Bottom Paint Performance

Don S/V ILLusion · Dec 17, 2009

My perceptio is that the farther south one goes, the more important this becomes. I used to be able to get away with using the so-called single season West CPP for two seasons regardless of the fact the boat was on the hard for the winter and noticed it performed well regardless of the fact it dried out. After the second year, there wasn't enough remaining to chance a third and as you well know, the longevity of any ablative is a function of how much use wears away as the boat gets used.
Here in Florida, life is different in many respects including which bottom paint(s) are acceptable. Growth including slime are ceaseless problems here requiring more available copper but with the ability to dive on the bottom year-around, cleaning becomes an option to extent the life of bottom paint.
So, location and maintenance again seem to trump all other considerations from my perspective when selecting the "best" bottom paint.
The irony of it all is how many boats I see getting TBT paint right along side us who are relegated to copper.

higgs · Dec 17, 2009

The vast majority of boats here on the Great Lakes use VC 17. Since it is so thin, one does not get a buildup so sanding for many of us is a thing of the past. Prep is quick and easy Some guys around here even get 2 seasons out of a coat.

CalebD · Dec 17, 2009

I can't comment on Petit Hydrocoat but I have also been using the WM CPP and been happy enough with the results. Our boat is in the brackish section of the Hudson River where anything can happen. On years where there is little rainfall barnacles can be a real problem that requires at least 1 prop cleaning. This year there was a ton of rain in June and there were very few barnacles but a lot of slime.
I think that Don is right in that there does not seem to be a 'magic bullet' for bottom painting and that some bottom and prop cleaning while in the water is normal maintenance. Also depends on your location.

JerryA · Dec 17, 2009

I can get two seasons in Lake Erie using VC17m. I wouldn't recommend three years. I had a bit more growth at the water line after three years. It goes on easy and the prep is just a good powerwash.

JerryA

tommays · Dec 17, 2009

In 2008 i went cheep and used Fiberglass Bottomkote® ACT with Irgarol and it was like a snow storm every time i cleaned the bottom and it was GONE in one season BUT no barnacles

In 2009 i used Micron Extra with Biolux and there was very rub off when cleaning and plenty of paint left for 2010

Nereussailor · Dec 17, 2009

I used Interlux Micron 66 and got one season out of it down here in Florida. I ended up with barnacles and a light fur coat. When the diver came out to scrub. no matter how light he scrubbed, the bottom coat came off with the fur. Everyone down here recommends Petit, and now I know why. Next spring on haul out, I plan on changing over to Petit. I'm not sure which one yet, I'll research that over the winter.

Dave

BarryL · Dec 17, 2009

Hello,

I used the Hydrocoat in 2008. It worked OK, not great, but OK. Probably about the same as West CPP. I didn't have a lot of barnacles, but a lot of slime. This year I tried Ultima SSA. It didn't work as well as the Hydrocoat. Next year I might try Micron CSC.

My sailing area is the Long Island Sound. My boat gets launched at the end of April and hauled in November. I usually scrub the bottom in July and again in Sept.

Barry

JustDucky · Dec 18, 2009

Here on the Mystic River in CT, I have used Petit Hydrocoat for 4 years and have had no problem. I winter in the water one year and pull the next winter.

Dan Johnson · Dec 18, 2009

Warren...

I've been using Micron CSC for the past five years (and the previous two owners used it too). I've been satisfied with its performance here at the top of the Bay with its brackish waters.

On the previous boat I used WM's CPC with some peeling in sheets at application time the third year--possibly due to a change in manufacturers and the solvent they used, creating an incompatibility issue.

One of the boats on my dock uses a water based bottom paint (could be Hydracoat) with good results. He's a racer and regularly cleans his bottom before each race, which could make a difference. It seems to have easy prep and goes on easy as well.

DougM · Dec 18, 2009

I've used VC17 with good success. Its easy to apply, prep is simply a good cleaning. ou can launch 20 minutes after application, and many here can go two seasons. I sail in Lake Michigan, so salt and Barnacles are not a problem. Zebra Mussels are prevalent, but they don't seem to like the VC17.

The problem for me is that I am contemplating moving the boat to lower Chesapeake bay... Now what do I use? I don't like the buildup I have seen on the bottoms of many boats, and I don't want anything that will slow the boat down, be it heavy bottom paint or barnacle and slime buildup.

woodster · Dec 18, 2009

you may want to investigate "SHIPBOTTOM" paint from ft myers fl ....you an by 5 gallon ,or a qt ....
regards
woody

Maine Sail · Dec 18, 2009

We used...

Used Pettit Horizons which is a multi-season ablative haul/re-launch capable paint. It was used as a "hot coat" to my barrier coat and tech support from both Pettit and Interlux advised a non-slime blocking ablative to be used as a hot coat.

Unfortunately Horizons does not have an added slime blocker like Irgarol or Biolux and I had slime growth by the end of the season. I use Pettit ablatives because they actually slough at significantly lower speeds, 2-3 knots, than do the Micron line of paints. ACT sloughs at a low speed but CSC or CSC Extra (Micron Extra) don't really begin to slough until 6-7 knots.

I will likely go back to Pettit Ultima SR-60 which has Irgarol in it. I won't need to paint this spring but will use Ultima SR-60 the next seasosn unless they come out with Hydrocoat with Irgarol.

The key with ablatives for me are to find one that is haul/re-launch capable without loosing efficacy and also one that sloughs and does as it should on a sail boat. Another key to ablatives is to NOT paint it until it wears to the trace color. Rolling on new ablative every year defeats the key cost savings of ablatives..

Sumner · Dec 18, 2009

Is anyone using West Marine's PCA Gold? It has Ingarol added.

We are thinking of using it on our Mac that is on the trailer 90% of the time, but hopefully will be in the water for 3 months this time next year in Florida and maybe the Sea of Cortez the following year.

Our bottom is really nice now with no bottom paint or blisters, but I'm thinking of adding the protection of Pettit's 4700 barrier coat and being done with that and using the West Marine PCA over it.

The PCA did very well in a bottom paint review of dozens of bottom paints that was done over time periods of 6 months, 12 months and 24 months with test panels in both Florida and Conn.

MrBill who posts regularly on the Mac Forum sent it to me (thanks Bill) and if anyone would like a copy of it in a pdf format PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you a copy. It was a good article for someone like me who didn't understand these paints at all a few weeks ago, except in the most general terms.

They give ratings for performance for 6 months and 12 months for all the paints in both locations and tell you the copper content and anti-slime agent along with the maker of the paint. They also give rating for some of the paints over 2 year period and break it down into 'hard paints' and ablatives.

c ya,

Sum

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Maine Sail · Dec 18, 2009

Sumner said:
Is anyone using West Marine's PCA Gold? It has Ingarol added.

PCA Gold is basically a Pettit Ultima SR variation. It's decent stuff at a decent price IMHO. I used it for two seasons on the bottom of our current boat before I stripped it, faired it and barrier coated it.

I will probably go back to Ultima SR-60 only because it has a slightly higher copper content as I only paint when it absolutely needs it. I hate build up!

Sumner · Dec 18, 2009

Maine Sail said:
PCA Gold is basically a Pettit Ultima SR variation. It's decent stuff at a decent price IMHO. I used it for two seasons on the bottom of our current boat before I stripped it, faired it and barrier coated it.

I will probably go back to Ultima SR-60 only because it has a slightly higher copper content as I only paint when it absolutely needs it. I hate build up!

Thanks, the review I have said the PCA was made by Pettit and it said the copper on the PCA was 40% and the SR was 60%, so that goes along with what you are saying.

I think we are mostly concerned with the slime for the period of time we will be in the water and we want something that will work after being out of the water for some time.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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Moody Buccaneer · Dec 18, 2009

Maine Sail said:
PCA Gold is basically a Pettit Ultima SR variation. It's decent stuff at a decent price IMHO. I used it for two seasons on the bottom of our current boat before I stripped it, faired it and barrier coated it.

I will probably go back to Ultima SR-60 only because it has a slightly higher copper content as I only paint when it absolutely needs it. I hate build up!

I wish I could do that here ... My boats are in Mexico, To keep the bottoms clean the diver has to be out every three weeks! Pettit SR seems to be the choice for all the fast sports fishers ... for slow hulls there is a Mexican paint that I paid 2100 Pesos ($168) per gallon for. In Canada a gallon of bottom paint was good for two seasons. Down here, with a diver cleaning every three weeks using two gallons of paint was the economical choice. If I get a year out of it on the sailboat I'll be a happy camper.

Pettit seems to be the choice for warmer water here, in cooler water the Interlux line seemed to be the choice.

Blitz · Dec 18, 2009

I've used Micron CSC for the past two seasons - worked well even the second season-no hard growth. We have issues around august each year when things warm up, so I pity the warmer water boats - a soft scrub gains a knot or two.

Just curious - what is the prep after using a multi-season ablative for two years before recoating? just a powerwash and an a scrub or are we all sanding them again to the barrier coat? Think a power washer can do as well with less work - thoughts?

bffatcat · Dec 19, 2009

bottom paint

used pettit horizons ablative for years and it worked very welll About 3 years ago I came across an old article on paint testing in the practical sailor. They rated Donovan Marine ablative B very high. I tried it 3 seasons ago and im glad I did. It worked equally welll very little growth, no barnicles. Ive used it ever since. I do not clean my bottom mid season.
I sail in New england, cold water One more benifit. It costs about 1/2 as much as Pettit Horizons

seadaddler · Dec 19, 2009

UP North

When I was living up on Long Island,NY I just power washed and no sanding just bottom paint Pettit.
I moved the boat to Florida last year and while on east coast Florida we power washed no sanding and used Pettit SR 60 and now on west coast Florida and I can't believe how well it has done,I have not scrubed the hull once but after leaving for the summer three months did dive and need to clean the prop,my folding prop would not open at all it was so loaded with barnacales but the hull had some slim and just sailing alot cleaned it up real good,it will be one year Jan and looking good last time I looked.
I need to find the place I got it on the interent at a very good price but can't seem to find where I got it so far.
Nick