Bottom Paint for Racing

[Stu Sauer]

I've been using Baltoplate by Interlux for about fifteen years; wetsanding to a smooth 'new'surface before repainting, rolling on or spraying a single coat and wetsanding with 320 wet/or/dry paper. I may touch it up before a race with 400 paper.The speed results, when the bottom is clean have been great. It does slime up a little after a week in the Chesapeake Bay. The problem is that since Interlux took over they have continued to escalate the price to the point where it is now $175.00 per gallon.Has anyone overcoated the vinyl Baltoplate with VC17? Results? Any other suggestions?

 

[Jim]

VC17

Interlux's website has a compatability chart. It looks like all you have to do is lightly sand and apply over Baltoplate

 

[Stu Sauer]

Baltoplate Again

Just an update: I elected to buy the Baltoplate again this year; wet sanded the hull and keel with 220 Wet/or dry paper and applied a thin coat rolled on with a West System foam roller. Wet sanded the new paint with 320 and will be ready to launch after I refinish the rudder using Interlux 2000 barrier coats and finish with white CSC. At least I know Celebration II has a smooth fast bottom. I'll scrub off any slime before we race,but she has a mirror smooth finish once again. Thanks for the comment on compatibility of VC 17, but with no experience on it's slime protection or performance I elected not to change.