Toplac paint - a big mistake?

Hi
Brand new here, so hello.
I hoping someone will have an answer for me…
I was recently given an old wooden Mirror by friends of friends. They’d not been using it much, and then it blew over in the storms earlier this year, landed on its launching trolley and put 2 holes in the hull. They decided it was no longer worth the effort and offered It to me. I wanted a dinghy to get the children sailing, so took it on. I have no experience of boat repair, but thanks to YouTube and a number of posts on here (for which, many thanks!) I’ve completed the repairs. However, I then sanded it all down, and undercoated with International paint pre-kote. I then did 2 coats of top coat with International Toplac. I can’t remember why I thought this was correct, but something led me to think it was. I now realise Toplac is designed for above the waterline - albeit a yacht paint, so presumably for boats that will be exposed to the elements all year round. I’ve used it over the entire hull, but then my boat will be stored on land and only put into the water to sail.
So, I’m wondering if anyone else has used this paint and is it ok? Or do I need to sand it all off and start over?
Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks
James

Anything designed for above-the-waterline use on a yacht ought to be fine for the entire hull of a dinghy for at least a few years unless you're using it as a tender and towing it behind a yacht day in day out. Paints for use on yachts below the waterline are designed to sit in water full time and are likely overkill for dinghies, but they can also lull you into a false sense of security by making you think you don't need to worry about them degrading. Just get out on the water now and don't waste any of the time that's left of this season.

Many thanks David - just what I was hoping to hear!

PuffinInTegel's picture

I'm glad to hear that our community was helpful.
Top-Lac was optimized for exposed areas above the waterline and decks etc. , meaning that it willwithstand UV radiation and heat better than other paints - I believe. This does not mena that it won't work underwater, on the contrary, it should hold for years on unexposed surfaces. I have been using it for decades, literally, and only done over my hull completely at around 10-year intervals. In between, to eliminate scratches and spruce up the boat, I've sanded it over and applied a new coat at intervals of 2 to five years, depending on wear and tear.
On another note: My boat used to have white uppers and a black underwater coat. I found that this really put a strain on the hull when transporting it on the roof-rack to attend distant dinghy messabouts/raids, as it got EXTREMELY hot. As my boat's name is "Puffin"; decided to adapt the scheme to match the bird, a white belly and black on top:
Puffin in Autumn

Fantastic- thanks for the reply Puffin. You guys have set my mind at rest. It is now planned that “The Bluebird” will have her inaugural voyage under new ownership in Chichester harbour a week tomorrow!! Hopefully my carpentry is up to scratch - if not, the children and I will be found swimming somewhere between Thorney Island and the Solent!

curlew's picture

James. I agree with everything which has been said. Don't worry too much about sinking unless you have a big hole somewhere. Now is the time to get out on the water in anything which floats. Last weekend sailed from Buckler's Hard, UK, to Ashlett Creek, over night at the club pontoon, then back next day. We could not get up the river on the return as the tide was still ebbing, so we anchored by a little island of pebbles near the entrance, and then a fair wind and tide arrived to take us up the river. A great trip.

curlew's picture

Hi James
I don't know if you are experienced in sailing a Mirror.
The usual problems I see are that the boom is too low; the gaff should be pulled right up to the mast, the sail should be held down hard to the boom somehow at the clew; if all else fails use a loop of line to hold it vertically down. Make sure the mast does not slope back excessively, which will lower the boom. I suggest rigging the boat in the garden first!
Also be careful at Chichester that the tides run fast, so do not plan on going against the tide during your day.
Good sailing
david.