Hull colors

Jorg Will

New Member
May 17, 2018
8
Lake of the Ozarks
Boat Info
2006 340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 Horizons - V-Drive
Does anyone have any comments, recommendations, or complaints about boats with colored hulls, especially cinnabar. My wife and I are looking at a 340 Sundancer that has the cinnabar hull color.
 
For boats, if it ain't white it ain't right!

The blue and black hulls are appealing... but if you don't buff and wax regular, they turn to terrible.
I guess the cinnabar is the tan like color?

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!
 
For boats, if it ain't white it ain't right!

The blue and black hulls are appealing... but if you don't buff and wax regular, they turn to terrible.
I guess the cinnabar is the tan like color?

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!
Thanks Jim, the cinnabar is the maroon hull color. I figured it would take additional maintenance.
 
My blue hull requires compound and wax twice a year to stay looking nice. I personally would never have another dark colored hull boat again. In saltwater all the salt shows on the hull when your out boating and every little scratch stands out. But when they are clean and shinny you can’t beat the look.
 
You don't give us a location so about all you are going to get are general comments.

Cinnabar didn't sell well in the Florida coastal areas. They are very difficult to keep free of oxidation and require multiple cleanings with a light compound and polishing about 4X a year here, whereas, my boat which is white, requires about 1/4 that expense and labor.

On the other hand, I have friend in Tennessee who keeps a cinnabar hull on a trailer in a warehouse and it looks beautiful every time he takes it to the lake, but it does show every little scratch from anything, even fenders.
 
You don't give us a location so about all you are going to get are general comments.

Cinnabar didn't sell well in the Florida coastal areas. They are very difficult to keep free of oxidation and require multiple cleanings with a light compound and polishing about 4X a year here, whereas, my boat which is white, requires about 1/4 that expense and labor.

On the other hand, I have friend in Tennessee who keeps a cinnabar hull on a trailer in a warehouse and it looks beautiful every time he takes it to the lake, but it does show every little scratch from anything, even fenders.
Sorry, the boat will be at the Lake of the Ozarks, so fresh water. I figure a little less cleaning and polishing maybe.
 
My blue hull requires compound and wax twice a year to stay looking nice. I personally would never have another dark colored hull boat again. In saltwater all the salt shows on the hull when your out boating and every little scratch stands out. But when they are clean and shinny you can’t beat the look.
I agree, they look awesome!
 
For boats, if it ain't white it ain't right!

The blue and black hulls are appealing... but if you don't buff and wax regular, they turn to terrible.
I guess the cinnabar is the tan like color?

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!
Thanks!
 
Need to clear something up, by colored you mean color in the gelcoat? Or painted hull?
I agree with most gelcoat colors require a lot more attention as for paint, I just wash and wax and done.
My boat was originally pewter colored gelcoat.
 
Keep in mind that a slow selling boat will be harder to sell when you decide to move on. Typically means you will need to discount the boat due to its color. There are folks who will not even look at a boat with a colored hull.
 
I owned a black hull boat once. I would prefer never subject myself to that torture again. I do love the look though. One of my dreamboats (right now) would be a mid/late 2000's 420 Sundancer with the blue hull. But I would absolutely lose sleep over the cleanliness of the sides...or lack thereof.
 
I owned a black hull boat once. I would prefer never subject myself to that torture again. I do love the look though. One of my dreamboats (right now) would be a mid/late 2000's 420 Sundancer with the blue hull. But I would absolutely lose sleep over the cleanliness of the sides...or lack thereof.
I understand. Looks like we will be passing on the cinnabar hull boat, has a number of poor attempts to repair scratches and cloudiness in the color. We are now looking at a white hulled boat.
 
I have my first colored hull boat after decades of owning white. Absolutely love it as it definitely stands out on the crowd. It's imron painted, so no waxing and just washing after use. I did find due to the hard water of the area, the water spots were endless and it drove me nuts. A water filter cleared up that problem.

We're on a fresh water lake, and the guys I know that have colored hulls usually have their boats pulled twice a year for waxing - which I'm sure adds up - though I would think white hulls would need to have the same done to keep them in top shape.
 
Well I have to say I’ve only had my 2006 52DB about 13 of which four were spent in KW. The PO had taken excellent care as I have as well. Waxed twice in the last 12 months by professionals as it’s way more fiberglass than I’m gonna do myself. TLC and good planning makes all the difference in the world. Fleece fender covers by most think they’ve eliminated a major issue but not do as even fleece is an abrasive.

When you’re tied off on all four points it’s easy. Parallel to fixed or floating dock requires knowing how to tie the box, forward/reverse spring line and cross the stern to angle the bow away from the dock. If you’re fortunate like I have with a dipping rub rail down to the swim platform the placement of that fender on the rub raid will keep the colored hull off the dock as well as off the fender below the rub rail. When I put a side fender on anywhere along the port or starboard side with floating docks the fender is mounted horizontal just high enough to catch the dock if need be but low enough to be on the vinyl strips just above the water line. Tied up four months with side floating finger pier in KW without a scratch.

Before heading to any dockage observing or getting the details before your approach allows proper predeployment, rigging of lines & fenders.

Long winded but not a quick easy fix on any boat IMHO.
 
I have my first colored hull boat after decades of owning white. Absolutely love it as it definitely stands out on the crowd. It's imron painted, so no waxing and just washing after use. I did find due to the hard water of the area, the water spots were endless and it drove me nuts. A water filter cleared up that problem.

We're on a fresh water lake, and the guys I know that have colored hulls usually have their boats pulled twice a year for waxing - which I'm sure adds up - though I would think white hulls would need to have the same done to keep them in top shape.
Thanks for the reply, I had actually thought about painting the hull to the original color with imron. It would be a bit pricey though.
 
Thanks for the reply, I had actually thought about painting the hull to the original color with imron. It would be a bit pricey though.

I've really enjoyed it. I do wash it more often given the color, but it's kind of neat not looking the same as everyone else.

CY_reflection.jpg
 
I spent too much time keeping our blue hull clean. It was gorgeous for about a day after cleaning and I was really proud of her when she gleemed. I vowed not to get another colored hull due to cost (time and money) of keeping it nice. White hulls just hide imperfection better, and I wanted to spend more time enjoying the boat and less time obsessing over keeping her spotless. I still obsess over the new (white) one, but can concentrate more of my time on improvements rather than washing/waxing the hull.

If you got the time, energy and budget and that's what you like...go for it. Just beware that some years and colors have known issues.
 

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