Boaters have been painting their boats since time immemorial. It’s an annual per-season or per-launch maintenance ritual for many. Here in the northeast, boatyards and marinas that are silent in the winter become hives of activity in early spring with everyone from professional boat painters to do-it-yourself getting ready for the season ahead. A fresh coat of paint, whether its on the hull, topside, or deck, improves your boat’s appearance and helps keep it in good condition by protecting the surfaces underneath.