Painting my Big Game

To the collective wisdom,
My "stealthy" Big Game needs a bit more topside visibility. Does anyone have experience painting an OK boat? Any type of paint that might actually stick for a season or two?

Thanks,
Jay

jay,
are you really sure you want to paint it?? you could search the adverts here from our sponsors and pick up a lot of SOLAS and other make reflective tape if you're worried about being visible.. i know there is also reflective tape made for paddles that would help you in case of an emergency.....

i;m kinda worried about the chemicals in a lot of the do it yourself modern paints destroying your boat

I use to work on boats, and still work in the construction world. I wouldn't be too worried about causing any problems with the plastic in the hull. It's polyethylene and  the real problem is that nothing will stick to it very well. The few paint jobs that I've seen were really ugly.

I have seen people use bike flags and the like for additional visibility.

Hi Jay,

I second Pisco and Richard; paint won't hurt polyethylene but won't stick well.  You can use Krylon spray paints, by lightly sanding, then cleaning with denatured alcohol, then masking, then painting, but the colors are pretty ugly and will scratch off.

I also have a stealthy colored yak and here's what I do:  I wear a bright PFD (yellow or safety orange) and bought a super cheap telescopic fishing rod, a plastic flag pole base mounted towards the stern (or in a rod holder) but within reach, that the butt of the rod fits into, and a bright flag. The whole thing cost maybe $25. and is super convenient.  Even a brightly colored kayak can easily "disappear" behind a small wave, so with the flag up at 6 feet above the yak, I think it's the simplest, least expensive, and most effective solution.  If I ever have a fish on and need to collapse the rod to get it out of the way, I just reach behind me and collapse the telescopic rod.  And when there are no power boats around, and I want to sneak up on wildlife (photography) I can always revert back to stealth mode.

And as Richard said, you can use bright and reflective tape on the yak itself if you like, which could look cool too.

Wearing a brightly colored hat wouldn't hurt either.   -Matt