I just (last month) finished my chesapeake 17 from a kit. I did paint the hull white, and varnished the top of the deck. I used Interlux 1-part polyurethane for the hull - 3 or 4 coats.

My boat has been out 4 or 5 times so far, and here's what I've got:

-small scratches along the keel line from launching/landing on rocky beaches or boat launches.

-1 scratch on the side of the hull from I don't know what - probably did it during a practice paddle-float re-entry. The paint didn't chip off, and you can't really feel a scratch or anything, but it is visually there, at least from 10 ft or less.

-a few scratches on the deck from my paddle-float reentry where the paddle was under the shock cord.

Nothing major, really. I figure you just gotta live with it and at the end of the season I will sand and repaint/revarnish as needed.

Good luck!

Tom

> Hi folks,

> Im a novice in the kayaking world...

> My question comes from an ol' thread that I had found from the
> builder/owner of a Chesepeake 17 [the same model I intend to buy as kit].
> While he thoroughly enjoys the kayak he mentioned that the paint on the
> hull scratches very easily. It is the recommended Marine Paint he claims,
> but even soft sandy beach landings as well as rubbing next to a dock will
> chip or scratch the paint.

> This is the ONE thing bothering me about the idea of a painted wood kayak.
> The said kayak builder/owner sais he didnt "varnish" or
> "coat" the hull, only the unpainted wood stained top.

> So whats the low down on painted hull kayaks. Granted, any paint will
> scratch, given a hard enough knock, but this sounds a little excessive.
> Isnt there a way to actually dye or color the epoxy rather than paint over
> it and suffer the danged chips and scratches??

> This is my only standing caveat thats concerning me regarding the purchase
> of a wood kit. Any help would be most appreciated.

> Best Always,

> Peter