Bottom Paint Additives

[Bob Horvath]

Has anyone heard of adding Cayenne Pepper to bottom paint? I'm told it helps keep the bottom clean while not harming the environment.

 

[Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.net]

Great on Seafood

Jan.3, 2000Dear Bob,Cayenne pepper is good on seafood but is not a proven effective additive in paint. The only real world legitimate test of various additives including cayenne pepper was conducted by Practical Sailor some years ago and it was found to be ineffective notwithstanding anecdotal claims to the contrary made for it. If memory serves the only additive that made some difference sufficient to justify the cost of the additive was a TBT additive which is no longer legal to use. Fair winds,Brian Pickton aboard The Legend,Rodney Bay, St. Lucia

 

[Bob]

Pepper paint

It IS effective against boatyard workers who have to sand it off!Look into the new anti-slime bottom paints, such as Pettit Trinidad SR, etc.I believe that there was a paint on the market (for a short period)called "Hot Bottom" that contained pepper. Didn't work too well.

 

[SteveC]

The guy across the street...

from my soon-to-be new residence in Punta Gorda has a 34' and one of the first things he told me was to add the pepper to the paint. Didn't say how much but was emphatic. Says the boat has been in the drink for 3 years and does not have a critter problem. Maybe i'll try it when I splash mine....