I sail a Hunter 18.5 on a fresh water lake in Northern Western Georgia and keep the boat in the water. I am going to put a bottom paint on top of Interlux 2000 barrier coat and would like to know if anyone could tell me the best bottom paint to use. The only problem we seem to have is a brown slime which easy brushes off while in the water. I was going to use Petitt ACP Ablative, but now I wonder if that is over kill, or if it will even do the job. Any suggestions? Many thanks.
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Each area is different but...
Look into the Trinadad SR (Slime Reduction). It gets good marks from Practical Sailor, but the boat shops in your area will probably have some feed back for you.
Look into the Trinadad SR (Slime Reduction). It gets good marks from Practical Sailor, but the boat shops in your area will probably have some feed back for you.
Hard vs Soft
I used the Interlux Micron CSC ablative paint last year on Cayuga lake and it did a good job. An in the water scrub a couple of times and the bottom stayed very clean. However, I think the ablative paints are generally quite soft, and therefore slower than hard finish paints. If you're concerned with speed and don't mind an occasional swim to clean the bottom, you might consider VC17 or something similar. Not as much antifouling, but a faster finish.
I used the Interlux Micron CSC ablative paint last year on Cayuga lake and it did a good job. An in the water scrub a couple of times and the bottom stayed very clean. However, I think the ablative paints are generally quite soft, and therefore slower than hard finish paints. If you're concerned with speed and don't mind an occasional swim to clean the bottom, you might consider VC17 or something similar. Not as much antifouling, but a faster finish.
VC17
We sail our 240 in Colorado lakes. Our dealer recommended VC17 teflon paint. We have done that, but haven't had it in the water yet.
We sail our 240 in Colorado lakes. Our dealer recommended VC17 teflon paint. We have done that, but haven't had it in the water yet.
VC17
After some research I went with VC17. My H23 is in warm fresh water and after six months all I got was a little algae on the bottom of the transom and the uppermost few inches of the rudder blade. Because of the way the slip is oriented, these areas are in direct sunlight for most of the day. The algae wiped off with a few strokes of my long-handled deck brush. Everything else (in areas of indirect sunlight or under the boat) is still clean. The bottom-piant topic is discussed here fairly often. You might want to look in the archives. Good luck! Peter s/v Raven
After some research I went with VC17. My H23 is in warm fresh water and after six months all I got was a little algae on the bottom of the transom and the uppermost few inches of the rudder blade. Because of the way the slip is oriented, these areas are in direct sunlight for most of the day. The algae wiped off with a few strokes of my long-handled deck brush. Everything else (in areas of indirect sunlight or under the boat) is still clean. The bottom-piant topic is discussed here fairly often. You might want to look in the archives. Good luck! Peter s/v Raven
VC17 - none better for fresh water
The surveyor suggested it on my h34 six years ago. They yard manager made the same input shortly after it arrived. You'll never sand under the water line ever again. Prep and recoat takes an hour/year on a 34 footer. Barry s/v 'PER DIEM too"
The surveyor suggested it on my h34 six years ago. They yard manager made the same input shortly after it arrived. You'll never sand under the water line ever again. Prep and recoat takes an hour/year on a 34 footer. Barry s/v 'PER DIEM too"
How much paint is required
Barry, This is my first year at painting the bottom of my h34 and I am looking for advise on how much bottom paint I should buy. I have been told numbers which range from 3/4 gallon to just under 2 gallon. thanks, Steve
Barry, This is my first year at painting the bottom of my h34 and I am looking for advise on how much bottom paint I should buy. I have been told numbers which range from 3/4 gallon to just under 2 gallon. thanks, Steve
to Steve, from Steve
West Marine has a chart in their catalog that lists 1.5 gal for a 30 ft boat, so I would think 2 gal would be close for your 34.
West Marine has a chart in their catalog that lists 1.5 gal for a 30 ft boat, so I would think 2 gal would be close for your 34.
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