Drift boat bottom coat

[Snoslyder]

Anyone have any advice on which product works best for coating the bottom of a drift boat to make it slide over structure easier. I have heard of a product called Gluvit, but have no idea about the application process. Are there other/better products out there that do the same kind of job?
Any advice on which product is best, as well as how best to apply the stuff would be greatly appreciated.

[sliverslinger]

Anyone have any advice on which product works best for coating the bottom of a drift boat to make it slide over structure easier. I have heard of a product called Gluvit, but have no idea about the application process. Are there other/better products out there that do the same kind of job?
Any advice on which product is best, as well as how best to apply the stuff would be greatly appreciated.

coat-it works very well. and it is easy to apply, just make sure to do it in a heated gargae or something. I believe it needs to be at least 65-70 degrees minimum.

[smalldog]

Is your boat wood? West Epoxy System and 6 coats of Graphite.
You will have to row to go down stream.

[Snoslyder]

Anyone have any advice on which product works best for coating the bottom of a drift boat to make it slide over structure easier. I have heard of a product called Gluvit, but have no idea about the application process. Are there other/better products out there that do the same kind of job?
Any advice on which product is best, as well as how best to apply the stuff would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry it's an aluminum Willie Drift boat 17X54.

[Hookmiester]

I have used coat-it on my a couple of times, its fairly straight forward. If you have the money tho, have a pro put it on, what a freaking mess.

[AlseaAssassin]

I agree with the pro application. It was a ton of work scrapeing the old coat-it off and putting the new glove-it on. We had to use a heater to make the stuff more pliable then a hell of alot of elbow grease to get it off. After that I used acetone, if I remember correctly, to clean the hull. Then I applied primer and finished with several layers of glove-it. It's worked out well and has been very durable but it was a major pain the in the you know what.

[Bobberman]

Coat it is the way to go!

[fop]

http://www.steelheader.net/photopost/data/503/362MVC-001S.JPG
I thought it was an easy job to redo the Coat-it on my Willie boat.

First take a angle grinder and grind off , I think I used 60 grit sandpaper pad, the loose old stuff. Took me about a 1/2 hour and ya don't have to make it look pretty.

Next mask off the sides with newspaper(This is a very important set as the Coat-it will run down the sides and really make a mess.
http://www.steelheader.net/photopost/data/503/362MVC-002S.JPG
And the final results is a nice slippery bottom. I did this about 2-3 years ago and it still looks good.
http://www.steelheader.net/photopost/data/503/362MVC-003S.JPG

I would recommend doing this during the summer when it's warm out. It took a couple of days to harden. I used a squeegie to spread it out. Bought a cheap one and it worked great.

I also bought a gallon can (I think it is sold by weight, not gallon)and only used about half of it. I thought I would do it again the next summer but so far it hasn't needed redoing. Maybe this summer will put the balance of the can on.

A couple of hours work, piece of cake!

fop

[sliverslinger]

what works good is a 1/4 nap or smaller roller. I would just pour it out all the way across the boat and just keep rolling it out until it is all the same color. when you do it you will see what I am talking about. It should be a uniform grey color. I have done this quite a few times and I like the ease of using it. And it is cheaper that gluv-it. I usually get 2 cans of coat-it for a 16ft drifter, but I go about 6-8" up the sides also.
Now taping it off is a VERY good idea, because once it is set up, you cant hardly get it off the sides without destroying something.

[iwanttofish]

The can of coat it says 60 degrees, I have to wait to warm up a little and then use a heater to warm up the warehouse that it is sitting in. It is to hard to heat it with the temps outside right now. We have a big heater but can only run it during the day.

Who does this professionally? For my info and any others that may need it.

[Chetco River]

If you use Glov it the Whole bottom must be taken to bare metal Coat it can be used as a touch up with out taking all the bottom off.

[nikkidog]

If you use Glov it the Whole bottom must be taken to bare metal Coat it can be used as a touch up with out taking all the bottom off.

Wrong. My Alumaweld DB is a 79. Coated with Gluv-It long before the days of Coat -It. It gets a touch-up coat every 3-5 years depending on use. Most of the original Gluv-It is still holding the many top coats applied thought the years. Nik

[viigfish]

I too have used gluvit for years, my boat is 18 now. I have always been able to recoat. The only thing I take down to bare metal are the areas that seperated and bubbled. Everything else I just rough up and re apply.


RV

[cubsfan]

Gluv-it and coat it both work well. Have a pro do it and save yourself from a nightmare and respiratory ailments. I read on the Willies website they do it for 145 bucks. I paid 300 in Salem. I dont know if you could hardly buy the product for that. That price may have been for new boat purchases. It would be worth contacting Willies. Of course you would have to make a trip south and with all that snow...good luck. That seems to be the best deal I've seen. Like I said, they may charge more for other applications. Good luck! Hope the links work.

www.willieboats.com (http://www.willieboats.com)

Then click on the DRIFTBOAT ACCESSORIES under their ONLINE STORE. You will want to then click on PRICING GUIDE. Or try:

http://www.willieboats.com/Drift%20Boat%20Accessories%2017'%20&%2018'+.pdf

[sliverslinger]

You can get the coat-it at your local bimart for approx 20.00 per can. It usually takes 2 cans. It is simple to use. If you are close I can help you thru it.

[IDFishrite]

I had mine done at Motion Marine. I wanted to do it myself but just didn't have the time or the means at the time.Just be clear with them on the amout and type of product you want on your boat.

[Elkhunter14]

Another option to think about would be a 1/4" UHMW bottom. I know of a few guides that have this on there boat and they said that they would not have another drifter without it.

[Lead Bouncer]

There is an bedliner type material done thru an outfit in south Tacoma off of hwy 512 thats pretty good stuff. Its a different chemical the rhino or line x and holds up well. Its sprayed on hot. The customary rough surface is not required. Those are sprayed in the air and stick as they contact the surface.

[codfisher]

Things to keep in mind when it comes to bottom coating a driftboat.

1. Any extra weight added will add up over the day in muscle power needed to row.

2. Bottom coats are there to help you slide OFF of rocks, not STICK to them.

3. Gluv-It is somewhat slippery but will crack and break because it is brittle. UHMW is the most slippery but is the heaviest.

I own wood drift boats and have never had anything other than marine spar varnish on the bottoms. I just make it a point to dodge all the rocks. If I run over rocks, a quick recoat of varnish freshens the bottom up just fine. Very little added weight and no mess problems.

Just my take on the subject.

Codfisher

[Fishingfanatic]

Another option to think about would be a 1/4" UHMW bottom. I know of a few guides that have this on there boat and they said that they would not have another drifter without it.

I have been told that you CANNOT put a UHMW botton on a used boat. Not sure the reason, its just what I have been told.

[hunteraholic]

I havent tried anything but gluvit, i have a fiberglass db. It was real easy, flipped the boat over in the front during the sommer. Hand sanded with 60 grit applied with a small roller. Ive got two coats on it no bubbling holding up great, I also went up the sides 4 inches, just my :twocents: hope this helps. BH

[Elkhunter14]

You can put UHMW on a used driftboat with weld washers. These things are basically a washer made of aluminum. All you have to do is cut the UHMW to fit the bottom of the boat then drill holes in it and insert the weld washer then weld it to the bottom. The weld washers are recessed into the UHMW about a 1/8" so you will not tear them out when running over rocks.