Marinette Boat Forum

I have a friend who's in negotiations with the owner of a 1966 Pluckenbaum 16' x 44' Aluminum Houseboat. The interior has been stripped with the exception of engines, drive trains, gauges etc. the exterior was just recently painted at the Sunstar Houseboat factory with Imron paint and the exterior of the boat is beautiful. However, the boat was painted below the water line, to the keel, and no anti fouling paint was applied. Question is, can the anti fouling paint be applied over the Imron at this point. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated since us Marinette guys have seen it all when it comes to paint and aluminum..
Regards,
Rockxx

I would contact a rep for the paint and find out what they think. I can tell you this, we have a locomotive painted with Imron in 1991 that is just now looking like it needs touched up, not repainted. It is tough stuff.

Pluckenbaum 16' x 44' Aluminum Houseboats are very well built. Here are a couple of things to consider.

1. The Pluck is a non-planning hull design.
2. Imron is very tough and durable.
3. Majority of Houseboats like the Plucks do not paint the bottoms at all.

The reason they are not painted:
1. Galvanic Corrosion is not a problem. The large bare surface area spreads the electrons across a large area. Anodes are still required on shafts/rudders etc.

2. Since they are not planning hulls antifouling is not very effective.

INHO I would leave the hull the way it is. I would do underwater inspections and would haul out every 2-3 seasons for pressure washing and hull inspection.

Again they are GREAT BOATS wish I owned one!

safe boating,
dave

Dave,
Thanks for the good information. My friend went for a sea trial yesterday but, I was unable to go. One of the 318's would not crank so the sale is on hold pending mechanical work. Owner is advertising that "new" engines were installed in 1999 but not sure if these were crate or rebuilds.
As a side note, are you still on Barkley. I grew up in Clarksville and spent my youth on Ky lake (before Barkley was impounded)
as my best friends family had a cabin on Panther Creek. Beautiful country around there.
Rockxx

Question: What do OTHER boaters use in that area? If they don't use AF paint, you shouldn't need it. On the Chesapeake Bay your boat would add a ton of weight over the summer time without AF (and half that with it if you don't run it regularly).

What does "Barkley was impounded" mean?

Jeff

Dam was completed and lake filled.

Good. Hate to see you high and dry!

Jeff

Yup... Project completed 1968 (started by Pres. John F. Kennedy)



safe boating,
dave

Jeff, you're a real "Hoot". I'd like to buy you a beer sometime.