: Last August just prior to loading my boat on the truck for an out of state
: trip I had my S&G boat sitting next to a big tree in my yard when a big
: gust of wind came along. To make a long story short, a 6" diameter
: limb crashed down on it passing through the cockpit and out through the
: bottom. The resulting hole is about about one foot square. The rear hatch
: was destroyed and another hole was punched just behind the cockpit.
: Refusing to let this mishap ruin our paddling plans in the Adirondacks (we
: were taking my wifes boat too), I cut two pieces of 1/4" plywood, put
: them inside the hull covering the hole (under the seat) and stapled them
: in place after which I sealed the whole thing up with a couple of layers
: of duct tape (not grey, black because it's classier looking).
: I'm finally getting around to fixing the boat and I plan to patch the bottom,
: make a new hatch and possibly put a day hatch in the spot behind the
: cockpit where the smallest hole is. As much as I like the bright finish of
: the boat I'm thinking of painting the hull and leaving the deck
: bright....I've seen pictures of some very nice looking boats finished this
: way. If you have pictures of boats finished like this please post them to
: help me make a decision. I think a off white would look nice but wonder
: what a dark color might look like. My boat is the dark one.

Having both varnished boats and painted ones, it sure it alot easier to maintain the painted ones.

There's another possibility, that's a little trickier to do, but maintains the bright finished hull sides, is to just paint the bottom, or for that matter to graphite/epoxy coat the bottom so that it's darned near impossible to damage the bottom. The trick is to find the floating waterline. Easy two ways, paddle in scummy water and the water will mark the floating waterline, or to sit in the boat and have your wife mark the waterline (preferably with a grease pencil).

This just gives you move choices

Bill H.