Many times I wish I bought a 32 or 36 ft downeast instead of my 28, though as downeast boats go, my BHM is the biggest 28fter out there.
Today I wish I bought a smaller one.
6+ hrs sanding bottom and still not done yet :yak5:
Guess I can't complain, 4th year with the boat and 1st time repainting bottom.

Here ya go, you won't want a bigger boat after this.

Reef Yacht Sales & Services - "Owl's Nest" (http://www.reefyachtsales.com/WWW/listings/2003_72_Merritt_OwlsNest.html)

Here ya go, you won't want a bigger boat after this.

Reef Yacht Sales & Services - "Owl's Nest" (http://www.reefyachtsales.com/WWW/listings/2003_72_Merritt_OwlsNest.html)


3.8 mil doubt that person is doing their own bottom sanding & painting !

3.8 mil doubt that person is doing their own bottom sanding & painting !

Comes with a great skipper too!

I have fished on a few boats in that league and those are temperamental thoroughbreds and require constant attn. There is always a sensor going off and multiple things that always need attn. It has to be a cost-is-no-option affair. There are so many systems on board that it is overwhelming. You really need one guy "just for the boat" another to drive the boat and two more for crew. Great boats but you have to have mega bucks to run them.

Your down east a very simple machine. enjoy what you have.

Why not use ablative paint and you should do away with most of the sanding.

Sanding bottom paint will take time off your life. Seriously, it is nasty #^&#^&#^&#^&.

I think that is a pretty standard boat owner issue. Everyone always wants a few more feet every few years. "If I only had a couple more feet I could have stayed out longer" If I only had a few more feet I could have gone faster through that chop" "If I only............

Every time I go out on my 19' CC I am always wishing it!! :rotf2:

Hand Leo some sandpaper....he does all the catchin on that boat....show him the downside of being 1st mate!

not with the price of gas this year. I am glad I only have a 90 and a 15 on my tin boat. I just wish my truck was better on gas.

My last two weekends. The previous owner just painted over old paint. So as a result I have 10-15 coats of paint that's 1/8" thick. I get a little more each year.

Just got one of my 130s back from the Sears brothers.

After thinking about it and watching the previous generations in my family deal with this issue...one tends to go bigger and bigger until it reaches a point usually about 65 years old, then they seem go small again (I am talking about boats...get your head out of the gutter!!) and head back to the basic CC and single outboard. It is like the "boating circle of life"

Boats are a painintheass and depreciate in value faster than just about anything. But a great day on the water is priceless and for that reason, I still love boats. Besides, despite all the finger busting, knuckle cuts and bruises I have from working on them, and the endless list of to-do items, I have to say I enjoy it...it is a sick thing but I like tinkering around with boats.

very happy with what I have ... never really seriously wished I had a larger boat .
But I am thankful I also have the tin rig ><><

Wish I kept my tintanic...

My last two weekends. The previous owner just painted over old paint. So as a result I have 10-15 coats of paint that's 1/8" thick. I get a little more each year.

Just got one of my 130s back from the Sears brothers.

5" random orbit and lots of pads. done in a day.

I soooooo thought this was going to be a time to go shopping again thread.

I soooooo thought this was going to be a time to go shopping again thread.

No
It's a sanding bottom for new bottom paint sucks tread !

Everyone disappears come bottom sanding day!!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

will work for fish :)

Buffing sucks also !
3 hrs to do one side rub rail down

Buffing sucks also !
3 hrs to do one side rub rail down

1 hr each side

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YmnLlLg1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Amazon.com: Porter-Cable 7424 6-Inch Variable Speed Random-Orbit Polisher: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7424-Variable-Random-Orbit-Polisher/dp/B00004SUQ8)

I hear ya... last year I bought the surehold marine kit that had the random orbital buffer and all the misc magic buff stuff. It came out pretty good but when I saw the pro's do the boat a few down from mine I was in awe. I thought that boat should have gone to the paint shop not get a compound. The results were fantastic. I picked their brain and asked them exactly what to use. This year I gave the surehold kit to my son for his car and I stepped up to a makita unit and going with 3M's Imperial compound, finessit and pro wax and 3 kinds of wool pads. I have not broken them out of the box yet but the results I witnessed from these products were amazing. I figure it will take about 4-6 hours/side + another weekend for the inside but it will look great when I am done.

Re: Sanding bottom paint can be a real health hazard. I would bet money it took a more than a few years off my Dad's life sanding that old copper bottom paint. Even with respirators it is a hellish job. IMO this is money well spent, paying a boatyard to do it.

Andrew,
Thats a random orbital polisher meant for polishing & waxing. Same theory as a da sander we use in the body shop.
A buffer is a completely different power tool.
Guarantee when I get down the GH you will see the difference.







1 hr each side






http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YmnLlLg1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Amazon.com: Porter-Cable 7424 6-Inch Variable Speed Random-Orbit Polisher: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7424-Variable-Random-Orbit-Polisher/dp/B00004SUQ8)

1 hr each side

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YmnLlLg1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Amazon.com: Porter-Cable 7424 6-Inch Variable Speed Random-Orbit Polisher: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7424-Variable-Random-Orbit-Polisher/dp/B00004SUQ8)

Just bought one of those P-C Orbitals. I've heard really good reviews...can't wait to try it out next weekend.

Got one - they're great.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I have awlgrip so I'm really not doing much but polishing.

i've had boats from 10'- 25' and a bunch in between and i'm very happy
with my 16' tin that sips gas.