Underside of floor paint question

[kenmclaughlin]

Yesterday, I was installing a new depth finder and as I was running the transducer line I was underneath my pontoon and began to think if there is a benefit to painting the exposed wood on the bottom of the floor? I have a 2006 Harris Classic 240. I did a brief search through this site as well as online, and most of the results are for painting the aluminum frame, not the wood. I am thinking it it would be worth it to help prolong the wood if I painted it? Would it preserve it or would it cause it to end up holding more moisture? I'm sure I'm not the first one to think this so any help is welcome!

I'm in western PA, so the 60 degree sunny day yesterday definitely meant time to work on the boat! Thanks everyone.

[sunedog]

I've owned 5 pontoons over 33 years and have been a frequent reader / contributor to multiple boating forums. I've never heard of anyone painting the underside wood. If it was a good idea, it would be known. High end manufacturers would also do it. (it would be super simple to paint the plywood before it was installed.). I speculate people don't do it because it seals in moisture. Bare wood dries out when the boat is not being used.

[Marc K]

I have no direct knowledge about this, but my experience with wood and building things makes me feel like Sundog is likely correct.

Marc

[kenmclaughlin]

Sunedog, I appreciate you sharing your experience. It was a question that I was wondering and am glad to hear that it isn't something that is done, because I don't want to add any more work, LOL. Thanks again.

[jays0n]

I've seen the after effects of painting 1 side of a fence, Sunedog is 100% correct. It will trap moisture and rot the wood much much faster, even if it's cedar like the fence was.

[curtiscapk]

Agreed always heard no paint!