Ok so it's the sun exposure (not water) that I need to be worried about?


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It's the water too. The sun will reflect off the water onto the hull.

[Nautiquehunter]

Its the sun the water the rain the dirt not to mention spiders and varmints. The quickest way to age the boat is to put it in a slip in the water.

[charlesml3]

Its the sun the water the rain the dirt not to mention spiders and varmints. The quickest way to age the boat is to put it in a slip in the water.

Yep. The other problem with it sitting in the water is the boat just never gets a chance to dry. It's always in a humid environment. There's always water in the bilge. I've yet to see a boat cover that's really waterproof so the vinyl stays damp.

[CCool]

Yikes- sounds like my hassle free dream is a bust.

On the bright side, now I can get all the color I want!

Thanks all for the feedback!


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[Blamey]

You can't get slip with a lift?

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[CCool]

Not that I know of. They're just regular marina spots, not like a private slip behind a house or something but maybe they have another option that I'm not aware of. I'll have to dig a little deeper. If they do then the next question is whether they have a lift that can handle a G. Good food for thought.


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[charlesml3]

Yikes- sounds like my hassle free dream is a bust.

Ha! ha! The words "boat" and "hassle free" simply cannot be in the same sentence. Don't get me wrong, I love 'em and I've owned one boat or another for more than 30 years now, but no, there's nothing "hassle free" about boating.

-Charles

[CCool]

Hehe I believe you, I guess the key is to embrace the hassle!


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[Wildcat04]

Most of the marinas around here will let you install your own lift in their slips. I’m sure that varies at every lake though.


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[homer12]

Look and ask about floating lift options. As for the hassle, yes embrace it and be anal about taking care of your boat and it will treat you well in return for many years. Ride it hard and putting away wet will yield more depreciation and mechanical problems.


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[CCool]

Got it, thanks for all the tips!


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