There is a debate that rages in the narrowboat world as to whether the bottom should be painted. As far as I am concerned there is only one answer to the question: Yes it must be.
If you believe some people there is no oxygen two feet below the water surface and the bottom does not rust. Some say the paint gets worn off so it is not worth it. Let me show you two pictures of the bottom of narrowboats so you can make up your own mind. One is a boat built in 1998 that has not been painted, the other is a 1970′s boat that has, the last time about three years ago. The unpainted one has been at a mooring most of the time, the painted one is constantly cruising.
