Map Yachting Develops New Coating for Yacht, Motorcycles

Map Yachting Paint Systems has formulated a bespoke metallic paint shade for a Gunboat 68, a Triumph Bonneville motorcycle and a Triumph Rocket 3. Map Yachting was commissioned by Gunboat to create a silver blue metallic paint coating to coordinate the three machines; the color was chosen purposely to accentuate their lines and curves. The matching machines were captured in action in a drone video recently released by the group.

Map Yachting worked alongside Julien Denizot, Gunboat’s paint production manager, to create a palette of metallic color shades transitioning from silver, grey and blue. On approval, Map Yachting used its paint formulation and custom blend of pigments, metallic powders and additives to produce a set of metallic topcoats that combined depth of color with a consistent finish.

Primer coats and three coats of the metallic topcoat were applied by Gunboat’s professional paint team in collaboration with Naviteam. The paint was sealed and protected with multiple layers of Map Yachting’s clear coat.

According to Map Yachting, a major challenge of such a large metallic paint application is ensuring that colors are sprayed quickly and without pausing. For the 68, Gunboat’s paint team organized a team of nine: three paint spraying artisans and a mixing team of six to apply the finish.

“Map Yachting really created something special for this project. What really stands out with this yacht is how the paint team were able to create a final finish that allows this unique metallic color shade to capture the light so beautifully, whatever the weather conditions or time of day,” Denizot says.

“On the Gunboat we become accustomed to sailing faster than the wind, the performance, together with the aesthetic experience awarded by the paint work, was a dream,” adds the owner of the yacht, Jean-Pierre.