I am looking for info on what bottom paint is best for the central florida intercoastal waterways. The 260 that i am getting labor day weekend has not been painted yet. I will be keeping the boat in the water so i figure i better get her painted. Can someone give me a run down as to what is probably the best and/or common type of paint for this area. ALso, do i need any kind of primer etc. Thanks Greg
Bottom Paint Help...
- Thread starter Greg A
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Try calling a couple of local yards
They'll know what works best in your area based on their experience. There's a yard at Diamond 99 marina on the east bank of the ICW at Dragon Point (southern end of Merritt Island). The name may have changed. You can also try the Melbourne Yacht Club. A link to one of their websites is below. If you want to go farther afield, there are several yards in Cocoa, Port Canaveral and Titusville. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. I keep my boat on the trailer up in Titusville and use VC17 (teflon and metallic copper) bottom paint. In fresh water it lasts about 18 months, but in the Indian River I was getting barnacles after six weeks. In case you didn't know, antifouling just stops barnacles. It won't stop algae and grass from growing on the hull, so you need paint containing algaecide (and possibly slimeblocker too). Most of the paints these days do, but check the label carefully anyway just to be sure. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
They'll know what works best in your area based on their experience. There's a yard at Diamond 99 marina on the east bank of the ICW at Dragon Point (southern end of Merritt Island). The name may have changed. You can also try the Melbourne Yacht Club. A link to one of their websites is below. If you want to go farther afield, there are several yards in Cocoa, Port Canaveral and Titusville. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. I keep my boat on the trailer up in Titusville and use VC17 (teflon and metallic copper) bottom paint. In fresh water it lasts about 18 months, but in the Indian River I was getting barnacles after six weeks. In case you didn't know, antifouling just stops barnacles. It won't stop algae and grass from growing on the hull, so you need paint containing algaecide (and possibly slimeblocker too). Most of the paints these days do, but check the label carefully anyway just to be sure. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
A couple more things
If your boat is new, you may want to ask the dealer if they'll do the bottom paint for you before you take delivery. Also, ask if the boat has a blister warranty, because if not, you should apply a barrier coat BEFORE the bottom paint goes on. As far as hull prep for bottom paint goes, you should remove the wax from the bottom. Acetone works well. Wear disposable vinyl gloves and use lots of clean rags. Once the wax is gone, lightly sand the gelcoat to give it some tooth so the paint will grip. I usually tape the hull about two inches above the waterline when bottom painting. It looks like a boot topping stripe, and since it's not submerged it won't wear out. The next time you paint, you can do it without having to tape the hull because all you need to cover is the worn-out submerged portion. If you use ablative paint, apply several extra coats to the bow and leading edge of the keel and rudder as these areas wear the quickest. It's also a good idea to do the first coat in a contrasting color. When you start to see it, you'll know it's time to repaint. Congrats on the new boat and happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
If your boat is new, you may want to ask the dealer if they'll do the bottom paint for you before you take delivery. Also, ask if the boat has a blister warranty, because if not, you should apply a barrier coat BEFORE the bottom paint goes on. As far as hull prep for bottom paint goes, you should remove the wax from the bottom. Acetone works well. Wear disposable vinyl gloves and use lots of clean rags. Once the wax is gone, lightly sand the gelcoat to give it some tooth so the paint will grip. I usually tape the hull about two inches above the waterline when bottom painting. It looks like a boot topping stripe, and since it's not submerged it won't wear out. The next time you paint, you can do it without having to tape the hull because all you need to cover is the worn-out submerged portion. If you use ablative paint, apply several extra coats to the bow and leading edge of the keel and rudder as these areas wear the quickest. It's also a good idea to do the first coat in a contrasting color. When you start to see it, you'll know it's time to repaint. Congrats on the new boat and happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
Hey Peter
Thanks for your reply. I was the one with the 23.5 at LMH. I have since sold it and am moving up to a 99 260. I remember you talking about the VC17 last year or so when you did the bottom. I was reading about interlux 2000 as barrier coat and possibly micron csc like i used before. Only this time i think i will use black instead of green.The main thing here is to prevent all the blister work i had to do on the 23.... that was not fun, especially in this heat
Talk at you soon.... Greg
Thanks for your reply. I was the one with the 23.5 at LMH. I have since sold it and am moving up to a 99 260. I remember you talking about the VC17 last year or so when you did the bottom. I was reading about interlux 2000 as barrier coat and possibly micron csc like i used before. Only this time i think i will use black instead of green.The main thing here is to prevent all the blister work i had to do on the 23.... that was not fun, especially in this heat
Talk at you soon.... GregBottoms
If you're going to keep her in the water, its a good idea to get a barrier coat applied before launch. Better safe and protected than sorry. I use Micron CSC in freshwater in the midwest. It is not the end-all bottom paint and does require periodic cleaning to get rid of the slime. But other than some slime, the bottom is in pretty good shape. Practical Sailer had a test of bottom paints and published the results recently. Part of the test was run in warmer waters although I can't remember where. I would suggest reviewing the test results and recommendations in that article before I bought any paint.
If you're going to keep her in the water, its a good idea to get a barrier coat applied before launch. Better safe and protected than sorry. I use Micron CSC in freshwater in the midwest. It is not the end-all bottom paint and does require periodic cleaning to get rid of the slime. But other than some slime, the bottom is in pretty good shape. Practical Sailer had a test of bottom paints and published the results recently. Part of the test was run in warmer waters although I can't remember where. I would suggest reviewing the test results and recommendations in that article before I bought any paint.
Hey Greg
I didn't realize that was you. I remember you asking about space for your previous boat at Kennedy Point. I guess they didn't have any or did you decide that the drive to Melbourne was worth the extra sailing room, the proximity to the ocean and not having to deal with any drawbridges? I'm thinking about taking a weekend cruise down to Melbourne in the fall when it's cooler. I keep hearing about the cool spoil island anchorages in the ICW down that way and I'd like to check them out firsthand, hopefully before all the snowbirds get here. Keep in touch and congrats again on the 260. Peter H23 "Raven"
I didn't realize that was you. I remember you asking about space for your previous boat at Kennedy Point. I guess they didn't have any or did you decide that the drive to Melbourne was worth the extra sailing room, the proximity to the ocean and not having to deal with any drawbridges? I'm thinking about taking a weekend cruise down to Melbourne in the fall when it's cooler. I keep hearing about the cool spoil island anchorages in the ICW down that way and I'd like to check them out firsthand, hopefully before all the snowbirds get here. Keep in touch and congrats again on the 260. Peter H23 "Raven"
Peter...
Hey Peter, No, Kennedy Point didnt have room at the time. I started a new job down here in Melbourne and am still commuting from Orlando, (86mi each way). That drivin has gotten old. So in my reserch, for what i pay for gas and tolls and maint, i can cover the 260 with the slip. Little extra out of my pocket, and stay on it during the week. Plenty of room for me. Anyway, the ICW looks pretty nice down this way with all the little coves and so on. I noticed Melbourne YC had a bunch of boats out racing last weekend so thats good. Nothin like an active sailing community. I will let you know how it works out. Greg
Hey Peter, No, Kennedy Point didnt have room at the time. I started a new job down here in Melbourne and am still commuting from Orlando, (86mi each way). That drivin has gotten old. So in my reserch, for what i pay for gas and tolls and maint, i can cover the 260 with the slip. Little extra out of my pocket, and stay on it during the week. Plenty of room for me. Anyway, the ICW looks pretty nice down this way with all the little coves and so on. I noticed Melbourne YC had a bunch of boats out racing last weekend so thats good. Nothin like an active sailing community. I will let you know how it works out. Greg
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