So here's a screenshot of the lowest cost ablative bottom paint package from a very large marina in Deale, MD, south of Annapolis:
So for my 36 foot boat it would run me $810 FOR THE PAINT PACKAGE. But here's the catches:
1. This doesn't include the haulout, pressure wash, block, storage, and re-launch costs, which are additional. That'll probably run you another $400+
2. This is only for one coat of paint. That's Ok for one season, but you'll have bare spots by the end of the season if you sail it a reasonable amount. I coat with two - and put another coat on the high wear areas (e.g. front of wing keel, bow, front of rudder, etc.)
3. I've seen the guys at this marina (and its ostensibly a pretty good one) do a bottom job on a boat. They barely sand the bottom at all, and certainly don't sand and fair chipped paint, or mitigate rust on an iron keel, etc, etc. Its a quick and dirty job for that price, and they are not skilled. So you're getting a quick sand job, paint slapped on, and relaunch. That's OK, but you should really spend some time prepping the bottom so the old paint is a good surface for the new, and the new paint has good coverage.
4. You MUST replace your zincs, and you SHOULD paint your shaft and prop with something. Some just use their bottom paint (you can check that box above); others go with expensive coatings, I just use zinc paint from Home Depot which in our brackish water works as well as anything. So either you do it while its out of the water, or you'll need to add the zinc replacement, and the paint prop & shaft if you're having them do the work, so that'll add a little bit.
I haul out for winter every other year, put 2 coats of multi-year bottom paint on the boat in spring after careful prep in the fall, and then do a short haul in the intervening year to pressure wash, replace zincs, inspect, and re-launch. Its well worth my time, is less expensive, and I know she's got a solid bottom job.
. If you want to find out the quantity of paint required go to link like this Bottom Paint Calculator (bottompaintstore.com) then contact them for paint quote (hard or ablative). Consult with your boat bottom cleaning diver for paint recommendation suitable for your area and your type of boating (cruising or racing).
