bottom paint coverage

[sailormanbigd]

i have an oday25 that needs bottom paint. How much do you think that i need? I want to do two colors, ie. say red first coat, then blue finish/topcoat. This stuff cost like crazy and wondered if i could get away with quarts, say two each color, and still get adequate millage of protection. I know that method of application will vary coverage so i plan to apply with an 1/8 inch nap roller. Thanks, Patrick

 

[bffatcat]

Ive got a pearson 26w Your O day 25 should use approximately the same amount of paint
I use ablative paint approx 3 quarts for one coat. Ablative paint is soft and should be put on heavier than a harder epoxy paint Dont thin the paint too much and dont skimp to stretch the paint. Im in New England where the water is colder and the growth is a lot less.

 

[seadaddler]

One Color

I know you want two colors to check for wear,but what color is on now and use a different color this time and color next time and less waste with two good coating of same color.
I just did mine with a 1/4 nape roller which went on better than a 3/16 roller that I used on first coat.
I used two gallons of Ultama SR 60 on my 36 Hunter.
Nick

 

[Warren Milberg]

The basic formula to use is lwl x max beam x .85 = sq ft to cover. A typical gallon of bottom paint can cover around 400 sq ft.

FWIW, I put one thin coat (1/4" roller) of ablative on my H28.5 each spring and that works quite well. I change the color annually. It takes a little over a half gallon to do that.

 

[sailormanbigd]

the color that currently on there is blue. the hull is light blue gelcoat. It is thick and peeling in places so i will be sanding it off to bare hull. I suppose i could buy a gallon and see if i can get two good coats from it. thanks patrick

 

[Island Girl 34]

How often do you plan to pull the boat? I would tend to go with two gallons. That would give you the two colors you are looking for and at least three good coats of paint. With a good abladive, you could be good for three seasons...

 

[sailingdog]

Whatever you do, make sure that the paint you go with is a multi-season co-polymer type ablative paint, especially if you haul out for any period of time. Some ablative paints, like most hard epoxy paints, can't dry out without losing their ability to work properly.

Given that you're in Florida, I wouldn't skimp on the bottom paint, as the growth rate there is phenomenal.

 

[Ron20324]

I'm sitting here on Sunday morning with my coffee... Thinking if you have a bare hull and will do the first coat(s) in a different color, you'd want THAT coat to NOT wear off, so use a harder paint (Trinidad?). Use compatable ablatives (per the labels) on top of that.

 

[CalebD]

Patrick,
Whatever you do, don't buy this paint in quart cans. I quart can is usally 1/2 the cost of a gallon or thereabouts so you are better off buying the gallon even if you don't use it all. It will keep but will need to mix it up really well each and every time you use it.
I think that NiceNEasy uses Trinidad Ultima SR (or some such) and he is in warm water like you.
That said, up north I use the WM CPP ablative which usually goes on sale for about $80/gal some time in the spring - it is NOT a multi season paint though. They make another ablative called PCA which is more expensive but I believe is a multi season paint. Both of these paints are actually made by Petit I believe and had decent recmmendations from Piratical Sailor.
Check with other local boaters (Floridians) to see what they use.
As for the 2 toned approach for painting the bottom - it is a nice idea but once you see the cost of 2 gals of this paint you may decide otherwise. The main benefit of the 2 colored approach is to be able to quickly see where it is getting thin. You can still see this with only one color, just not as easily. Grab a mask and snorkel instead.

 

[DougM]

I know that salt water sailors don't like VC17, but for comparison, it takes me about 3-4 quarts to adequately cover the bottom of my Bene 323. I do it on a relatively cool, windless day, because the stuff evaporates very rapidlt. I use a small roller and keep the pan covered with foil to reduce evaporation.

 

[sailingdog]

One other point about applying ablatives. Having a bit left over is a good thing, since you generally want to give high-wear areas an extra coat or two. The leading edge of the keel and bow, the waterline itself, and the rudder are all generally good places to put an extra coat or you'll often wear through the anti-fouling in those areas first.

 

[sailormanbigd]

thanks everyone. Once again some sage advise from all aspects of the sailing community. I like saleb's answer particularly. Two colors is nice-but that is twice the money. I will then buy (when i get some money) one gallon of probably ablative and see how far it goes. I plan on leaving the boat in the water most of the time. I have a dear friend who is letting me keep "the free boat" at her dock and will tie along side of it with the oday. I might pull once a season (in Fla there is only one season) and haul to another destination-say the keys or Gasparilla island (love it there) but raising and lowerring the mast is a pain). Patrick

 

[Capn Ellis]

I will then buy (when i get some money) one gallon of probably ablative and see how far it goes. Patrick

The shop foreman at Norton's in Deltaville, Va., advised me to put on one coat of good ablative. I haul once a year to wash and inspect the hull. I asked if two coats wouldn't be beneficial and in his dry-witted way he said only if I wanted a heavier boat. My 26 footer takes 3/4 gallon.

 

[sailaway78]

Warm Waters

If you don't pull your boat much, I would highly recommend a hard bottom paint. I use Trinidad, as I have posted many times before. One gallon of Trinidad should put two coats on your boat, with an extra coat on the water line. It will last you three years, if the boat stays in the water. Not sure about how long you can leave it out if you pull it. They recommend splash within 60 days ( I think ) after painting. You would need to check and find out if you can pull the boat with the Trinidad. If not by all means go with an ablative. There is a company in Fl. that makes an ablative, called Super Ship Bottom. They claim their paint will last three years there.

 

[Git-R-Done]

Whatever you do, make sure you pick a light color that will contrast with your local growth. When I bought my Catalina 25, it had black paint on the bottom and fool that I was, I put two coats of black Ultima SR on top. I couldn't see the slime buildup for the life of me.

Then I stripped the whole mess off and went with VC-17m--which is the way to go for a racing boat in fresh water. Some racers in salt water like VC-offshore.