When the boat is done and you want to protect the bottom there is a trick that I do for my boats and it does offer a lot of protection.
Use some epoxy and graphite powder to coat the bottom and a couple of inches up each side of the boat.
Tape off the sides where you want it and then mix up some epoxy and add the graphite powder then roll it out on the bottom.
Three coats, one coat per day over three days, will do the job very nicely. Make the coats light and they will build up. Much more so than just applying coats of epoxy.
To get a nice tapered edge to the graphite that transitions smoothly to the rest of your hull, move the tape about 1/8" further up the sides with each coat. That way the 3 layers won't build up a step or ridge.
The 1st coat you will still see some of the wood, the 2nd coat should cover it so very little or no wood shows thru then the 3rd coat is the final one. Let it cure two weeks and it will protect the bottom from scratches and a hidden benefit is it also makes the bottom of the boat slippery and easier to paddle thru weeds or over logs.
To mix this you need to use a container that this can be mixed in. It is VERY messy so wear gloves and don't plan on using that container again.
Mix some resin and hardener into the cup, now add about three or 4 spoons of the graphite powder and stir it really well so no lumps are there. Stir it again just to make sure it is mixed. General guideline if about 20-30% by volume.
At this stage I pour it in a paint tray and get the roller and roll it out on the boat. Let it dry overnight and then repeat the process.
Just make sure this is the LAST thing you do to the boat because nothing will stick to this mix.
If you decide to sand it to make it ultra-smooth, that's EXTREMELY messy process.
But the end result is a tough bottom that resists scratching.
He had a smooth looking finish with the graphite
