My new used Hunter presently has a reddish/brown painted bottom. It will need painting next spring. I will be buying paint tomorrow at West Marine (20% Off Sale). In driving around my local boat yard, it appears red is out and black is in! Any thoughts as to what color I should use. I know it is my preference, but are there any other considerations? Greg W.
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Once it is in the water I hope that you won't
have to look at it. so it really isn't much of a fashion statement. Kinda like the color of your underwear, not many people see it and most of those that do, don't care much about that sort of thing.
have to look at it. so it really isn't much of a fashion statement. Kinda like the color of your underwear, not many people see it and most of those that do, don't care much about that sort of thing.
Ablative?
If you are going to be using ablative paint, then pick a new color that contrasts with the existing. That way if you see the old color showing through, you know you need new paint on that spot.
If you are going to be using ablative paint, then pick a new color that contrasts with the existing. That way if you see the old color showing through, you know you need new paint on that spot.
Reconsider black paint
I had black paint on my race boat for a number of years...looked good with my red boot strip and white hull, but I cleaned the bottom myself before every race..weekly, and once a month in the off-season. When the vis was very poor, you had a hard time discerning the slim from the paint, and light reflection was poor under the hull. So save your self or your diver some grief and go with a lighter color. Easier to see the condition of the bottom from the dock as well.
I had black paint on my race boat for a number of years...looked good with my red boot strip and white hull, but I cleaned the bottom myself before every race..weekly, and once a month in the off-season. When the vis was very poor, you had a hard time discerning the slim from the paint, and light reflection was poor under the hull. So save your self or your diver some grief and go with a lighter color. Easier to see the condition of the bottom from the dock as well.
Our local yard recommended black...
ablative because it seems to do a better job at resisting marine life build-up than other colors. I'm happy with the performance from three coats of WM black ablative that I put on three years ago. Terry
ablative because it seems to do a better job at resisting marine life build-up than other colors. I'm happy with the performance from three coats of WM black ablative that I put on three years ago. Terry
If you have one of those....
infamous Foss Foam rudders on your boat, and it's still in good shape (as mine is), I suggest bottom painting it white (i.e., Interlux CSC Micron Shark White), as recommended by the maker. The rest of your boat, as Ross notes, really doesn't matter. The theory of the white paint on the Foss Foam rudder is that it will do better than darker colors in dissipating heat, and perhaps avoiding delamination,when the boat is out of the water. And, as most owners of Foss Foam rudders know, these are not "maintenance free" appendages.
infamous Foss Foam rudders on your boat, and it's still in good shape (as mine is), I suggest bottom painting it white (i.e., Interlux CSC Micron Shark White), as recommended by the maker. The rest of your boat, as Ross notes, really doesn't matter. The theory of the white paint on the Foss Foam rudder is that it will do better than darker colors in dissipating heat, and perhaps avoiding delamination,when the boat is out of the water. And, as most owners of Foss Foam rudders know, these are not "maintenance free" appendages.
I use blue
Because it goes with the color scheme of my boat. My guess is--and I can't prove this--is that slime and other marine growth don't show up as well on black, but I'm betting that it's still there. Kind of like a car--tan and silver show the dirt less, black and white are the worst.
Because it goes with the color scheme of my boat. My guess is--and I can't prove this--is that slime and other marine growth don't show up as well on black, but I'm betting that it's still there. Kind of like a car--tan and silver show the dirt less, black and white are the worst.
you can't clean what you can't see
Darker colors certainly tend to hide the slime, but I've found that it's better to be able to see the slime, if for no other reason than to know when the bottom needs to be cleaned. I dive my own bottom, and have always had a more difficult time cleaning red than blue because it's significantly more difficult to see where I've already brushed.
Darker colors certainly tend to hide the slime, but I've found that it's better to be able to see the slime, if for no other reason than to know when the bottom needs to be cleaned. I dive my own bottom, and have always had a more difficult time cleaning red than blue because it's significantly more difficult to see where I've already brushed.
Colors for cleaning
Let's face it, there is no such thing as a bottom paint that doesn't need cleaning. Slime alone will, cost boat speed between 1/2 and 1 knot. The ideal color to see the condition of the bottom is white. Every little spec is visible at cleaning time. Also the Foss rudders, as stated, require a white paint to minimize heat warping the foam filled rudder. I've been using white bottom paint for years and dive my bottom twice a month throughout the season. It is so much easier to know where you have cleaned when you can see the slime.
Let's face it, there is no such thing as a bottom paint that doesn't need cleaning. Slime alone will, cost boat speed between 1/2 and 1 knot. The ideal color to see the condition of the bottom is white. Every little spec is visible at cleaning time. Also the Foss rudders, as stated, require a white paint to minimize heat warping the foam filled rudder. I've been using white bottom paint for years and dive my bottom twice a month throughout the season. It is so much easier to know where you have cleaned when you can see the slime.
Sailing backwards
Sometimes I get the feeling that failing all those adjustments costing me fractions of a knot, I should be moving backwards. I'm impressed with how easily collected slime comes off VC-17 with a powerwasher after haul out. I can't imagine how small an effect any little bit of slime missed due to bottom color would be. Most of the drag is not in skin friction resistance anyway. On the other hand, I'm not a racer. I'd be hard pressed to detect a gain of 1/2 knot between two different outings with a scrubbing in between. Hats off to those who can.
Sometimes I get the feeling that failing all those adjustments costing me fractions of a knot, I should be moving backwards. I'm impressed with how easily collected slime comes off VC-17 with a powerwasher after haul out. I can't imagine how small an effect any little bit of slime missed due to bottom color would be. Most of the drag is not in skin friction resistance anyway. On the other hand, I'm not a racer. I'd be hard pressed to detect a gain of 1/2 knot between two different outings with a scrubbing in between. Hats off to those who can.
Phil
You only have to note your boat speed indicator to see the difference between clean and dirty. If the 1/2 to 1 knot isn't important to you then just leave the bottom alone and let the admiral decide what color scheme works best. I've invested too much hard work and money in getting my boat in as good a shape as I can to overlook the extra speed that a clean bottom produces.
You only have to note your boat speed indicator to see the difference between clean and dirty. If the 1/2 to 1 knot isn't important to you then just leave the bottom alone and let the admiral decide what color scheme works best. I've invested too much hard work and money in getting my boat in as good a shape as I can to overlook the extra speed that a clean bottom produces.
Half Knot minimum!
I use a hard finished vinyl racing paint and typically have some slime on the hull and maybe some 'moss' on the unpainted shaft, maybe a couple barnacles on the folding prop if I let it go four weeks in the brackish warm water of the Chesapeake. After scrubbing I'd typically see 3/4 knot more speed under power at the same engine rpm; less of a change if there were no barnacles. If more than 4 weeks pass, it will be tougher work to get barnacles off the prop. The Shark White CSC on the rudder performs no better, but you can see the green slime more easily! I always enjoy a little peppier feel under sail and feel she points better with a clean hull and keel.
I use a hard finished vinyl racing paint and typically have some slime on the hull and maybe some 'moss' on the unpainted shaft, maybe a couple barnacles on the folding prop if I let it go four weeks in the brackish warm water of the Chesapeake. After scrubbing I'd typically see 3/4 knot more speed under power at the same engine rpm; less of a change if there were no barnacles. If more than 4 weeks pass, it will be tougher work to get barnacles off the prop. The Shark White CSC on the rudder performs no better, but you can see the green slime more easily! I always enjoy a little peppier feel under sail and feel she points better with a clean hull and keel.
Alan
Yes, my first thought after I posted was how that would be taken wrong. My point is that a difference in indicated boat speed, for me, cannot be attributed to any single factor. If I go out and log conditions and speed, go back in and scrub, then go back out and log conditions and speed, fractions of a knot easily fall within the error of the measurements involved. Conditions just aren't that stable. My speed varies on every trip and the range of speeds varies from trip to trip. Without the ability to confirm it myself, I have to either fall back on theory, which says that irregularities on a small scale (like a very thin slime coating) don't effect drag that much, or rely on the experience of others. Barancles I could see causing increased drag. Trailing a jungle of vegetation would be a problem. A layer of slime, or more specifically the slime missed due to bottom color, doesn't seem like something that would create a difference I'd easily detect with assurance. My guess is that the fractions of a knot that make the real difference in maximizing speed are knowing how to trim for the conditions you have and sensing where the wind is going to be next. I'd say, if you feel faster shiny clean below, go for it. If a white bottom helps you feel cleaner, go for it. As for me, I can easily give up a fraction of a knot that I can't detect for an enjoyable sunset or conversation with a friend. I go plenty fast to enjoy sailing. If I really wanted to go faster, I'd buy a powerboat
Yes, my first thought after I posted was how that would be taken wrong. My point is that a difference in indicated boat speed, for me, cannot be attributed to any single factor. If I go out and log conditions and speed, go back in and scrub, then go back out and log conditions and speed, fractions of a knot easily fall within the error of the measurements involved. Conditions just aren't that stable. My speed varies on every trip and the range of speeds varies from trip to trip. Without the ability to confirm it myself, I have to either fall back on theory, which says that irregularities on a small scale (like a very thin slime coating) don't effect drag that much, or rely on the experience of others. Barancles I could see causing increased drag. Trailing a jungle of vegetation would be a problem. A layer of slime, or more specifically the slime missed due to bottom color, doesn't seem like something that would create a difference I'd easily detect with assurance. My guess is that the fractions of a knot that make the real difference in maximizing speed are knowing how to trim for the conditions you have and sensing where the wind is going to be next. I'd say, if you feel faster shiny clean below, go for it. If a white bottom helps you feel cleaner, go for it. As for me, I can easily give up a fraction of a knot that I can't detect for an enjoyable sunset or conversation with a friend. I go plenty fast to enjoy sailing. If I really wanted to go faster, I'd buy a powerboat
S Sauer
I can almost duplicate your numbers. At the end of two weeks without cleaning I have lost about 3/4 of a knot. After the wipe down I return to max hull speed. Phil somehow having your boat sailing to its best potential is not a dirty word. I can enjoy a friends conversation or a beautiful sunset as much as the next guy. But I also like sailing in club races. A fast bottom does not preclude either. A slow bottom does. You may not believe that slime is a bigger factor in boat speed than barnacles but it is. The boundary layer is only a few molecules thick and a thin film of slim will certainly interfere with that. 3/4 of a knot loss amounts to 10 to 15 percent loss of speed. This is a significant loss when a simple cleaning can eliminate it. If you choose not to care about it that is your prerogative but you certainly can't say that it isn't a significant amount. The only point for the white bottom is to allow for easier visibility for cleaning, nothing more.
I can almost duplicate your numbers. At the end of two weeks without cleaning I have lost about 3/4 of a knot. After the wipe down I return to max hull speed. Phil somehow having your boat sailing to its best potential is not a dirty word. I can enjoy a friends conversation or a beautiful sunset as much as the next guy. But I also like sailing in club races. A fast bottom does not preclude either. A slow bottom does. You may not believe that slime is a bigger factor in boat speed than barnacles but it is. The boundary layer is only a few molecules thick and a thin film of slim will certainly interfere with that. 3/4 of a knot loss amounts to 10 to 15 percent loss of speed. This is a significant loss when a simple cleaning can eliminate it. If you choose not to care about it that is your prerogative but you certainly can't say that it isn't a significant amount. The only point for the white bottom is to allow for easier visibility for cleaning, nothing more.
On topic
Pete The premise is that choosing white is preferable because seeing and cleaning off that last scrap of goo will, among other things, make you go faster. Even if hull cleaning does improve speed, the difference between a mostly cleaned dark hull and an immaculate white hull is unlikely to be as stated below. If you buy that then speed wouldn't be a factor in choosing hull color for you. I'd be interested in hearing more from those who believe that white actually makes the slime grow faster.
Pete The premise is that choosing white is preferable because seeing and cleaning off that last scrap of goo will, among other things, make you go faster. Even if hull cleaning does improve speed, the difference between a mostly cleaned dark hull and an immaculate white hull is unlikely to be as stated below. If you buy that then speed wouldn't be a factor in choosing hull color for you. I'd be interested in hearing more from those who believe that white actually makes the slime grow faster.
How on earth...
...can the subject of 'Bottom Paint Color' get some folks nickers in such a twist?...and to top it all off, the posts are then distorted and embellished with some creative additions. It's starting to sound like the Republicans vs Democrats.....sheesh, give me a break!
...can the subject of 'Bottom Paint Color' get some folks nickers in such a twist?...and to top it all off, the posts are then distorted and embellished with some creative additions. It's starting to sound like the Republicans vs Democrats.....sheesh, give me a break!
How come? Slime anyway?
Excuse me,, but we pay a lot of money for bottom paint. (To much I think) and when I read the label it says it is an ablative paint. As I understand that is to mean that it is a special paint made to fluff off. Well when an organism attaches it's self to the paint then the paint breaks away (comes off) taking what ever it is that wants to grow on it with it, RIGHT? Good then why are we scrubbing the bottom paint in the first place? Isn't this what we are trying not to do? Fish are slimey,and they slip through the water nicely so a little slime on our bottoms should make for a slippery faster bottom. Do we do all these things because our fathers told us what to do and we just do it? Do we do it because Tom, Dick and Harry does it. The sailboats I had 50 years ago, you had two choices of bottom paints, red lead or copper bronze. Neither one really did or lived up to what the paint can said it would do. They all got slime. And today's paint gets slime too. Maybe we should just apply some good hard gloss enamel of any color ( make it slime color) and be done with it. Besides, being a boater in the Great Lakes, all the magic stuff in the bottom paint goes into the water we drink. Yuck !!
Excuse me,, but we pay a lot of money for bottom paint. (To much I think) and when I read the label it says it is an ablative paint. As I understand that is to mean that it is a special paint made to fluff off. Well when an organism attaches it's self to the paint then the paint breaks away (comes off) taking what ever it is that wants to grow on it with it, RIGHT? Good then why are we scrubbing the bottom paint in the first place? Isn't this what we are trying not to do? Fish are slimey,and they slip through the water nicely so a little slime on our bottoms should make for a slippery faster bottom. Do we do all these things because our fathers told us what to do and we just do it? Do we do it because Tom, Dick and Harry does it. The sailboats I had 50 years ago, you had two choices of bottom paints, red lead or copper bronze. Neither one really did or lived up to what the paint can said it would do. They all got slime. And today's paint gets slime too. Maybe we should just apply some good hard gloss enamel of any color ( make it slime color) and be done with it. Besides, being a boater in the Great Lakes, all the magic stuff in the bottom paint goes into the water we drink. Yuck !!
We painted with black Trinidad SR(slime resistant)
Not really sure why at this point. We did peel off the nasty graphics on the side, replaced them with a black and gold stripe, as well as all black canvas. Which looks much better than teal/purple. Our boat is in fresh water, and about all I can say is when we motor out, all the slime on the bottom peels off. I guess. A whole bunch comes off though. I don't know how fast we go with/without the slime on the bottom, but we sure do have a lot of fun!
Not really sure why at this point. We did peel off the nasty graphics on the side, replaced them with a black and gold stripe, as well as all black canvas. Which looks much better than teal/purple. Our boat is in fresh water, and about all I can say is when we motor out, all the slime on the bottom peels off. I guess. A whole bunch comes off though. I don't know how fast we go with/without the slime on the bottom, but we sure do have a lot of fun!
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