Barnacles on New Bottom Paint

[Larry7082]

We have a Oday 23 in Long Is land Sound on the CT Side.Have been using West Marine BottomKote for many years and have never had a problem.Just checked the bottom and its covered with 1/2 to 3/4 inc banacles! WOW what a drag, literally. Will have to spend many hours removing this winter.I noticed that the BottomKote seemed alot thinner(no thick sedament on the bottom of gallon which maybe was the copper?).DO I have any case against West Marine (Bottomkote s made by Petit)? Would like to at least get credit for paint...Thanks _)

 

[CalebD]

Similar experience minus the Bottom Kote

I had my 19' Lightning on the hook in Lloyd Harbor (LI Sound opposite Stamford) for a couple of months this summer. The boat was dry sailed previously and I forgot to put any ablative paint on the bottom and viola: 1/2 - 3/4" barnacle growth like I've never seen. On the bright side it is a testament to how clean and salty the water is in the Sound. I keep my Tartan 27' in the Hudson off Nyack, NY and have had good results from WM CPP ablative paint (usually goes on sale over winter). The only major barnacle build up has been on the propeller. Your mileage may vary.I had 2 boats in the water this summer simultaneously. Am I crazy?It sounds to me as though you have experience with this paint and mixed it up thoroughly before using it.Not sure how you would proceed to get a refund from WM.Good luck.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Many years ago

I bought an ablative bottom paint being sold by BoatUS with their name on it, but made for them by Petit, also. At the end of the season, I had some barnacles on the keel and rudder, and a few at the waterline. I discussed this with BoatUS and they referred me to Petit. The Petit people where nice and polite, but said there were too many variables not under their control and that no bottom paint is guaranteed. I noticed that BoatUS dropped this line of paint after one season. There seems to be a lot going on these days with bottom paint makers revising their paint formulations, mostly due to the rising cost of copper and various state rules about toxins in the local waters. While I doubt you will get much satisfaction, you might want to contact Petit and ask them if they changed the content of their paint.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

no bottom layer of copper?

Strange there was no copper sediment in the paint can - did you or WM shake it or otherwise mix it before you opened it?

 

[Landsend]

No case..Just buy msome good paint next time.

Trinadad for example.

 

[Landsend]

No case..Just buy some good paint next time.

Trinadad for example.

 

[Terry in Naples]

bottom paint

The latest issue of Practical Sailor reviews bottom paint. they have 1 year and 2 year test results. they also have testing done in Connetticut and in Florida. They also tested the 2 types of bottompaint, hard and ablative. The results are vey clear and you can see you get what you pay for in most cases. I would sugfgest anyone relying on bottom paint to get this issue and plan accordingly. I live in Fl and my boat is in the water 24/7. I use the Micron 66. by interlux and have not been unhappy with the results. I do the bottom every 2 years. I have to dive on the prop every few months to clear the barnacles there. Many here have a diver come monthly to touch up the bottom on a regular basis. This however, is becoming a problem because environmentalists are complaining that it is spreadsing antifouling paint and copper residue on the bottom. On our City pier where many dock their boat the diver was recently turned away because of this.

 

[Larry Wilson]

Bottomkote

Bottomkote is an Interlux product, and is advertised for use on workboats and cruising vessels.It's a soft paint that's designed to wear off gradually, under friction.  Fiberglass Bottomkote is also Interlux, for use on power boats and sailboats where fouling is not severe. It's a hard paint and has a low percentage of copper. Fiberglass Bottomkote ACT with Irgoral is Interlux, an ablative (soft paint) for use in high to low growth areas. Primarily for high slime areas, as opposed to barnacle growth and recommended for trailerables that will have shorter stays in the water. How did other boats in your marina do this year? Was there more than normal growth all around you? Did your sailing habits change this year? Less use, or shorter, slower cruising? All of these factors affect the usefulness of bottom paints.

 

[Rob Hessenius]

Larry

I think you mean Bottomshield. Talk to the Manager. You should get your money back or at least a gallon of paint. Rob

 

[s sauer]

CSC and Baltoplate

We use Baltoplate, a hard vinyl racing paint in a single thin coat on the hull and Shark White CSC ablative paint in a thick coat on the rudder.Although we regularly need to scrape the bronze prop and bronze shaft, we never get barnacles on either paint surface, though the Baltoplate grows slime after three-four weeks and should be vigorously scrubbed for best performance.Obviously the CSC shouldn't be vigorously scrubbed.On the Baltoplate, I always use a variable speed electric drill with a heavy paint mixing attachment and work it thoroughly thru the entire can of paint to mix in all solids. I only buy the CSC in Quarts and mix with a paint stirrer.

 

[Larry7082]

Paint

It was Bottomshield (not kote) and I use a drill with paint paddle to stir thoroughly. It's a hard epoxy paint with 45.70% copper content. Like I said I have used this product for many years with no problems...I guess lack of thick sediment on bottom of gallon should have been my first clue...I have that issue of Practical Sailor and was pleased to see testing in Long Island Sound. I think one of the editors lives nearby.