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Those of you that have done graphite bottoms on your boats and used them a few years - are you happy with the performance? Is it still as you expected?

Jbo

11 years on Clara and I'm happy.

2 pretty hard seasons and super happy, redoing my driftboat with epoxy/graphite soon, was painted.

Thanks for the validation, gents.

If we manage to have warm(ish) weather here through Thanksgiving, I may be able to get the graphite on the bottom of my boat before the project is done for the winter.

Jbo

On the other hand, I have a graphite bottom on my boat (6 yrs) - but wouldn't bother doing again. Can't convince myself that its worth the trouble!

BarraMan wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:09 pm On the other hand, I have a graphite bottom on my boat (6 yrs) - but wouldn't bother doing again. Can't convince myself that its worth the trouble!

Interesting. One thing I like about it is the lack of trouble. You can do multiple coats, wet on wet, no sanding in between, no 7 days drying in between. I found it much easier and quicker than the painted areas on my boat.

This is what I like: “One thing I like about it is the lack of trouble. You can do multiple coats, wet on wet, no sanding in between, no 7 days drying in between.”

I figure if I’m going to have to coat it with something anyway and this isn’t problematic for some reason, it’s an easy call.

Jbo

I’m “hard” on the boat bottom as I have to launch/retrieve by dragging it up a concrete ramp. No matter which method I use it isn’t lasting more than two trips. Graphite is an easy touch up compared to paint.

Disclaimer: displacement hull doesn’t care it the touch up is perfect. Planing hull cares a lot more about the touch up smoothness.

I've done graphite on several boats and on my primary skiff it's been great for ~6 years so far. A few touch ups here and there but mostly because I was doing the bottom on another boat and had some leftover. I'm a big fan of how it wears when beaching and being drug; I'd do it again without hesitation. I also did 3 layers when it was new and seems to have not really worn much at all.

Jaysen wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 10:41 am I’m “hard” on the boat bottom as I have to launch/retrieve by dragging it up a concrete ramp. No matter which method I use it isn’t lasting more than two trips. Graphite is an easy touch up compared to paint.

Disclaimer: displacement hull doesn’t care it the touch up is perfect. Planing hull cares a lot more about the touch up smoothness.

I’d be investing in a pair of dinghy wheels on swing down brackets.