Bottom Cleaning/Painting

[OCSailor]

I had just finished cleaning the bottom of my H326 when a powerboat owner on my dock stopped by to talk with me. He told me that he no longer paints his hull and simply relies on the monthly scrubbing by his cleaners to keep growth under control. According to him, the last time he hauled his boat, the bottom was in good shape.

I had never heard of anyone emplying this method but, being a relatively new boar owner, I thouht I would see if anyone else had heard such a thing...

I clean my boat myself, so I can control the aggresiveness of my cleaning method. Many of the pros I've spoken with say the white scotch-brite is the least aggressive media they'll use, while I'm still able to get the job done with a soft deck brush on my 7-month old paint.

 

[nightowle]

That's the normal procedure for boaters with a "hard" paint bottom. So, you can surely go that route if you want to regardless of having ablative paint or a hard paint.

 

[Rich Stidger]

My understanding is that if you have a powerboat and it is used every day, it will stay relatively clean. The operative words are "powerboat" (think go fast) and "used everyday". The cleanest boat in our harbor is the marina launch for taking owners out to their moored boats.

However I once left a sailboat in the water in NJ for two weeks with no use and the bottom was heavily coated with hard growth.

 

[Calif. Ted]

This time of year (70 degree water) algae and those little white worm tunnels start growing on the sunny side of the boat in days. Back when the scrub pads were used I used to paint every 3 years, now with new methods using carpet or towels my paint has lasted as long as 6 years, Petit Trindad Pro. Wonder how long ago he quit painting his boat ? You could say I quit painting mine 6 years ago and I'll only paint it once this winter before quitting for another 6.

 

[OCSailor]

...my paint has lasted as long as 6 years, Petit Trindad Pro. Wonder how long ago he quit painting his boat ? You could say I quit painting mine 6 years ago and I'll only paint it once this winter before quitting for another 6.

I'd be ecstatic if I got 6 years! How many coats did you put on?

 

[Calif. Ted]

Two with a 3rd on the waterline and leading edges, 6 years was exceptional last time. Needs paint again soon, usually wait until winter, can't remember how long it's been this time, at least 4.

 

[Joe]

Ted's right about that. The way to go is hard shell paint with regular monthly maintenance. You shouldn't use anything more aggressive than a piece of carpet the first year or so. The anti fouling eventually leaches out but the coverage will still be good... so a scotch brite pad may be needed, or a scraper along the water line when the worms show up. The point is that the modified epoxy / hard shell type paint will give you a lot longer coverage than an ablative style paint.
I've never used the expensive paint, like Petit Trinidad Pro. Always used the cheapo West Marine bottom shield or Interlux BottomKote. One gallon will give my 27 footer two coats plus an extra layer over leading edge of keel and rudder. It doesn't hurt to add another coat or so, but too may coats may cause sagging. Depends on how much time you have in the yard I guess.

The key is to find a good reliable diver. So ask around the marina or check the office for referrals. I pay my excellent diver $40 for monthly cleaning.... well worth it... since the extra year or three between haulouts more than covers the cost... plus I don't have to put on the wet suit and get in that mucky environment.