What to do with new aluminium boat

[BCTony]

OK so I am buying a new aluminium boat. Following advice on here and elsewhere I have specified 'no paint' except inside the cabin (Zolatone) and for anti-slip finish on gunwales, swim-deck and deck.

The boat will have bottom paint and will be moored in saltwater year-round. So what do I do? Do I wax the bare aluminium or just leave it bare and allow it to oxidise?

[Chaps]

It will oxidize which is a good thing. Try and keep it clean so that it doesn't end up turning splotchy as it goes to gray. Once it has skinned off with oxide just wash it as needed. I think I wash mine about once a year and its impossible to tell I've done anything to it . . . congrads on the new purchase BTW, did you go for the NR Offshore?

[BCTony]

It will oxidize which is a good thing. Try and keep it clean so that it doesn't end up turning splotchy as it goes to gray. Once it has skinned off with oxide just wash it as needed. I think I wash mine about once a year and its impossible to tell I've done anything to it . . . congrads on the new purchase BTW, did you go for the NR Offshore?

Yes - North River Seahawk Offshore 24' to be coupled with twin Yamaha 200's. It will not be ready before October; I can't wait!

[welderbob]

Shark hide might not be a bad thing.

[Sabs28]

24 feet with 400 HP???? That boat will SKAA-ROOO

[BCTony]

24 feet with 400 HP???? That boat will SKAA-ROOO

Well, I have been picking brains and advice from two or three forums. It has been said that with twin 150's I might be slightly underpowered while more have said this power would be well matched. Twin F200's are $5300 more in analogue and hardly any weight increase over 150's, so I thought 'why not' you do not have to go full throttle all the time and cruising at a lower rpm should prove more economical and better for longevity of the engines.

[Sabs28]

Agreed, I would rather have the power & not need it, than need it & not have it.

[dave]

If you don't want the natural oxidation, use Sharkhide.

[Bob5292]

Is there room for a kicker with twins on that hull?

[wetwhopper]

Congrats on your new boat! I put a coat of Sharkhide on my new haul (prior to putting the boat in the salt). Since then... I wipe on another coat before each season. works very nicely, and only takes me 30 min. to wipe on. Clean any residue off your hull, be smooth and wipe on a nice even layer. I apply it with cloth baby diapers. Good luck.

[BCTony]

Is there room for a kicker with twins on that hull?

Yes - I am putting on a 9.9 kicker to keep hours off of the main motors.

[wetwhopper]

Kicker (saves hours on your main & lowers fuel bill). You may want to install a 2nd battery (if you don't have one already) with a Perco switch. Sharkhide has worked well for my (still relatively new) hull. I'm going to add a second bildge pump for good measure and get your boat out on the water in different conditions... every boat is a "compromise" and has its weaknesses & strengths.

[ReelSong]

To each his own , I for one like my paint