What paint do i need to paint the hull of my dinghy ?

Question

I rarely use it and when i do it is for around 2-4 hours so i dont know if it needs anti fouling?

HELP!

Answer 1

You don't say what the boat is made of, if it's salt water or fresh and if you keep it in the water between uses or not.  Those things make a difference.

If you keep the boat in the water most of the time, you'll need antifouling paint for the bottom.  This is paint that (usually) has little bits of copper floating in it and that's what keeps the barnacles and other greasy scum seagrass from growing on the bottom of your boat.  The higher the copper content, the more powerful the effect.  

If your boat is out of the water most of the time and has time to dry out thoroughly between uses, don't bother with antifouling, it's not necessary.

Insofar as specifically what paint to use, as in what brand other than that, it doesn't really matter.  What I'm about to say is heresy to a lot of people, but I have Captain Pete Culler in the book 'Skiffs and Schooners' to back me up when I say a really good exterior grade house paint is fine.  I built my boat back in 1999 and I used a good porch paint inside and out and have had no problems whatsoever.  I do wash her after I've used her (for daysailing or as a rowboat fishing, whatever I feel like doing) but it's paint meant for outdoors and it's hard and durable because it's formulated for being walked on.  You can get it mixed up at the hardware store in most any color you like and it costs a quarter of what you'll pay for even topside paint at the boating store.  I've repainted my boat only twice since I built her and she's still going strong with no rot and no problems...

Check out 'Skiffs and Schooners', it has a wealth of information about paints and goo.

Good luck,

Answer 2

If you keep it on davits or cradle there is no need to paint it, just rinse off the salt water before stowing.  If you tow it, I would paint it.  It will grow grass and barnies real quickly.

Anti fouling paint will keep the barnies off.