Establishing a waterline on a boat

[Foul Hook]

Ok boating gurus' I've been looking for the preferred method of establishing a waterline on a virgin bottom boat, never been painted. Called the manufacturer, of course they commit to nothing (was looking for some sort of measurement or diagram, ect.). I've read some interesting options. Just thought I'd throw it out here to see what's up. Thanks for the input!

[Bass_Appeal]

put it in water mark it with a pensil.then about 2-3" above the actuall waterline then pull it out wash bottom down tape with blue painters tape , lightly sand the bottom , wash off , put two coats of pettit protect , then paint with bottom paint thats the way id do it , marking water line be sure u dont tilt the boat and flat calm water

[Irish Jigger]

If it's brand new definitely acid wash all the dealer wax off. That's a must before sanding to achieve a porous bottom for the base coat to adhere too!!!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Ok boating gurus' I've been looking for the preferred method of establishing a waterline on a virgin bottom boat, never been painted. Called the manufacturer, of course they commit to nothing (was looking for some sort of measurement or diagram, ect.). I've read some interesting options. Just thought I'd throw it out here to see what's up. Thanks for the input!

Put it in the water with a full load of fuel and some people on it. Get a tape measure and take 4 reference measurements from your rub rail to water. 2 towards the front of the boat port and starboard and 2 towards the back.

Average the 2 front measurements and subtract and inch or 2 and make a reference mark/line on each side since you'll want your paint to start and inch or 2 above the the water line. Do the same thing for the back.

Snap a chalk plumb line from the front marks to the back, run some blue painters tape above and along that line an paint away.

I would advise a good barrier coat first which helps seal the fiberglass and prevents blistering. Then 3 coats of ablative multi season bottom paint. The first 2 use red and the top coat whatever color you choose to match the hull match the hull.

Each spring season as your top coat paint wears off, rather then re paint the entire bottom, you simply touch up the areas you see the red starting to show through.

One other thing to consider doing while your at it is adding a 1 or 2 inch accent boot stripe an inch or so above your paint line... This gives your bottom line a bit more definition. It will also helps you next year when you are waxing your hull because you don't want to pick up bottom paint in your wax, you simply apply the wax to the boot stripe and above.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Here is a good example of how a boot stripe can help accent your water line.

[BCinerie]

Boot stripe looks good ! Will have to try
That next year.