SUPERYACHT SECRETS
Paint isn’t the only way to customise your
boat. Vinyl wrapping has become so good
that you can have virtually any graphic or
artwork you want, and the design can be
repeated on masts, tenders, support
vehicles and even sails.
In addition, Italian-based Cerberus has
even found a way to give a waterproof
printed pattern to more than just the hull.
8: Protect your investment
Having gone to great lengths to paint your
boat, it pays to do your best to protect the
fi nish from the bangs and scrapes of
boating life. Fender socks can help, but
are equally prone to soaking up grit and oil
which may prove counter-productive
unless religiously washed through. Fender
boards when using locks and self-
adhesive protective metal strips whereanchors and ropes may chafe are also
good investments. Canvas covers over the
brightwork is also recommended in sunny
climates to prevent the varnish from fading
and degrading.An attractive cover protects the varnish
from the ravishes of ultraviolet light when
the boat is not in use9: Think about the colours
Mixing machines allow you to have
virtually any custom shade you want
Paint manufacturers are responding to a
general demand for custom colours. Many
have installed colour-matching machines
in their outlets and these can compare a
sample and then match it from basic stock
colours. The variations are almost infi nite,
and this includes the most popularmetallics and pearlescents.
If you damage your boat in another
country, and want a repair colour matched
to the original paint scheme, the dealer
can send a fi le over the internet that
instructs the local mixing machine to make
the exact same shade.10: Be prepared to experiment
Printed vinyl wraps mean your
imagination is the only limit to how
your boat’s hull – and even the cockpit
cushions – might lookTheir specially formulated PVC soaks up
sunlight-resistant inks, meaning that
awnings, sail covers and cockpit
cushions can be printed with a pattern to
integrate with the whole boat.Quick Build Primer
by Awlgrip
The clever bit of this
primer is that it’s
available in six different
colours, which can be
used individually or
mixed to create a
custom shade. This
enhances the
paint’s ability to
hide repairs.A growing trend, especially for cash rich
and time poor boat owners, is for the boat
to be professionally painted. Paint
manufacturers will have a list of approved
painting centres around the country able
to give your yacht a brand new high
quality coating.
A leader on the south coast is
Hampshire-based Berthon, which has a
state of the art spraying facility inLymington. Hulls, decks, masts and
tenders can be perfectly colour matched.
The paint job will cost several thousands
of pounds, depending on the degree of
complexity required, but can easily add a
great deal of value to a boat.
A series of approved gel care centres
using 3M materials is also available
around the country to restore a
professional gleam to a faded gelcoat.R&D departments
never rest. In
developing paints and
coatings for the
superyacht sector, as
well as for industrial
applications, new
discoveries soon fi nd
their way into
mainstream leisure
products. Here are
some recent examples:A typical prime, fair and repaint by
Berthon in Lymington. Note the damp
fl oor to trap dustLet the professionals paint it for you
Products inspired by superyachts
Variopox Rapid Filler
by De Ijssel
Described as a ‘very
fast drying’ epoxy fi ller
targeted at the small
boat/DIY market. With
a pot life of 8 minutes
at 25°C it cures very
quickly and
can be
sanded
shortly after.Coolblack
by Nautix Paints
Black can look great on
a boat, but gets very
hot in direct sunshine.
Nautix’s two-pot
Coolblack is said to cut
UV absorption by 35%.
It still looks
black, but
doesn’t get
as hot.