Gunsmoke Blue

[Figment]

Here are a couple of my opinions on making Stars & Stripes blue (I liked it better when it was gunsmoke blue, personally) look good. Or at least what makes it look good in my mind.

1. There needs to be a clear demarcation between the hull and deck. A varnished wood toerail/rubrail would be excellent, or, lacking that, a nice gold leaf cove stripe. Both together would be nice, actually. There needs to be a significant contrast to bring the blue to life.

2. Boottop and bottom color choices are important. There aren't that many options that would truly look good. I'd go with a double white boot top, as a single white would be too plain in this instance. I don't think red would have the proper contrast with this blue, and can't quite envision how something like green would work, either. Maybe silver, but that may not be enough contrast. An off-white like you used on deck might work too, and "warm" things up a little. The problem with off-white boottops is that they mostly just look like they should be white, but have become dirty or stained.

One could get really snazzy and put some red in between the double white, where it would stand out. That might be a little jazzy for a Triton, though.

For bottom paint, I'm afraid that black would be the best choice; I normally don't care much for black bottoms, but don't see another good option here. Dark gray, if you can find it. I sure wish we could still use the bright colors of TBT-based paints! Sadly, the paint worked, so of course it couldn't be used any longer.

3. I think you should definitely try this color. It is still unique, and can be a real standout when used correctly. Hull #124 used to be painted this color, though she's now claret. The photos I saw of the boat when she was freshly painted with the blue looked nice.

Feel free to completely ignore my unsolicited opinions!

Oh, I'm trying this color! just as soon as I can scrape together enough time to actually sand and fair the topsides!!

1. Agreed, absolutely. A wooden toerail is definitely in the plan, but almost certainly not in the same winter as the paintjob. I may need to paint a false sheerstrake or come up with some other linemaking strategy.

1a. My off-white deck and cabin don't really help create that contrast, I recognize. but I just couldn't bring myself to do a bright white. My eyes just can't take the glare.

2. Yeah, boot top is important. by the time I'm done with a bootstripe and a sheer stripe I may not have much topsides left to paint! ;)
I'm thinking silver.

for bottom paint, I was afraid that "shark white" was the only choice, but yeah I can see how black could work. Oh, how I hate black bottompaint though. Bad childhood memories.

3. So wait.... there was another triton that tried this color and went to red after the fact? hmmmmmm. I sense a trend.

[Tim]

for bottom paint, I was afraid that "shark white" was the only choice, but yeah I can see how black could work.

Shark White would be just fine as a color if it would only stay the color that it is when applied.

I absolutely hate how it turns verdigris green at the waterline after a couple weeks--totally eliminates this paint from any consideration.

Interestingly, my Seabreeze is currently painted with shark white bottom paint...with a white boottop butting directly against with no space, and no contrast. What was the PO thinking, anyway? I can't wait to grind this off.

So wait.... there was another triton that tried this color and went to red after the fact? hmmmmmm. I sense a trend.

New ownership and 10 years since the original paint = time for something new.

[Tim]

Here is an example of a hull that looks good in Stars & Stripes blue. (This is a fiberglass Beetlecat.)



The color on this boat doesn't make it, at least in my eyes. The details are all wrong: bottom color, boot color, insufficient abutting varnish.



And here's the namesake. I couldn't find any really good pictures on short notice.



The 1987 America's Cup was excellent to watch on TV. Remember when they actually used to sail in wind? This was good stuff. My favorite moment was when DC's genoa ripped away, and, sailing on main alone while the headsail was changed, he still covered and stayed ahead of the Kooks on an upwind leg in 25 knots of wind. Impressive stuff.

We haven't seen images like this one from any of the recent America's Cups. To briefly continue my reminiscing, I think the '87 America's Cup might have been the event at its finest hour.