Re: Painting your logs??
this is just my very limited experience talking, so please take it with a grain of salt.
In nov/ dec 2010 I purchased a 1988 tracker 20ft pontoon, (still working on it....limited funds) it had sat uncared for on the water since 1988 (fresh water) before being placed in the lake the pontoons were both painted with what appears to be a white epoxie base paint, it is absolute hell getting it off. So after 22 yrs give or take on the water what i found is that at the waterline there was erosion to the paint...., under the pontoons paint has calcification but was largely intact... above the water like a small amount of chalking but in decent shape..... but at the waterline where through some action the paint failed corrosion was much faster acting and more concentrated then other locations. I have since then been paying attention and have noted that a small percentage of pontoons have painted pontoons.... my buddies crownline pontoon was factory painted above the waterline but not below it. That said... the previous owner of my boat told me about 10yrs ago they patched a spot on the pontoon with JB weld.... I found it this weekend... ugly job of a patch but it seems to have held.... I intend to repair it properly, but felt the need to mention that the repair survived.
I think the choice of paint or no paint is personal.... either is acceptable as long as it is done nicely. I think that for long term submersion proper paints could save you from corrosion unless compromised in which case they could easily create a hot spot. I think the primary reason for the corrosion on the waterline of the pontoon boat i purchased was due to the air water interface and scrubbing action of the water as it and debris moved on the sides. that coupled with the iron/steel supports for the dock she was moored at causing galvanic corrosion once aluminum was exposed.
not sure if this will help or hurt your decision making process but felt it might allow for a more informed decision.
sean
