Ablative vs Modified Epoxy Paint for Club Racing

[Joe Dowling]

I am considering changing over to ablative bottom paint because of the ease of maintenance (no annual sanding) and the reluctance of many d-i-y yards to let you sand in their yards. Does anyone have any experience with the new ablative paints with regards to the club racing circuit? Are they faster, slower or about the same as the modified epoxy paints? Would you still have to clean the bottom during the season (by brushing) or is that not a good idea with the ablative paint?

 

[mike]

yes, for ablative paints

although i have not any experience with the racing issues, this paint is easy to maintain, doesnt build up (ablates) on the hull,thus reducing the additional weight to the hull. at haulout, i usually apply two coats, and back in the water, clean the hull(spring and fall) with a glove or burlap rag. this process keeps the paint fresh. changing from the first coat color (re:red) then using a blue color indicates when to apply new paint. usually go three years between haulouts using this proceedure.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Second question

Yes, you still need to brush the bottom in season because there is some slime buildup that will lead to barnacles. Some paint comes off in the process, but that's okay. I have my 29.5 brushed every 30 days for 7 months, and by season's end in December the two coats are nearly gone and ready for next year's paint.