Glen Justice

Purists will tell you that white is the only color for a boat – white hull, white sails, white canvas – because it is easier to see at night in a rescue situation. But I have always liked a colored hull, figuring it gives the boat some character, and that the handheld VHF, EPIRB and my bald head would serve as beacons after dark.

Then, I saw the boat pictured above. Now, I must give the owner credit for boldly going where few fishing boats this size have gone. And in the abstract, purple is a great color. My house is purple.

But at this point, I simply have to ask: What is up with the pastels?

Pursuit

I first noticed that we were becoming a pastel nation at last year's Annapolis Boat show and since then I see pastels everywhere. Feasome fishing machines are being churned out in pale blues and yellows.

Not that there is anything wrong with it. They are still pretty boats. It's just...odd.

Maybe its our love of the the Caribbean and that sultry island vibe. Maybe we spent too long in Margaritaville. Either way, I find it really strange.

Odder still is that I seem to have embraced it.

I have a reoccurring dream about getting a small, fast fishing boat to play with. Not the full tuna tower rig. Just a little center console. Maybe it could be a test boat for Mad Mariner. Or perhaps just a toy. Whatever the case, it would be faster that my 10-knot trawler and much easier to clean. In the dream – night or day – the boat I envision is always pale green. Go figure.
Regulator Marine

The truth is that colored hulls are pretty, but they are also a pain in the transom. They show every scrape, rub and gouge. And, if you have a dark hull as I do, they show dirt, too.

As those of you reading along know, I recently pulled my boat out and there's no better time to see all the scuffs I inflicted on my dark blue hull. Now, the yard wants to know what color paint to use, so I have some research to do. It's not a big deal, just a call to the dealer or the manufacturer. But it's one more thing to add to a list that is already riduculously long.

My real fear is that they will have trouble matching it due to fade. I have tried to take good care of the boat, and I doubt that in the couple years I've owned her that the paint has faded dramatically. But I won't know until they jump in and do the work. I'm fearing a call from the yard saying, "your boat is now a two tone kinda thing – don't worry, it's nice."

I wish I had a better gallery to show the true perils of a colored hull, but the pictures below should give you some idea. Maybe those purists had it right – white might just be alright.

Glen JusticeA leak from the anchor locker drain gives the boat a "runny nose" look.

Glen JusticeThe white spot is where a ball fender rubbed the boat when locked in ice the previous winter.

Glen JusticeHere you can get a sense how dirt and dings show, though it is far more dramatic in person.