Colored Hulls - Trouble?

J

JohnFT

New Member
Feb 14, 2010
5
Northeastern US
Boat Info
2010 Sundancer 310
Engines
MerCruiser 5.0L MPI Bravo III MCM DTS* (T-260 hp
I am buying a new (used 2005) boat and trying to decide between two 2005 Sundancer 260DA's...One has a white hull the other has a green hull. Can anyone tell me if the new technology in the gel coat prevents the haze/chalk fading of the hulls. Years ago I had a SR that faded terribly...I don't want to pay big $ for a boat that looks showroom now only to have it fade out in a few years.

Anyone have any first hand experience with newer model SRs and how the colored hulls hold up?
 
The colored hulls hold up very well but even the best gelcoat will fade if it's not properly protected.

This is just my $0.02 -- think about re-sale before you give too much consideration to the green hull. Some really like it but it's not a common color.
 
john , not only that the salesman told me he would love to sell a colored hull boat to us more$$$ for him but as a boater he warned against it noting the boat yard will not rinse off the slings on the travelift when hauling your boat and after two or three times the salt and water scuff the hull leaving scratches,, just something to think about
 
We had a brand new 2004 Regal 3560 with a navy colored hull.Quite a beauty and an awful lot of work that I didn't expect.I babied that boat for four years and with constant hull maintenance I couldn't keep up.It had to be professionally wet sanded and polished and waxed several times which only lasted for a short while.My term is (beauty and the beast).If it's a covered slip I'm sure it would be fine and maybe Sea Ray does things different.We now have a 1997 450 and four years ago she was buffed out (cream color) and she looks brand new.I will never go back to a colored hull even though they are beautiful.Good luck with your decision and congrats!
Tom
 
Love it. Keeping up with it is the key. I had to bring mine back to new, and that was a lot of work, but so far keeping it up is fine.
 
I'd go with the white hull. The colors look awesome, but in the long run, not worth it.
 
We have had no problems with our colored hull so far. It looks great- we love the look of the dark hulls.

Good luck!
 
I have had both colored and white hulls. I will only get a white hull on any future boat. I will use canvas to add color if I want. Colored hulls are tough to keep looking good over the long term.
John
 
I had two black hulls. Wouldn't have anything but white now. The scuffs are still there on the white hulls but at least they don't look so bad until you get around to shining it up again.
 
Colored hulls are for the most part are more work, but I can't be sure if it is “necessary” or it’s by desire. I am anal about keeping my waxed, but that’s me. I have seen both the white and the colored hulls look bad or look good depending on the owners care. As far as scuff marks go, they look ugly on any color. It comes down to your own preference and what you like. I fell in love with the color on my boat from the time I first saw her.

She's an 06 and I don't detect any fading.
Snow2010andMarina002.jpg
 
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Bill and John need to hold a class in their respective areas on how to keep a colored hull looking better than new!

I have a dark blue hull and wouldn't trade it. Its extra work, but the look and compliments we get more than make up for it.
 
I have had one white and two colored hull boats including my current blue 260DA. I urge you to think about re-sale before deciding on a colored hull. Green hulls are not that popular and that in and of itself will make resale more difficult. (I had a green 240SD so I know what I am saying). Black, Blue, and Pewter are generally colors that will remain popular with just about everyone in my opinion.

Beyond that it's simply a matter of whether you are willing to put in extra hours to maintain a colored hull. If the answer is no then get the white hull. If the answer is yes then find one in the color you like.

Dave
 
We had a deal on an 05 420 with a blue hull. When we pulled the boat for hull inspection we found many areas of fading and scratches which killed the deal. Apparently the boat was docked on a floating pier which caused some serious scuff marks from the fenders, only on one side. With that said, i like the look of a black hull and would purchase brand new knowing how to maintain.
 
I've owned black hulled boats for 3 1/2 years that sit in the sun all year round so I have some experience. They only need a good wax twice a year to keep them looking like new. I think the white deck is just as much work or more.
I can appreciate that white hulls put up with poor maintenance moreso than dark ones but that's not a good enough reason is it?
Not for me... I wouldn't buy a white Ferrari either.

hack4alivin has a pic of his sweetie beside his hull... maybe he can post that again.
 
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I have a black car and a blue boat. Both are more work than white but I get huge compliments on their appearance. If you will be docked in a tight slip where your fenders will have a lot of contact make sure to use fender covers and keep them clean.
 
magster65 said:
hack4alivin has a pic of his sweetie beside his hull... maybe he can post that again.
Click to expand...

There’s a picture in post 10 of this thread. It was taken several days ago in the heavy snow, and “the sweetie” would not come outside. Besides her blonde hair clashes with the boat, she not allowed in the pictures.:grin:
 
It's not easy being green! As others have said - people seem to have a problem selling the green hulls at a 25% discount (compared to white or other colors) - not just because its rare (the red is rare on a cruiser too and people seem to love em) As my father always said - theres an a$$ for every seat - just make sure yours wants to be in it for a while and you get a smokin deal - as for your original question.......I have friends with the colored hulls and I will second the fact that even salty fender covers will scratch the hull - on the flip side a buddy came back from a raft up in his blue 300 and I thought it was ruined - a day later it looked new again! He said it takes work but CAN be kept up
 
hack4alivin said:
There’s a picture in post 10 of this thread. It was taken several days ago in the heavy snow, and “the sweetie” would not come outside. Besides her blonde hair clashes with the boat, she not allowed in the pictures.:grin:
Click to expand...

Not that one... you had another picture up closer and that beautiful cinnibar is shining like a mirror... find it! :grin:

Oh... and 'the sweetie' was outside in the sun... not the snow!

Green; I like the color but I think it's better suited to a trawler style boat moreso than a sport cruiser... like black or cinnibar wouldn't really suit the trawler... imho
 
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magster65 said:
Not that one... you had another picture up closer and that beautiful cinnibar is shining like a mirror... find it! :grin:

Oh... and 'the sweetie' was outside in the sun... not the snow!

Green; I like the color but I think it's better suited to a trawler style boat moreso than a sport cruiser... like black or cinnibar wouldn't really suit the trawler... imho
Click to expand...


Ah… that one had me confused. Are you talking about this one, last March just before she was splashed?

BoatWaxing051.jpg
 
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