My Owner's Manual states that each Hatteras 50MY began with a 15 mil gel cote followed by a two-part epoxy paint. All exterior paint was by Pettit, the white was #170, my red boot stripe #676.
In the time since the paint formulation has greatly advanced despite tightening requirements to reduce VOC. At the same time bottom anti-fouling paint has attempted to be less toxic, reducing its efficiency. I guess it is in the same category as reducing diesel exhaust emissions at the expense of hugely increasing maintenance requirements.
In the past, using Awlgrip or Imron paints I found Fanfare needed repainting every 12 years or so. However I now have five years on something I believe is called Awlcraft and she still looks like new. Being mostly a southern boat I pick the brightest and most reflective white I can find. I particularly remember the next-to-last being Awlgrip Matterhorn White in order to minimize the air conditioning load (greatly appreciated as the temps in Key West this week are nearly 10 degrees above average, in the lower 90s). "Hatteras White" is considerably darker and creamier in color.
As previously advised, get your Owner's Manual from Hatteras. It has all kinds of important information such as wiring and plumbing diagrams. Just bear in mind that prior owners may have made undocumented changes through the years.
