I bought this boat in 2008 and it had a fresh coat of ablative bottom paint. I sail on the Chesapeake. I have taken the boat out every winter, and had marina applied bottom paint each spring. The last two years the bottom has been flaking in three to six inch size chunks. The marina is recommending a soda blast, followed by three coats of epoxy barrier coat. Followed by ablative. I contacted Catalina, and their personnel referred their documentation on the subject, which makes no reference to the need to apply a barrier coat, because of the vinyl ester layer. It discussed dewaxing, sanding, but nothing on applying a barrier coat. Am I wasting money, and or potentially doing more harm then good to my Catalina? I'm trying to not do something stupid by skipping the barrier coat. The marina contractor is adamant that a barrier coat is needed. Can someone bring me some sanity on this issue.
Barrier Coat - Catalina 380 - 2001
- Thread starter bob_kowalski
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I have a 2001 Catalina 310 that we purchased in 2010. At that point the bottom was about what you describe. That first season we just put another coat of paint on and sailed her.
When we hualed for the 2011-2012 winter, we tackled the bottom. Our marina was able to get most of the old paint off just by a little extra effort during the pressure wash (which we paid them extra for). From there it was hand sanding and scraping to get the rest off. I looked into both soda blasting and chemical; didn't really like either option for a couple of reasons.
I then spent a lot of time researching the barrier coat issue. It is true that Catalinas of our age don't have a blistering issue and don't need barrier coat for that protection. By the way, I think Interlux recommends 5 coats for blister protection. However, barrier coat can have some other benefits including it can be a great primer to allow for better bottom paint adhesion and extending the life on a bottom job. Because of that we did two coats of the Interprotect 2000E followed by two coats of Pacifica Plus copper free bottom paint.
We have never been happier. The Pacifica Plus worked great and after one season the bottom looked practically untouched.
One trick we learned was to use a fine, foam roller. It gives a smoother, more consistent finish. We used the epoxy rollers from West Systems.
I attached some photos.
When we hualed for the 2011-2012 winter, we tackled the bottom. Our marina was able to get most of the old paint off just by a little extra effort during the pressure wash (which we paid them extra for). From there it was hand sanding and scraping to get the rest off. I looked into both soda blasting and chemical; didn't really like either option for a couple of reasons.
I then spent a lot of time researching the barrier coat issue. It is true that Catalinas of our age don't have a blistering issue and don't need barrier coat for that protection. By the way, I think Interlux recommends 5 coats for blister protection. However, barrier coat can have some other benefits including it can be a great primer to allow for better bottom paint adhesion and extending the life on a bottom job. Because of that we did two coats of the Interprotect 2000E followed by two coats of Pacifica Plus copper free bottom paint.
We have never been happier. The Pacifica Plus worked great and after one season the bottom looked practically untouched.
One trick we learned was to use a fine, foam roller. It gives a smoother, more consistent finish. We used the epoxy rollers from West Systems.
I attached some photos.
Attachments
We were the first registered owner of our 2001 C-320 and put on its first coat of bottom paint. No barrier coat and no blisters since. I've been an active member of the owner's association and the only reports of blister issues on the C-320 that I recall were those concerning hulls laid before Catalina's adoption of vinylester resins in the layup.
I'd suggest that you ask your contractor to providedocumented evidence that a barrier court is recommended for stronger reasons than mere caution.
Lastly, I'd be highly dubious of soda blasting for any reason short of major issues with the condition of the bottom.
I'd suggest that you ask your contractor to providedocumented evidence that a barrier court is recommended for stronger reasons than mere caution.
Lastly, I'd be highly dubious of soda blasting for any reason short of major issues with the condition of the bottom.
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