If my boat is only in the water for a day or two at a time, do I really need to paint it with an antifouling paint? The bottom is in dire need of a paint job, and after looking at the costs, is it feasible to spend that kind of money on painting it when it will only be in the water a couple times a month? What other paint could I use? I'm not really cheap; just working on a very limited budget.
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No....
Don't paint it if you don't want to. Just wipe off the bottome when you pull the boat out of the water. A little more time with the boat will tell you whether you want to slap on a few coats of ablative paint, but it's not critical now.
Don't paint it if you don't want to. Just wipe off the bottome when you pull the boat out of the water. A little more time with the boat will tell you whether you want to slap on a few coats of ablative paint, but it's not critical now.
No
I bought my O'Day 222 new in 1986 and I trailer-sailed for about 8 years in salt water. I just recently put bottom paint on my hull for the first time ever, only because I went to a flat bunk trailer. Prior to that though, I would leave my boat in the water for as long as a week and then pull it out and let it sit on the trailer at the club for a couple of days. I never really had to worry too much about Barnacles. The hull was always pretty clean, provided that I didn't leave it in the water for longer that a week at a time. If I was a little younger and still had my roller trailer, I'd still be doing this. My advice to you is; clean the hull up good and give it at least 3 coats of a good Teflon boat wax. Four coats of this wax would be even better, in fact. Bottom painting is a pain in the butt. If you can get away without having to use bottom paint, go for it. Joe
I bought my O'Day 222 new in 1986 and I trailer-sailed for about 8 years in salt water. I just recently put bottom paint on my hull for the first time ever, only because I went to a flat bunk trailer. Prior to that though, I would leave my boat in the water for as long as a week and then pull it out and let it sit on the trailer at the club for a couple of days. I never really had to worry too much about Barnacles. The hull was always pretty clean, provided that I didn't leave it in the water for longer that a week at a time. If I was a little younger and still had my roller trailer, I'd still be doing this. My advice to you is; clean the hull up good and give it at least 3 coats of a good Teflon boat wax. Four coats of this wax would be even better, in fact. Bottom painting is a pain in the butt. If you can get away without having to use bottom paint, go for it. Joe
Ablative
Some ablatives can only be out of the water for a very short time (just days)before they lose their effectiveness. Some ablatives are multi season. Also being a soft coating the trailer rollers can easily harm the paint.
Some ablatives can only be out of the water for a very short time (just days)before they lose their effectiveness. Some ablatives are multi season. Also being a soft coating the trailer rollers can easily harm the paint.
If you're a short hauler..
If you haul your boat frequently then the only paints that will work and survive the hauling & drying are "multi-season" paints. Unfortunately, multi-season paints are expensive$$$. Painting with a single season might make it look better but the paint will be useless in relatively short order and will be only aesthetic in value. If your only in for a few days at a time a pressure washer might be a cheaper alternative than bottom paint. Besides ablatives multi-season paints are quite soft and most likely will not hold up well to trailering. I'd leave it bare..
If you haul your boat frequently then the only paints that will work and survive the hauling & drying are "multi-season" paints. Unfortunately, multi-season paints are expensive$$$. Painting with a single season might make it look better but the paint will be useless in relatively short order and will be only aesthetic in value. If your only in for a few days at a time a pressure washer might be a cheaper alternative than bottom paint. Besides ablatives multi-season paints are quite soft and most likely will not hold up well to trailering. I'd leave it bare..
I'm gonna say no, if 2 days is maximum..
the warmer the water, the faster the growth, but I can't imagine it warmer than here (where ever you are!). I also have a powerboat (oh, the shame!), and keep it high and dry. The guys at the marina say 3 days in presents no issue, but longer means working harder to clean it. 2 days? I wouldn't even think about painting the bottom! Fair Winds.
the warmer the water, the faster the growth, but I can't imagine it warmer than here (where ever you are!). I also have a powerboat (oh, the shame!), and keep it high and dry. The guys at the marina say 3 days in presents no issue, but longer means working harder to clean it. 2 days? I wouldn't even think about painting the bottom! Fair Winds.
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