A boat is an investment but for water lovers, the payoff is well worth it! Bottom painting your boat is part of the investment to maintain your boat. What does bottom painting involve? And, exactly how much is it going to cost, anyway?
Fortunately, there are a lot of options! Whether you are on a budget or you want the project completed quickly, there is a solution for you and your boat. Let’s find out more about bottom painting a boat, and the costs involved.
Table of Contents
What is Bottom Paint?
Bottom paint is also often called antifouling marine paint. It is a specially formulated paint or paints that coat the bottom of a boat. This multi-layer coating helps discourage the growth of aquatic organisms on the boat.
Why Bottom Paint a Boat?
Bottom paint coats the bottom of the boat in order to discourage the growth of fouling aquatic organisms. These organisms, such as barnacles and algae, adhere to solid surfaces in the water, such as the bottom of your boat.
These aquatic organisms grow fast. You may try to keep up with scraping down the bottom of the boat, but it will be difficult to keep up with the growth on the underside.
All those barnacles and algae will slow down your boat, as well. The increased water resistance may cause as much as a 50% loss in hull through water efficiency. Not only will that cost you time, but you’ll spend more on diesel to get you to your destination. If your prop has aquatic organisms, your engine will suffer, as well.
What Paint is Needed for Bottom Painting a Boat?
Bottom painting a boat usually involves three layers of paint applied to the bottom of the boat. Typically, you will need two coats of each kind of paint.
Primer/Barrier Coat
The first coat of paint will be either an epoxy primer or a barrier coat. The two-part epoxy primer is perfect for repairs to the bottom of the boat. It will dry rock hard for a durable base coat.
A barrier coat is a similar, hard paint that will adhere to fiberglass, repair damage, and dry hard. Barrier coats are typically only used on fiberglass boats. Based on the condition of your boat, you would choose either a primer or a barrier coat.
Base Coat
The base coat of paint will be an antifouling paint or an ablative paint. This softer layer of paint will provide a layer to repel the build-up of marine growth.
Antifouling paint is quick-drying. It will slowly self-polish or wear down over time. This helps reduce the build-up of paint.
Ablative paint is very similar to antifouling paint. Often, the two terms are used interchangeably. Ablative paint is self-polishing as well. As the boat is in use, the paint will wear away gradually. It also repels aquatic organisms.
If you have an aluminum boat, avoid antifouling paint that includes copper. Copper may cause corrosion on the aluminum unless you have a protective primer in place between the boat and the antifouling paint.
Top Coat
The top coat is a gel coat that gives the boat a glossy, protective finish. This step may be skipped, depending on the antifouling paint, and your desired finish on the boat.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Someone to Bottom Paint a Boat?
Estimated Cost
Most boat painters charge by the foot. 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.
Cost for Labor
Depending on the size of the boat, and the amount of work involved, a professional will probably spend between 10-20 hours painting the bottom of your boat. Most painters will charge $50-$100 per hour for labor. As you can see, labor makes up a good portion of your bill!
Hauling and Storage Fees
Often, your boat will need to be hauled to a painter, and stored during the painting process. Of course, there is a fee for this, as well. Most boat yards will charge by the linear foot to haul, wash, and block the boat. This fee is typically between $6-$10 per foot.
Yard storage fees are typically by the month. Often, boat owners will have their boat bottom painted during the off-season and will pay for several months of storage. Depending on the location, and the boat, be prepared to spend $100-$300 per month for storage fees.
Materials
In addition to paint, you are paying for the use of the painter’s brushes, tools, and equipment. The cost for paint for a 17-18 foot boat depends on the variety of paint used. Antifouling paint is fairly expensive. The cost for materials will be around $400-$700.
Cost Per Square Foot
If you have about 200 square feet of paintable area on the bottom of your boat, your cost per square foot to bottom paint a boat will be $6-$15 or more.
How Much Does it Cost to DIY Bottom Paint a Boat?
Estimated Cost
If you are painting your boat yourself, your only costs are materials. For a 17-18 foot boat, the cost for materials will be $500-$800. This depends on the condition of your boat, as well.
Materials Needed
Boat Primer is the first step. This primer covers 200 square feet at under hundred bucks. Next, this antifouling paint costs slightly more. One gallon covers 500 square feet, so that will be enough for two coats.
The final layer of paint is a gel coat. If you want to build up several layers of gel coat, you will need 3-8 gallons of gel coat at around $35 per gallon. For 5 gallons, that would be $175.
You will also need brushes, paint suits, rollers, and other painting supplies. Plan to spend $30-$50 on these supplies. The fees to haul, block, and launch will be around $300.
The total amount for materials will be about $750.
Time Needed
If you have never bottom painted a boat or have extensive scraping and cleaning, be prepared to spend a little extra time. Otherwise, to bottom paint around 200 square feet of the boat, it will probably take 15-25 hours.
Cost Per Square Foot
For 200 square feet of paintable space, the cost per square foot to bottom paint your boat yourself will be around $3.75.
When is it Unnecessary to Bottom Paint a Boat?
If your boat is not stored in the water, it may not be necessary to use bottom paint. If you typically have your boat in a trailer or dry storage when it is not in use, it will be easy to perform regular maintenance. You should be able to remove all aquatic growth in between uses.
Final Thoughts
Bottom painting is a good investment for boats that spend a lot of time in the water! Evaluate your priorities. If you have the time, you can save a lot of money by bottom painting your boat yourself.
I’m looking at a 34 ft boat that needs screws replaced an the bottom to be Re-Painted it is in water it doesn’t have a trailer. So before I invest in a fixer up I would like to know how much it will cost me to hire someone to have this done?
Hi Elissa,
I’ve recently bought a Hunter 18.5 that’s in dry storage at clinton lake Kansas, near Lawrence. There’s little time for me to do the painting myself and I’m looking for someone who would do that for me so I am looking for estimates.
Thank you very much,
Hal Crites