Bottom paint for a lake

Cat36Amoore

Cat36Amoore

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Aug 10, 2013
52
Catalina 36 MKII 1721 New London Crockers Boat Yard
My Catalina 27, 1983 is in need of bottom paint. When I purchased the boat two years ago the surveyor suggested I could go two years before painting. I've researched the process and ready to get going. I've read I should paint with the same type of paint currently on the boat. As a two boat owner I can not determine what type of bottom paint. The Surveyor told me it was expensive paint. The boat had been on Lake Champlain. It's know on Sebago Lake. The boat is only in the water for five months out of the year. Last Summer the boat had very little slime at the water lane. I believe its has a soft ablative paint I just wish to protect my hull and enjoy cruising. I'm prepared to sand and paint. From what I've read with the new paint priming is not necessary as long as I'm careful and use the same type of paint. Any advise would be helpful. Thanks
 
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
I sail the Finger Lakes. VC17m Extra by Interlux is my preferred paint. We have some algae, and VC17m keeps the bottom pretty clean. There is a slime coat that is easily powerwashed off at the end of the season. I usually recoat lightly before each season, as the paint wears off during the season.
I powerwash and sand lightly just to get the bottom smoothed for a new coat. Be careful, as the paint wears off easily.
VC17m is volatile. It dries quickly, so do not pour a lot into a pan at one time. Also, do not roll over drying paint, it will lift.


Thanks, Andrew
 
Kper

Kper

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Mar 12, 2014
148
Catalina 25 Iowa
Unless I'm missing something he currently has ablative and applying hard VC17 products over ablative isn't recommended.

I'm currently working the same issue with selecting a specific ablative because I'm not prepared to strip the hull and prep for VC17, which I'd love to use. When my research is complete I may respond if this thread isn't dead.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,202
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Any good ablative paint will work... do not put the same color as the current paint... that way you'll know when to paint again. Ablative paint works by slowly sloughing off microscopic layers as the boat moves through the water to expose new anti fouling... These type of paints are not weakened by exposure to sun and air...a big reason it is preferred for seasonal or trailerable boats.

If you're putting ablative over ablative... there is minimal prep... read the directions on the can always. But as long as the hull is smooth and there are no bare spots (which would require a primer over the exposed fiberglass) you should be able to get it prepped and painted with 2-3 coats within a couple of days.

Although I live in an area where folks leave their boats in the water year round... it is customary in seasonal areas to roll on a couple coats at the beginning of the season....But I defer those people for verification.

Finally, I might suggest you read the West Marine Advisor series... at their website... where all of this is discussed in much greater detail.
 
C

Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,455
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Believe it or not, over the years some paints will intereact with other paints. It would be helpful to find what paint the previous owner put on if you can call him and ask. However, there are some paints designed to go most anything. If not sure, buy a small can and test patch an area. I would still inquire what is the best for your area to use from the local yards or marinas.
 
M

Morgan donor

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Sep 17, 2012
110
Morgan 383 Fairhaven, NY
Cat27rem said:
My Catalina 27, 1983 is in need of bottom paint. When I purchased the boat two years ago the surveyor suggested I could go two years before painting. I've researched the process and ready to get going. I've read I should paint with the same type of paint currently on the boat. As a two boat owner I can not determine what type of bottom paint. The Surveyor told me it was expensive paint. The boat had been on Lake Champlain. It's know on Sebago Lake. The boat is only in the water for five months out of the year. Last Summer the boat had very little slime at the water lane. I believe its has a soft ablative paint I just wish to protect my hull and enjoy cruising. I'm prepared to sand and paint. From what I've read with the new paint priming is not necessary as long as I'm careful and use the same type of paint. Any advise would be helpful. Thanks
Click to expand
The least expensive West Marine ablative paint will work fine in Champlain. You may want to thin it to aid in rolling. Make sure they shake the can, and you stir very well before application. VC-17 is a better "speed finish" but as was stated, you have to get down to gel coat to apply it. Not worth the trouble in my opinion if you have ablative on now.

Add an extra "layer" on the high pressure areas: Bow area, leading edge of the keel and rudder, waterline. It wears off there first. If you sand before painting, you'll need eye, hand & clothing, and breathing protection (filter not dust mask). Either way you look like a smurf when done. Your boatyard may have specific requirements, so ask them before starting.
Dave
 
S

sailhappy20778

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Jan 15, 2006
8
-Irwin Citation -31 Freedom (Oxford, MD)
We have a 19' flying scott on Thomas Pond, which feeds into Sebago Lake. I refurbished the boat a few years ago grinding off the bottom gel coat and applying epoxy barrier. I finished with VC Performance Epoxy, which is Teflon filled and very hard and slippery. I chose this over any antifouling paint because I don't want to affect Portland's water supply and the lake is so clean I figured antifouling is not needed. This is true. I get a very light slipper layer on the bottom that you can feel with your hand the end of the season but it is cleaned up with a Scotch Brite pad. I highly recommend it.
 

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Cat36Amoore

Cat36Amoore

.
Aug 10, 2013
52
Catalina 36 MKII 1721 New London Crockers Boat Yard
sailhappy20778 said:
We have a 19' flying scott on Thomas Pond, which feeds into Sebago Lake. I refurbished the boat a few years ago grinding off the bottom gel coat and applying epoxy barrier. I finished with VC Performance Epoxy, which is Teflon filled and very hard and slippery. I chose this over any antifouling paint because I don't want to affect Portland's water supply and the lake is so clean I figured antifouling is not needed. This is true. I get a very light slipper layer on the bottom that you can feel with your hand the end of the season but it is cleaned up with a Scotch Brite pad. I highly recommend it.
Click to expand
I ended up using Pettit Hydrocoat ECO, it made good sense
 
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
Cat27rem said:
I ended up using Pettit Hydrocoat ECO, it made good sense
Click to expand
Nice when it is freshly painted, huh? Do you pull it yearly? Mine stays nice with just a light pressure wash at the end of the season and a light overcoat before the next launch.

Enjoy!

Andrew
 
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