DODGER = BOTTOM PAINT

[ALEXANDER]

Hi, I'm the newbie from Titusville, Florida...with questions...
First..ever since I first laid eyes on the cp16 ,I pictured it with a dodger (not a bimini). Any one out there have one?  Where can I get one made?  Are they costly?  How do you think it would look?
Next...I"m a day sailor,  with a very occasional overnighter.  However, she is back up on her trailor each nite.  Do I need to consider bottom paint? What type of paint should I use?   Right now she is down to her original white gelcoat bottom.
Next...The red tape stripe on her water line (boot stripe, sorry,  I don't know and can't find the correct name...help).  Anyway, it is missing and I'll need to put one back on. There must be some very easy way of getting it on correctly,  but I can't seem to find out how.
Lastly...One of the best books I've read (along with the R.F. Burgess book) is " The Complete Sailor"  David Seidman.  It is very basic, but I find myself constantly going back to it.  The Burgess book seems a bit dated.

thanks for your help.

[Bob23]

Al:
   I can't help with the dodger but I'm sure a jolly 16 owner here will be able to. I have a small on for my 23 and it looks great. It's quite nice in the fall when the water and air get colder.
   I don't know if you need to bottom paint. Sure, it's warmer water and things grow faster. I'm in NJ and the boat (1985 23) is in all summer so there is no question. I'd lean toward doing it just in case you end up keeping her in for an extended period of time.
   I just masked and painted the boot stripe on. I used Pettit boot stripe paint and masked it off with blue painters tape after carefully light sanding it and wiping down with acetone. Each year it needs a bit of touch up but that little can (1/2 pint, I think) has really lasted.
   Welcome!
Bob23

[Billy]

you won't NEED the bottom paint if it is only in the water for 24 hours or so. But it won't hurt, unless the white gel coat is in great shape. If it is faded I would paint the bottom. And living in FL are you sure you would rather have a dodger instead of a bimini? I'm in Tampa and can't believe I sailed my boat for 3 years before I broke down and bought a bimini. I must say....down here in FL they are worth their weight in gold! I got tired of bar-b-queing under the hot sun everytime.

[Salty19]

I would skip bottom epoxy and paint. If you're just going to daysail and the occasional overnighter (or two nights), you'll have zero concern for blistering.
3 or 4 weeks in warm water may be a different story, but even then you'll probably be safe.

Just keep the hull clean and you should be good to go. Tip:  if you wash the hull in soft scrub WITH BLEACH, the buildup of critters will be slower.  Nothing grows on bleach and the residue will be help protect it for a short time.  Another tip:  This also works great on the deck and hull.  Really takes the stains out and brightens things up.  It will take off any wax though.

A company called JSI (in clearwater, I think?) can make you a dodger.   Sit down when you call them because the price could make you faint.
Some have made their own dodgers.

[Billy]

There is another place in St.Pete, Lipincott (SP?). I had them give me a quote for my Bimini and I almost fainted just like Salty described. It was over $1,000. but his stuff did look good. I ended up getting my Bimini from the Com-Pac factory. I bet they could help you out, or at least point you in a direction.

[mrb]

I agree with other posters about not putting bottom paint on.  If the gelcoat is in good shape I would recommend putting some time into a good waxing. The trouble with paint is it will go bad over time then you really have a chore on your hands.  With a good wax job you can still go out for a few days if the voyaging bug bites you.

I have a 16 and realy think A biminy would be nice, not sure about a dodger as I think it might be in the way when hoisting or lowering sails.

Fair winds and good sailing

[ALEXANDER]

you won't NEED the bottom paint if it is only in the water for 24 hours or so. But it won't hurt, unless the white gel coat is in great shape. If it is faded I would paint the bottom. And living in FL are you sure you would rather have a dodger instead of a bimini? I'm in Tampa and can't believe I sailed my boat for 3 years before I broke down and bought a bimini. I must say....down here in FL they are worth their weight in gold! I got tired of bar-b-queing under the hot sun everytime.

Thanks for the tips on bottom paint and bimini.  Any suggestions on how to measure where to paint the boot stripe (water line)is placed?

[Billy]

Not really sure, I could get some close up pics in the next day of so of mine, and post them with a few measurements. r you could do it next time your boat is in the water. Just drop it in, and then pull it out.  I'll try to post a few pics n the next day or so. But as far as a formula...not sure, you could call the company

[ALEXANDER]

Billy,
I took your advice and e-mailed Gerry at Hutchins in Florida.  He replied the very next day with a diagram of the 16 and measurements for it's exact location.  I have included some info. in the "boat + hardware modification" section of our site.  Thanks for your help and suggestion.
Alex