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I often read about the ill effects of leaving a Boston Whaler in the water without a barrier coat, My 1991, 17' Montauk has spent its entire seasonal life, May 1 through October 31, either on a mooting or slip in Cape Cod waters. The boat is bottom painted, the only growth or negative issue I've ever experienced is barnaclles on the transom saver block for my transducer, and a slight scum line from the stern towards the bow that starts at approximately a half inch wide and tapers to nothing. This line is easlily removed with a sponge and saltwater, this wouldn't even occur but I've never liked the way bottom paint looked on the side of a boat, my bottom paint is only applied to the bottom and extends vertically at the transom to meet the directional change of the hull. The boat does not appear to have taken on any water weight, and the gel coat still shines like a new penny with only minimal attention. I may be missing something but for a boat approaching her 30th birthday, it's holding up pretty well.