Boot Stripe Apostasy?

[Troy Scott]

Joe,

Aren't the Pettit Vivid paints a hard (non-ablative) coating? I would think that an ablative paint like Micron Extra would be more appropriate. It is available in that minty green color.

[Bob Owens]

Dear Joe,
At the last minute, my courage failed me and I kept my red boot stripe. (Long ago a PO had eliminated the thin white stripe between the red stripe and the blue bottom paint.) I still wrestle with this question briefly each season, though for some reason my stripe has stayed cleaner the last couple of years. The grass and scum wipes off the Interlux pretty easily; its the barnacles on the stripe that give me fits and they were not a problem the last two summers. A friend here at my club also has a CD27 on which he has eliminated the stripe; brings the green bottom paint all the way up to waterline, just like your photos. At rest on the mooring, it is difficult to see any difference between the two boats since the curve of the hull puts the bootstripe somewhat in a shadow. Boat would have to be heeled over a bit underway to see the difference.

[Joe Montana]

Thanks for all your thoughts. Russell, Lady Pauline looks great. I've always liked that look, and I'm finally going to give it a try. I've decided to try Petit's new paint line called "Vivid." They make it in the green I'm looking for.

[Russell]

I think Neptune and his cohorts will be pleased with Flag Blue for your hull. I plan to use Flag Blue for my topsides, mint green (probably Micron Extra) on the bottom, probably Mediterranean White on the deck, with Cream nonskid. The only thing I'm not sure about is the stripes.

Didnt Hereshoff once say "The are only two proper colors to paint a yacht, white or black, and who would want black?"

That aside, I have always admired the look of a flag blue or very dark green hull, IF its done well. I have seen far too many dark finishes where flat spots show up so drasticly due to poor faring (people dont like long boarding), a white finish is much more forgiving here. But if willing to put the serious time into absolutely perfect prep, and I know you will Troy, I will look forward to seeing your results.

[Joe CD MS 300]

A dark color is probably not the best for the tropics but it is hard not to like the look of South West Harbor with the sun shinning and reflecting off the mirror sides of a fleet of black, navy, burgundy and green Hinckleys. Come to think of it, white hulled Hinckleys are pretty rare, at least up north.

[drysuit2]

I raised my waterline and covered my boot stripe a year or two ago. I'm fine with it. It makes it so much easier to keep my waterline clean.

http://www.geocities.com/drysuit2/Segue ... 4515951187

http://www.geocities.com/drysuit2/Segue ... 7114847231

As you can see, I still get the brown staining above my new "higher" waterline. The lack of a boot stripe drives my father [previous care taker], and my wife, crazy. So maybe I'll add one again. But I will defiantly keep the new raised waterline where it is.

I'm thinking of adding a green boot stripe to match the sail trim.

[seadog6532]

We just changes the red stripe to a blue one and about half as wide as it was. We raised the water line about 2 inches and have blue bottom paint. It went back in the water yesterday and we think it looks great.

Mark and Anna of Arianna