Waterline on R12EC

[JohnH]

I notice in the photos on this site and elsewhere and from observation of the one-and-only floating R21EC that I have seen that the boot stripe is essentially right at the waterline when the boat is at rest. Since my boat (ordered, with delivery expected in July) must remain in salt water for the boating season, I think this means that the usual slime, grass, etc. will grow on the boot stripe. The boot stripe will not be covered with anti-fouling paint.

Is it possible to order the boat with the boot strip raised about one boot-stripe-width, so that I can then raise the botom paint?

-- John H

 

[rt11002003]

John, I'd direct that question to the factory people, John L., Jeff M, or Andrew C.; my guess is that it is gelcoat and part of the manufacturing process.

I have bottom paint that runs all the way to the boot stripe. Yet, my boot stripe is always a mess for the reason you mention. The water laps over it and the scum grows quickly. I use the boat a couple of times a week and still can't keep it clean. It is worsened by the fact it lists to port when at rest. I guess it's ok when I'm at the helm. :lol:

Gene

 

[Rick & Karen]

Hi John,

Kolo Iki was a dealer demo and when I first saw her she was on a trailer at the Sand Island Coast Guard Station. She had however spent a lot of time in the water prior to that and there was a defined scum line on the hull where the "true" water line is. There was an old coat of blue bottom paint that had been applied below the boot stripe, but she was due for a complete bottom cleaning and repaint.

The yard that did the work pointed out that the boot stripe was not the actual water line and they suggested feathering the paint into the boot stripe. The boot stripe is Hunter Green and the bottom paint is black. The new bottom paint waterline totally covers the boot stripe until just forward of the cockpit steps. At that point the boot stripe starts to rise from the black paint and becomes a separate line going forward to the bow. The yard did a great job with the line (they used a laser measurement tool) and the boot stripe looks quite natural rising from the paint.

Like you mentioned, our boat is in salt water throughout the boating season, (which is year round 🙂) and not having bottom paint where the actual water line is would be a constant irritant, especially in a tropical climate like Hawaii.

Aloha,

Rick