Painting your boat to keep its color fresh is essential to prolonging the duration and livelihood of the vessel. Boating is usually relaxing and enjoyable, but operating a boat that is in subpar condition can add an unwelcome layer of anxiety. Saltwater and UV rays can damage your boat’s finish, but regular painting or waxing can help your boat retain a “like new” look.

Painting The Vessel

By maintaining your boat’s condition and staying current on your commercial marine insurance, you can ensure you enjoy a stress-free time on the water.

Should You Paint Your Boat?

Here are some benefits if you’re wondering if you should paint your boat.

• Improved appearance: boat painting helps to improve the boat’s appearance by combatting the effects of age, sun, and saltwater
• Extended life: periodic fresh paint jobs can help stave off rust or wood rot and protect against the elements, essentially extending the life of your boat
• Increased protection: painting the boat adds a protective layer that will help to prevent harmful effects of dust, insects, and the weather 
• Enhanced value: the improved appearance and protection afforded by a fresh coat of paint also improves the value of watercraft

Things to Consider When Painting Your Boat

While boat painting can be expensive and time-consuming, it is an essential step in maintaining your investment. You should consider the following steps when painting a boat.

1. Remove the boat’s hardware, including cleats, rails, and vents.
2. Remove any wood trim on the vessel.
3. Repair imperfections to the boat’s surface, such as gouges, dings, or chips.
4. Prepare the ship’s surface by washing it, de-waxing it, and thoroughly sanding it.
5. Apply a layer of high-quality primer before the paint
6. Using multiple thin coats, paint according to the boat type (described below).
7. Allow cure time consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Apply a protective wax layer from the boat’s stem to its stern.
9. Preserve the benefits of the paint job by keeping the ship clean and rinsing it after contact with saltwater.

Paints by Boat Type

The type of paint to use on your boat depends on what type of boat it is. Wooden boats are best and most economically served by three coats of an oil-based finish, with sanding in between each coat. Paint choices for fiberglass boats have more options.

• Single-part enamel: the easiest and least expensive option is also the most susceptible to UV damage and requires frequent waxing and maintenance.
• Single-part polyurethane: this paint has a long-lasting glossy finish, is easy to apply and is less expensive than two-part polyurethane.
• Two-part polyurethane: this has the best-looking and most durable finish, sometimes even shinier than the original gel coat on most boats. It is also expensive and requires a more complicated application process.

Maintain your boat with regular paint jobs and commercial marine insurance to protect it from more than just the elements.

About Mariners Insurance

Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.