Re-fairing / Painting a hull bottom

[BluWaterNC]

I want to re-fair and re-paint my entire boat. The boat is a 1988 wellcraft scarab sport. I know the boat could be put on blocks and stands but is there another way? Could the boat be rotated upside down or on its side assuming the motors, oil, gas, and water tanks drained and removed?

Any other ideas? Im not too crazy about laying under a boat and having to work on something above me. I would rather be on top of it working down. I also feel like it would be much easier to look at the quality of work this way. Has anyone done something like this?

This would only be for fairing... i would put it back on blocks for painting.

[320es]

Back in my younger days I repainted my first boat, a 16' Barretta, and I turned it upside down with a couple of cherry pickers and a chain hoists off of a beam. I wouldn't want to try it with anything bigger.

[glassdave]

yes having the boat upside down will make it much easier. I look at it this way the effort it takes to de-rig and actually roll the boat over is far less than trying to deal with fairing the boat on your back. Its a total pain to sand upside down. I have a 20 cig in my shop right now getting blueprinted, i will post some pics of the process in a few days . Have you considered gel coat over paint? Durability is much higher in the long run.

[BluWaterNC]

Well the reading that i have done indicates that re-painting is a lot easier on a novice than re-gelling. I have some fairing experince but really no painting experince. I was planning on using interlux perfection paint. Im not sure if this would work on the bottom though even though the boat will be trailored?

Either way it will be a while before i get ready to tackle this project. Im just trying to get a game plan together and an idea of the amount of money im going to need. I want to have everything ready to go when i start.

[madbouyz]

Absolutely ..

If your going to have everything (engines , tanks etc) out of the boat then by all means flip it !

I've done both of mine and the cost of getting a knowledgeable skilled crane operator to roll it over and then back upright is worth every penny !

Certainly fair , sand , and prime everything while it's upside down but if you can finish the hull bottom once and for all then DO IT ! You'll more than likely never have it inverted again .. Unless you're a really unlucky driver

[PARADOX]

I have a similar problem. 1994 Infinity, redish, burgundy color.
The boat needs to be sold, but it would take to much effort to rub out the fadded gelcoat. No one wants an all burgundy collored boat anyway, and don't ask why I ordered it in dark color. Long story. I don't want to flip it but I have to white it out. Paint to use? Primer? How on earth would I put the cleats back once I remove them? since they are bolted not screwed.
I need a one page lesson here. Help.!!

Dave !! could you call me for a few ? (541) 504-3635

Thx
Peter