Hulling Paint: Cosmetic or Protective?

[greenchicken]

Before I embark on sanding and painting the exterior of my Alumacraft boat I want to know if this is purely cosmetic or does it protect the boat? The boat will be ocean water.

 

[CDoeg90]

I would go with mostly cosmetic. You may be sealing a few small holes or potential holes but it can wear easy with beaching your boat. Also interior hull paint Will do the same. If you use a rubberized coating like truck bed liner that will do better with protecting but I wouldn't use it on the hull, just on the inside for better protection and grip.