> I've been intrigued by this idea and was wondering if anyone would have a
> guess at how much a body shop would charge for this? The assumption would
> be that I would leave the boat with them for a while, and they would just
> shoot it with poly clearcoat when they had a car to do at the same time. I
> guess the biggest variable would be how they would support the boat while
> spraying. If the boat could be hung, it could be totally sprayed in one
> session. Maybe you could put toggle-holes in the ends of your boat, then
> put a rod or barstock through them and supported by the sawhorses/boat
> stands as shown in Nick's book.

> Dean

The clearcoat they are using is a urethane not a polyurethane. It is extremely durable also. Make sure the boat is completely prepped as this is the major cost of a repaint, probably 70% of the labour. All the shop has to do is hang the boat, solvent wash, tack it down, spray two coats and bake.

To hang the boat, I made a cross of wood that I slipped inside the cockpit so that the boat hung from 4 points. (front, rear and both sides) I then ran a rope to the ceiling of the booth. Worked well.

Most bodyshops offer free estimates and there is no reason they can't give you a firm price on this procedure. Shop around. Pick one that seems genuinely interested in your boat, they are more likely to take the care necessary to perform a quality job. Also if you know of another builder ready at the same time you should get a better deal as two boats will fit in the booth at once, and will not require much more time than one boat.

Ian