Hull color: White vs. Black?

[River Rat]

How big of a factor does the color really play on our boats?  What are your preferences and/or theories on the bottom color?

Scott

[fiker]

My hull is 3 toned. 

Gray under the water line.  Which I like living in Michigan.  If the fish really do care about seeing a boat, (which I doubt)  my grey hull will blend right in with our overcast skies    It also does not show the scum/dirt too bad. 

The sides of my hull are black metal flake.  They show some water spots, but not as bad as I thought it would. 

The top is a silver metal flake.  Very cool on a hot summer's day. 

I was just outside working on the boat.  It's 60 degrees and sunny.  The black portion of the boat is too hot to hold your hand on very long.  The silver portion, is just fine.

[Cy]

I can tell you right now I will NEVER buy another white boat!  It is way to hard to keep clean and requires constant care.  I would look for a nice gray or silver color.

[SethV]

Black is faster.

[bassfan586]

Grey

[Wolverines]

I would go with black.  I think it looks nicer and it's easier to keep clean.  As far as what fish see....I don't think it matters.  I think boat hulls all look black from under the water looking up.

[BryanP]

Black bottom definitely, for the simple reason of keeping it clean.  A white boat will stain especially if you fish tannic colored lakes.  You can get the stain off by using harsh cleanser, but its nasty to work with and you have to be careful to not get it on carpet, etc.

I've had 2 boats with white bottoms and 2 with black, and can't tell a difference in whether one spooked fish more than the other.

[markgoetsch]

Black all the way!

[djkimmel]

Just don't get a yellow one!!

[independentMike]

My boat is all white top to bottom being it's a bay boat. I guess if you just want to fish and park it, white is probably not the best choice. Mine gets a quick rinse down after every trip and a scrub every 2-3 trips. As far as what fish see; I think it all looks the same looking up.

[Lightningboy]

I don't think hull color makes much difference to the fish. 

Black is easy to touch up; a sharpie can hide any scratches.  But lime deposits stick out like a sore thumb.  Grey is a fine choice, just looks too plain to me though.  My hull bottom is white; takes a little work, but not really a problem. 

I take her to the DIY car wash down the street, and use a mop & bucket to spread some lime away on the hull.  Doesn't matter what color we're talking, you need to strip the old wax & any mineral deposits off the hull before you wax.  I let the cleaner sit for a couple of minutes, and then wash the hull with the wand & dry her off.  Then back to the garage for a good waxing.

I've seldom had any problems with staining.  Easy to take care of on a white boat; substitute some tidy bowl for the lime away, the staining will come right off.

If you don't strip the old wax & deposits no matter what color the hull, you're just waxing over dirt.

Wax choices make a big difference in ease of care & prevention of deposits.  I use a synthetic sealer (tech wax) on the bare hull according to direction.  Next day I throw on a coat of real carnuba wax.  The sealer is good for 2-3 months of protection, the carnuba makes it extra slippery and adds some depth to the shine.

It's just like the debate over black cars vs. white cars.  Both gotta be cared for to look good.  Buy whatever looks good to you, and keep her shiny.

[dartag]

white boats do not show sun fade.   I use vinager and water to wipe mine off everytime I take it out of the water.  Kent leaves a nasty ring you don't want to dry on your hull.  Wax it a couple times a year.    Or get a GLB wrap which covers everything and your hull will look like new when you remove it.  Maybe Dan will even pay for it.

I have even thought of getting an Aluminum boat then you never have to worry about it again.  Plus you can pull it up on all the nice rocks they are putting in the local launches.

[River Rat]

I appreciate the insight and opinions.  I am not worried about cleaning as I've used Bio-Kleen Qwik Shine for a few years on my boats and my wife even decided she loves it on her "Sun Sled" convertible.

My question revolved around the advantages of a white vs. black bottom hull boat.

Thanks,
Scott

[djkimmel]

White makes you look like a good guy. Black makes you the bad boy... but you know what they say about the bad boy...

[Lightningboy]

Hmm, my hull is white with black & red.

No wonder I want to switch black & white hats every five minutes.   

[Waterfoul]

White makes you look like a good guy. Black makes you the bad boy... but you know what they say about the bad boy...

Now I know.  Thanks Dan.

Mike "black boat bad boy" Ozinga