Painting your boat is an excellent alternative to getting a new boat. The paint protects the materials the boat is made from and prevents a lot of future complications. The paint also makes the boat more aesthetically appealing and that increases the value of the vessel.
There is a lot to consider when you are painting a boat. Two of the top considerations are whether to hire a professional to do the painting or should you take a plunge and paint your own vessel? If you hire a pro you know it will cost more to get the boat painted, but if you do the work yourself you have to have the time, the place, and the right equipment to do the job.
We talked to several boat owners, marina keepers, and marine painting specialists to try and discern the average cost of painting a boat, and if it is possible for the average person to do this work themselves.
Professional Painter Vs DIY Boat Painting
The first thing that people normally consider about boat painting is the cost. We all know that hiring a professional is more expensive than doing the work for ourselves. The only way to truly evaluate the savings is to break down what it costs in paint and supplies and compare it to what the pros cost.
You also have to consider the equipment you will need and the time you will invest in the project. Your time is valuable, and if you are like the majority of the world, you have limited amounts of it, so take into consideration how much work and time you will be doing before you agree that DIY is cheaper.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Professional to Paint Your Boat?
The professional painters are most likely going to charge per linear foot, and those charges are going to depend on whether you are painting the topside of the boat or if the bottom hull needs some paint.
| Professional Rates | Per Linear Foot |
| Topside Painting Cost | $15 to $100 |
| Bottom Painting Cost | $30 to $125 |
These painting prices are obviously related to large vessels that have upper decks. There are also boats that are much smaller than require painting, and the smaller boats do not generally have an upper and lower section. They have an internal and external configuration.
Linear feet is the easiest measurement calculation linear is s term that tells you how many feet are in the boat. You measure the length of the boat and divide it by 12 to get the linear foot.
A lot of painters do not charge by the linear foot, they charge by the square foot. Normally you calculate square feet by measuring the length and the width of an item, then you multiply the length times the width. That figure will get you an approximation of the boat size, but it will not give you an absolute accurate square foot.
On a boat, things are curved so the straight-line measurements of length times width do not compute accurately. Most people who work on the surfaces of boats use linear measurement because of this.
Cost Estimates to Hire a Boat Paint Professional
| Low-Cost Estimate | Higher Cost Estimate | |
| Topside 25’ boat | $375 labor only | $2500 labor only |
| Bottom side 25’ boat | $750 labor only | $3125 labor only |
| Small Vessels | $15 per foot labor only | $100 per foot labor only |
Estimating the Cost of DIY Boat Painting
If you decide that you might want to try painting your own boat then you need to know what equipment is needed, what paint to use, how much the paint costs, and more.
Equipment is a big deal when it comes to painting a boat. You have to have the boat out of the water, in a secure location where it is off of the trailer so that all portions of the boat are within easy reach, and you must have the right equipment to lift the boat from the trailer.
Hoists mounted in the ceiling of a garage are one method of lifting a smaller boat off of the trailer so it can be painted. Larger vessels that have an upper deck and a below section with living quarters, etc. need to be professionally lifted from the water using equipment designed specifically for this task. This special lifting equipment is one of the reasons why professional painters charge so much to paint a boat bottom.
Equipment for Spray Painting of DIY Boat Painting
- Sander and sandpaper
- Spray paint gun
- Air compressor
- Primer
- Paint
- Sealing coat
- Clean dry cloths
- Stirring sticks to stir the paint
- Mineral spirits or turpentine to clean up the equipment
Equipment for Roller and Tip of DIY Boat Painting
- Sander and sandpaper
- Roller
- Roller covers
- High-quality paint brush
- Paint tray
- Paint stirrers
- Primer
- Paint
- Sealing coat
- Clean dry cloths
- Mineral spirits or turpentine
You start to paint the boat by removing all of the hardware and trim from the boat. Be easy when you remove these things because you do not want to damage them.
The Paints you must have:
| Low cost | High cost | |
| Primer | $27.98 gallon | $60 a gallon |
| Marine paint | $22.98 a gallon | $200 a gallon |
| Marine clear coat | $25.47 a gallon | $125 a gallon |
You must primer a boat before you paint a boat because the primer conditions the material and prepares the boat so that the paint will properly adhere. The primer also prevents rust and corrosion and protects other surfaces from moisture-related damages or damages from wind, sun, and fluctuating temperatures.
The paint is the item that brings color and excitement to the vessel. You have to buy specialized paints that are meant to be used on watercraft. Typical paint, even automotive paints will not be suitable for use on water-destined vessels. You will note that all of the good marine paints are not water-based.
Type of Paints You Use for Boat Painting
- Single-part enamels can be used but they are not recommended if you want the paint to last for a long time. These paints are susceptible to sun damage and if you choose to use them, they will fade quickly, become dull, and give unsatisfactory protection to the surface areas of the hull.
- Single-part polyurethane paints are highly recommended for anyone painting a watercraft and also watching their budget closely. These are the least expensive of the polyurethane paints and they do provide a nice gloss that will be very durable for long periods of time.
- Two-part polyurethane paint is the top choice of all professional marine painters. This paint will last the longest, give the most protection, and create a fantastic shine on the exterior of the vessel. These are the most costly of the marine paints and they are also the hardest ones to use because they require specific mixing in order to get the best results from them you must pay close attention to the humidity and temperature on the day you want to paint.
How Much Paint to Buy for Painting a Boat – Estimated Cost
If you choose to buy the highest quality paints, primers, and clear coatings then you will probably need one coat of primer, one coat of color, and two or more coats of the clear sealer.
| Boat length | Applying one coat | Cost |
| Under 25’ | 2-quarts | $11.49 – $30 |
| 20’ to 25’ | 3-quarts | $ 17.26 – $45 |
| 25’ – 30’ | 1 gallon | $ 27.98 – $60 |
| 32’ – 37’ | 1 gallon + 2 quarts | $39.47 – $90 |
| 38’ – 40’ | 1 gallon + 3 quarts | $45.23 – $105 |
| 41’ – 42’ | 2 gallons | $55.96 – $120 |
| 50’ – 52’ | 3 gallons | $83.94 – $180 |
Clear Coat
You can estimate how much clear coat to purchase by doubling the amount of paint you buy. If you buy one gallon of paint then buy 2-gallons of the clear coat. You want the option to apply several coats of clear coating. This is the highest protective payer and it is also what creates the shine and depth in the paint finish.
Primer Paint & Clear Coat Cost Estimates
| Boat length in foot | Primer | Paint | Clear Coat | Total |
| Under 25’ | $11.49 – $30 | $11.49 – $30 | $25.47 – $125 | $50 – $185 |
| 20’ to 25’ | $ 17.26 – $45 | $ 17.26 – $45 | $31.34 – $175 | $75 – $265 |
| 25’ – 30’ | $ 27.98 – $60 | $22.98 – $200 | $50.94 – $250 | $105 -$510 |
| 32’ – 37’ | $39.47 – $90 | $35 – $250 | $63.67 – $300 | $138 – $640 |
| 38’ – 40’ | $45.23 – $105 | $98 – $325 | $89.13 – $325 | $165 – $755 |
| 41’ – 42’ | $55.96 – $120 | $125 – $375 | $101.88 – $300 | $280 – $800 |
| 50’ – 52’ | $83.94 – $180 | $200 – $500 | $189.13 – $500 | $375 – $1200 |
Disclaimer:
All price quotes are averages and do not reflect the exact amount you will pay but are intended to give you an idea of how much the items will cost. Each location, paint brand, and manufacturer will increase or decrease the cost of painting supplies so you should compare prices in your local area.
A complete video guide for boat painting 101
Final Thoughts
Painting a boat is quite an undertaking. It requires a lot of patience and time because the boat has to be immaculately prepared, then flawlessly primed, then the paint and clear coat must be applied with precision. You can save a lot of labor costs by doing this work for yourself, but you must also be ready to invest a lot of time, labor, sweat, and hard work to get the job completed.
You can often save a lot of money when doing this work by renting the tools you need rather than buying them outright. Another big money saver is to go in with another boat owner so you can buy primer, paint, and clear coat in larger five-gallon quantities which will add up to significant savings.
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