Above the water line I used Sherwin Williams oil _base_d machinery enamel. They also have a marine enamal that doesn't spread as well. Rustoleum oil _base_d paints are as good as most marine paints. If you want to go upscale you can get into the 2 part epoxy paints that do a good job.

I use a GOOD foam roller and put on 2 coats. Note: I haven't painted a boat in 10 years and a lot of new products are out there. I hope others will chime in.

Thanks gor the info guys.....

Here's where we stand today.

Boat hull was pressure washed and acid washed yesterday. Not as bad as I thought. I assume the bottom pain thats on there is coal tar. 85% of the bottom is in great condition, running from the about 10% back from the forward wtaerline, and running 10% shy of the transom. The front waterline area has some rust pitting in places, but not too bad. Same for the rear 10%.

Talked to a commercial painter that has had allot of experience with commercial applications, like sewer tanks, chemical tanks, etc. He said Coal Tar is the way to go.

Problem #1: The boat is on a trailer in the parking lot of the marina. Cant sandblast there.

Painter said that you cant put coal tar over existing coal tar, unless someone has come up with a version that he doesnt know about. I've read some on "Rust converter primers", that say and suggest Coal tar as a topping over their product.. _link_ above.

Question of the day.... can this rust converter primer go over the old coal tar bottom, then coal tar over that? Can the rust pits be filled?

looking for a good, less expensive solution than hauling. I'm not usually cheap, but lets say "currently drained".

ok.. decided to drop the money and get it done right.

Will be hiring a hauling company to haul it to my painters next week. Will be blasting off all the current bottom material, making any repairs necessary, then re-coating with two coats of coal tar epoxy. will also be painting the above waterline up to the deck with an epoxy _base_d primer and paint.

Any suggestions to the plan?

thanks for all the feedback so far....

Bill