Bottom Paint for a trailered boat

[Boom Magnet]

Hi folks,
I have a '78 Catalina 22 whose bottom paint and water line are ready for new paint. "Mr. Bill" spends most of the time on a trailer in a storage yard so there isn't that extended exposure to water.

Beyond the surface prep, does anyone have suggestions on paint that will work for the situation and not break the bank?

Thanks you!

Bill M.

 

[falcolnxp]

Why paint = wax it for speed unless you have spray gun

 

[dscribner]

Boom,

What shape is the bottom in? Has it been painted already? How long does it sit in water at any one time.? Is the bottom is beat up or still in good condition? If you really do daysail, in for no more than a day or two, I'd use Pettit EasyPoxy. It's a topside paint but it specifically says on the can that is it good for below the waterline but only for two days of constant immersion. It's hard and shinny, probably what you are looking for. If you're in for more than that, I just used Pettit HydroCoat on my Lancer 25 and was pleased as punch with the coverage and results. We trailer and they claim it's perfect for frequent trailering. Plus it's waterbased so clean up is easy.

Now, you don't need antifouling but it is extremely difficult to find a bottom paint without any kind of biocide. There is also VC-17 that is a speed paint. I almost used it but I think it's best over a clean bottom. Also, many have said that it doesn't play well with salt and I spend all my time in the ocean. It comes in dark blue, red, gray and brown, I think. It dries VERY quickly. Paint the boat, start the truck, dump her in the water in 10 minutes. Really. I recommend WholesaleMarine.com. I save about $30 per gallon and no shipping. Beat that.

So . . . no photos . . . didn't happen. We at the forum charge a stiff price for services rendered. Post some before an after photos!

Good Luck!

Don,

Biddeford, Maine

Good luck!

 

[kenn]

We're freshwater trailer-sailors. Two years ago i stripped the old ratty bottom paint off of our boat, right down to gelcoat, then touched up the gelcoat. We've sailed like this for a couple of seasons, leaving the boat in for up to a week, with only a little accumulation that was easily washed off.

I've been meaning to put some good epoxy paint on the bottom... then again I might just polish and wax my bottom, too.

(I mean the BOAT'S bottom. Heh)

 

[Dan Johnson]

Trailer boat...

If it's going to live on the trailer most of the time, don't bother painting the bottom. Wax well and enjoy more sailing time!

 

[OldCat]

Hi folks,
I have a '78 Catalina 22 whose bottom paint and water line are ready for new paint. "Mr. Bill" spends most of the time on a trailer in a storage yard so there isn't that extended exposure to water.

Experiment, or ask around locally. If the boat comes out of the water with slime that is easily washed off with a pressure washer - why bother with the cost of paint? If it comes out with lots of work to do, then probably you need paint. Local conditions and how long you leave the boat in the water are your main issues.

I do not use bottom paint. The high altitude mountain lake that I sail on is cold enough that it is not needed - unless you are racing and want/need VC17. At the end of the 6-7 month season, I wash off the slime and have the bottom cleaned by the local yard (~$40, they use oxalic acid, I think) and she is good to go. Our local lower altitude lakes get just warm enough that boats there need bottom paint if they stay in the H20, mine is high enough to stay cold.

What is local practice for a boat left in the water for short periods of time?

OC

 

[Douglast]

im in fresh water...i took all my bottom paint off and sanded lightly and applied interlux 2 part epoxy paint for the bottom as well as the boat sides and used interlux brightside for the waterline stripe..

i keep the boat in the water for 5 months straight for the past three years now and no issues.