When to recoat a drifty?

[nwjetboat]

I'm kinda new to this driftboat stuff. How often should you recoat the bottom, and what is the best stuff. Currently the bottom is missing a couple of patches 4" square, up near the front rocker of the boat. (I zigged when I should have zagged). Do I need to recoat??

[Deleted User]

Howdy njb. It depends on how much and what type of use of course. Sounds like yours at least could use a light sanding around the scraped off patches and apply some Coat-It or Glovit to those areas. When the bottom coating gets to where it isn't doing a good job then it's likely time to chem or heat strip off the old coat and apply a new one. If you fish an average amount of time in typical water I think these coatings should last a few seasons? - RT

[nwjetboat]

Thanks RT. Does it matter if I mix the two, (glovit or coat-it)??How do I know what kind is on there now?? Which is best, (in your opinion)? Not much information over here in Idaho on the drift boats. I use it on the Salmon, and a bit on the Snake. Enjoy the BB, haven"t fished much over your way, the Sixes once for kings. Have a friend that just relocated to Puyallup area, he doesn't fish, YET!

[Deleted User]

I haven't used either for a few years because I've only had a jetlsed, and now a cataraft (I row friends driftboats since I sold mine). The consensus I've heard is that the Coat-it has become more popular than Glove-it. I wouldn't mix the 2. Hopefully someone with more recent experience with them will post more info. - You Idaho guys should have gotten a decent springer season somehwere over there this summer? Near Riggings? Up the Salmon River? And I would hope so also on late summer steelhead! How have they been doing on the big Dworshak steelies up on the Clearwater R.? Thanks. - RT

[nwjetboat]

I hope someone can give me an idea what is on the bottom of the boat, the coating is a dull grey color. It's a Fish-Rite if that helps.
Yes, we did have a good salmon season. I fished the Clearwater near Orifino for a week, did quite well. As for the steelies, the B-fish aren't here yet, but they are hitting some A-fish at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater. We need rain!!!

[RW]

I just re-did my bottom late last year. I had Glove-it on it. I just belt sanded as much off as possible, making sure to smooth the entire surface. Then I used Coat-it, (everyone I talked to said that is the best) putting on a little less than one gallon (16' x 54"). It was easy to work with and gave you plenty of time to spread it evenly. Be carefull not to put it on to thick, it will run until the surface starts to harden up.

So far, so good. It is holding up well. Good luck. RW

[Wet_Willy]

nwjetboat,
I just put a coat of "coat-it" on my drift boat and it is a dull gray color, like what you are describing. My buddy has glovit on the bottom of his boat and it is sort of a brownish color. What I was told is that the "coat-it" is better only in that you can just coat right over the top of an old layer without much prep work. I haven't had to re-coat yet so don't have a certain answer. Steven's marine gave me that info...It is how they do it when people bring a boat into them for coating.
WW

[T.rex]

WET Willy; Is that for fiberglass or wooden drift boats , I have a lavro .