Painting Cedar Lapstrake Below Waterline

[EdenRose]

I have asked before but never got a definitive answer to this. I am painting the exterior of a cedar lapstrake Herreshoff pram. I am hoping to paint topsides and below waterline same, something scrubbable and durable.
I have sanded to bare cedar. Can I get away with a topside enamel even though it is below waterline for periods in water up to two weeks, but mostly trailered? Or do I need bottom paint below waterline?
My hope is to do the following.
1.Seal with tungoil based Petit Wood Seal
2.Petit topside primer
3.Topcoat with Petit topside one part urethane.
And...
If I was to use bottompaint below waterline, would I still use the Clear Wood Sealer first?

The previous coating was boatsoup above and below the waterline. It did not bubble or peel below the waterline, given my use of the boat.
It just needs too much constant recoating. I am keeping interior, transoms and rails bright.
Thanks,
Eden Rose

[ 05-02-2004, 05:03 PM: Message edited by: EdenRose ]

[Jack Heinlen]

Well, I'm no expert on this, but to get the ball rolling.

I think, if the boat isn't going to sit for long periods in the water that topside enamel would work fine. As to primer coats, I'd follow the manufacturer's directions. Not sure about the tung oil as a first coat. The newer enamels...well I just don't know. Why not just use the proper primer?

You might also give a look for Petit's 800 number and talk to one of their techno-weenies about it.

Hopefully, someone more privy will chime in here.

[Jack Heinlen]

Bump for Edenrose. Maybe I like the name.

Surely someone here has some sound advice.

[ChuckG]

No expert here either, but FWIW, I'd not use the Tung oil sealer without clear direction in favor of it. Priming and painting as you describe should be just fine for your intended use. The only reason for bottom paint would be to keep stuff from eating or growing on the bottom of your boat, and it doesn't sound as if much marine life will have a chance to get started.
-cg

[EdenRose]

I only mention Clear Wood Sealer first because the cedar is so soft and porous. And, someone in the know at the NW Wooden Boat School (in PT)
and the paint dude at West Marine both recommend it as a first coat. I would not mind skipping it if it is unecessary.
thanks so far,
EdenRose

[Jack Heinlen]

Petit must have an 800 number. Maybe not, maybe it will cost you a few bucks to call them. It will be frustrating, no doubt, but after twenty minutes or so you'll likely be able to talk to a tech person who thinks about this stuff in their sleep.

I worry about a tung oil base under this, but it's just seat of the pants. The guys at West can be good, but I'd rather go to the horse's mouth.

[EdenRose]

I did call Petit. They recommed only 72 hour emmersion of a boat with topside enamels used below the water line or you "could have bubbling"
of the paint. I imagnine this is very conservative. They also recommend using the clear sealer above waterline only and use thinned bottom paint as the primer for later coats of bottom paint below the waterline.
That is fine with me, as bottom paint is much easier to touch up after banging the boat around on beaches.
They also say to use the 6455 Metal Primer on the copper rivets.
Anyone have some comments on the above, I am
appreciative.
EdenRose