Bottom Painting

[Callipygian]

Can you apply ablative bottom paint directly over awlgrip? Well, I called awlgrip and they said I needed several coats of an epoxy barrier paint first so I guess that answers that question. I was wondering if it was really necessary to paint the sides of the boat from the point they touch the water to the stern. I really like the look of the hull without bottom paint and the sides would be easy brush off. I was planning on painting the stern below the engine bracket. Can u just paint the bottom if you use the boat freqently? Geoffrey