Anti-fouling paint

[mac25wmo]

Last spring I had the bottom of my MAC 25 stripped down, blisters repaired and repainted with three coats of teflon paint. However, the contractor talked me out of having an anti-fouling paint applied, which was a mistake. Although I sail exclusively in fresh water (docked for the season on Oneida Lake in upstate NY), when I pulled the boat out this past fall the bottom needed an intense acid wash to remove the algae from the bottom.

My plan now is to apply an anti-fouling paint myself this coming spring. With that in mind, I'm looking for suggestions on the type of paint I should use (ablative, non-ablative, name brands, etc.)? I keep my boat in a slip from May - October at a marina on a fresh water lake. Ease of application and yearly maintenance is high on my priority list.

Thanks,

 

[jbwbcat30]

mac25wmo,
vc17
Teflon with copper, dries very fast.
JB

 

[dancing bear]

Agreed on VC17.

The biggest vc17 tip I received was to mix the paint and pour it into a squeeze catchup or mustard bottle. Use the squeeze bottle to dribble the paint on your roller. If you pour the paint in a roller-tray, the toxic goodness will rapidly evaporate wasting paint. I was able to paint my M25 bottom with two cans, while three was recommended.

I applied it in my driveway like you describe, although, I never got the boat completely off the trailer. I probably was able to paint 80% of the surface between the hull and bunks. If you search there are posts about how to lift the boat off the bunks, but not off the trailer, (1. lower tongue to ground, 2. block up back of boat with sawhorses and/or 4x4s, 3. raise tongue all the way). It turns out not much algae stuck on to this area anyway, which is pretty well shaded.

Others have built pretty cool lifting things out of warehouse shelf/rack (1. jack up boat on the trailer, 2. hang boat from rig, 3. drop trailer), etc... Those guys are handier than I.

 

[Justin_NSA]

All I ever hear is VC17, VC17. Don't you have to repaint every year with that stuff? The ablative paint my PO used has lasted 3 years. Seems a lot more cost effective to me. I'm just a cruiser, the fraction of a knot that teflon provides is not a deal maker with me. Just my $.02, I don't mean to attack anyone. Everyone has their reasons for the choices they make.

 

[Capt. Kermie]

My plan now is to apply an anti-fouling paint myself this coming spring. With that in mind, I'm looking for suggestions on the type of paint I should use (ablative, non-ablative, name brands, etc.)? I keep my boat in a slip from May - October at a marina on a fresh water lake. Ease of application and yearly maintenance is high on my priority list.
Thanks,

Yes folks I want to know too. Keep in mind it is only May - October so the paint will be on the hard drying in the winter.
I am in salt water is there any different paint required. I have never painted before, always wax 2-3 coats every year. I hate hauling and cleaning then fresh waxing every 4-6 weeks.

 

[cscott]

It seems that VC17 is used by many as the choice for antifouling paint on their sailboats. However, if you are a trailerable sailor with a McGregor or other trailerable brand, and haul out your boat you may want to take note of Interlux antifouling paint guide. Here is part of what they have to say about two of their antifouling paints.

From page 31 of their boat painting guide:

VC17 is considered a Hard Antifouling paint and does not retain its antifouling ability out of water, therefore, it cannot be hauled and relaunched without repainting.


Micron is a Controlled Depletion Polymer and can be hauled and relaunched without repainting. The longevity of this paint is related to the thickness of the paint as it wears down like a bar of soap as water passes across its suface.

For more info you can contact Interlux Technical Support at 1-800-468-7589.
cscott

 

[mac25wmo]

Thanks for all the input. Seeing that I will be taking the boat out and storing it for 6 months each year, I'd like to see if there is a paint that does not need any reactivation after its dried out.

I think it's worth researching the Interlux web site per cscott's advice. I'll post back once I'm done with my research and have made my selectioon.

Thanks again,
Wade

 

[cscott]

mac25wmo,
I called Interlux technical support this morning to get more info on their "Hard Antifouling Paints" like VC17. I wanted to know how soon you had to launch after painting. I was told that you had up to 60 days to launch after painting. They also said you could haul the boat out of the water for up to 60 days each time before repainting was required.

I ask about their Micron paints also. Being out of water does NOT reduce their effectiveness. They also told me the paint would not be rubbed off by the trailer bunks. I was told that MicronCSC was harder than Micron Extra.

Hope this helps,

cscott

 

[dancing bear]

I am happy with VC17, although as said above by another, I will repaint this year. The big driver for repainting is I blew off about 10% of the paint during the power wash. Touching up the bottom will take an hour or two and one to two cans of paint. All the hard work is in prepping the first year.