Why We're NOT Painting Our Aluminum Catamaran: Build Progress & Decisions

Hull Finishing Decisions

• 💡 The team discusses the decision not to paint the exterior hull of their aluminum catamaran, after considering various options like fairing, painting, wrapping, or leaving it raw.
• ⚠️ Concerns about painting aluminum boats include potential moisture intrusion leading to flaking, cracking, and oxidation, especially around fittings.
• 🛠️ Drilling through paint for deck fittings can compromise the protective layer, allowing moisture ingress and subsequent oxidation, which the team wants to avoid.

Progress in the Build

• 🎨 The engine room is being painted, a challenging task due to awkward positions, with one team member expressing regret about the difficulty.
• ⚡ Significant progress is being made on pulling wires for both AC and DC systems in the hull.
• 🪞 Sanding is underway on the sides of the hull in preparation for installing side and salon windows next week.
• 🎣 New additions include a fishing rod holder, with plans to adapt it for hanging gear to dry, such as BCDs and fins.

Mental Health and Well-being

• 🧠 The speaker shares personal reflections on a challenging year, emphasizing the impact of loss and life changes on personal patterns and stress.
• 🧘‍♀️ Working with a therapist has provided tools to manage stress, recognizing that it resides not only in the mind but also in the body, requiring physical methods like meditation and movement to close the stress cycle.
• 🤝 BetterHelp is highlighted as an accessible platform to connect with credentialed therapists online, offering support for those feeling stuck or seeking guidance.

Bilge Painting Rationale

• ❓ Despite the decision not to paint the exterior, the bilges and engine room are being painted to provide protection against galvanic corrosion and electrolysis.
• 🔩 These areas are prone to issues from dropped tools or small stainless steel components like bilge pump motors sitting in water, necessitating a protective coating.

The 'Lic' Coating and Aesthetic Choices

• ✨ The team is applying a product called 'Lic', a polymer that adheres directly to the aluminum to prevent oxidation and the formation of unsightly gray streaks.
• 🎨 The raw aluminum look is preferred for its functional and tough aesthetic, with no desire to cover it and make it look like other boats.
• 🚫 Patterns in sanding are typically used to hide fabrication imperfections, but the team is proud of their workmanship and feels it doesn't need such concealment.
• 💧 Solid tow rails are installed to channel rainwater and prevent streaks by directing water off the aft of the boat, mitigating the issue of constant drizzle causing discoloration.

Cost and Time of Painting

• 💰 The cost of properly fairing, priming, and painting an aluminum boat can range from $100,000 to $150,000 AUD (approximately $100,000 USD).
• ⏳ This extensive process can take a minimum of three months, with some estimates suggesting it could be longer and more costly.

Plumbing System Overhaul

• 💧 A significant project involves organizing the plumbing system in the forward locker, including rainwater catchment to a tank, filtering, and distribution to port or starboard tanks.
• ⚙️ Electrically operated valves are being installed to control water flow, allowing selection between draining overboard or filling tanks, and for managing freshwater pump sources.
• 🛠️ The manifold system is being set up on a bench for organization and clean installation, with provisions for venting lines and tanks, and managing black water systems.
• 🔧 Challenges include sourcing specific parts, but progress is being made on fabricating mounts and installing deck fills, with a focus on ensuring the plumbing doesn't impede locker storage.