Bottom Paint

JK_Boston_Catalina310 · May 9, 2013

The "pop off" remark is probably the result of not properly preparing the hull.

Fiberglass hulls are made in a mold. The inside of the mold is often coated with a release agent to allow for the easy removal of the hull. The mold release agents can interfere with the adhesion of the bottom paint to the hull. The first step in preparing to paint your bottom should be to remove any residual mold release agent present. I prefer Interlux paint; here is what they have to say. (http://www.yachtpaint.com/LiteratureCentre/Surface Preparation GRP FRP Composites_GBR_ENG.pdf)

Some use a combination of acetone and wet sanding to remove the mold release agents. Or you could use a commercially available product like Interlux Fiberglass Surface Prep. That will cost about $25 for a quart from Defender. (http://search.defender.com/?expression=fiberglass+surface+prep&x=0&y=0)

I am not 100% sure regarding newer Hunters but I suspect they have blister free hulls, so you don't have to put on barrier coat. Although you might want to consider it. We have a 2001 Catalina that doesn't need barrier coat for blister protection but when we took the bottom paint all the way off, we put two coats of Interlux Interprotect 2000 barrier coat as a primer for bottom paint. (http://search.defender.com/?expression=interprotect&x=0&y=0)

As far as bottom paint, I prefer copper free ablative for environmental reasons. We have had good luck with Interlux Pacifica Plus. We put two coats on after the Interprotect last season and have been really happy with the results. (http://search.defender.com/search.a...NPTF_&SI=834e1148-58bd-45db-9d9d-a16ea071c8f3)

Again, personally like the Interlux products, so that is what I recommended. You might like some of the other brands better. My slip neighbor has been using ePaint for the last 3 years and is very happy with it. He is a racing sailboat and uses the hard paint. (http://www.epaint.com/)

Where you are one of the hybrid boat things (sorry, not a big fan of those designs but everyone has their own tastes) and can get up to higher speeds which would make the ablative paints a better choice in my opinion. Most sailboats have to dive on their boats to clean the bottom a couple times a year. You would just need to throttle up for a short trip.

Really, the best advice on paint will be locally. The water chemistry and organisms present in the Boston area are different then where you are. Ask some local boaters what they like for bottom paint. Based on your design, I would suggest asking more power boaters than sail boaters.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

Note: The two paints I recommended are non-copper paints. This is a personal choice for me but I urge you to do a little research on copper bottom paint and its effects on the environment before you choice to go with a copper based paint. Sorry for getting a little preachy.

Crazy Dave Condon · May 9, 2013

Maybe I can help. On trailerable boats kept on lakes during the season to also include the lower Bay area which I grew up on the Warick River part of my life in Denbigh, most ablative anti fouling paints have a shelf life of 60 days when out of the water when the anti fouling properties no longer are effective. Therefore, there are a couple of softer paints that can be applied to include one by West Marine and also the other which is the Micron CSC will keep their anti fouling properties if the boat is out for the winter and then put back into the water the following season. I applied these paints to boats sold in the Tidewater area as well.

The popping off is due to improper application of painting for one reason or another. If a new hull, you have to make sure the mold wax is off the hull and I used what is called a dewaxer and even though it called for a cleaning one time using many rags, I did that three times to successfully remove the mold was. Then I used what was called Petit 6999 self priming paint and then applied the anti fouling as mentioned while the primer was still tacky. It worked. I also applied epoxy barrier coats and when dry, sanded the surface area for a good adhension. What I am trying to say the hull was not prepped for the application of anti fouling paint properly which is the reason why paint pops off.

As for the Hunter 27 Edge, I applied paints to the boats successfully. I did introduce the boat for Hunter Marine at the Annapolis Boat Show and I know how to install central heat and air too.

crazy dave condon (retired/owner of american marine & sail supply, inc.)

feel free to email me sir and I will be glad to help

Warren Milberg · May 9, 2013

I really like Petit Hydrocoat: ablative, multi-season, relatively inexpensive, water-based for easy clean-up and, most importantly, never had hard growth where the paint was properly applied. I'm in the mid-Bay just below Annapolis so the water is probably a bit less salty than where you are

JK_Boston_Catalina310 · May 9, 2013

Warren Milberg said:
I really like Petit Hydrocoat: ablative, multi-season, relatively inexpensive, water-based for easy clean-up and, most importantly, never had hard growth where the paint was properly applied. I'm in the mid-Bay just below Annapolis so the water is probably a bit less salty than where you are

I would be careful with Hydocoat. We used it for 2011-2012 because that is what the previous owner used. I didn't really like it. It didn't work that well.

And then there is this from Maine Sail. http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=138544&#post895752

fstbttms · May 9, 2013

89bruin said:
...an experienced local outfit in Hampton, VA has suggested we should go with a hard anti-fouling because they've seen a lot of the ablatives "pop off" the hull.

I would question this outfit's experience. Hard paints cannot withstand prolonged exposure to air and therefore are typically unsuitable for use on trailered boats.

watercolors II · May 9, 2013

VC Offshore

VC - 17 works perfect on a trailerable boat, the speed, the ease of coating and re-coating is wonderful but must be re-coated every year if left in the water, Oh, did tell you about the speed. The Offshore would be the next best if left in the water and will last for a couple years.

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=106591

Warren Milberg · May 9, 2013

I know Hydrocoat is controversial with some sailors, but I've used it for over 5 seasons and it does what bottom paint is supposed to do: keep hard growth off (at least on my boat and those of a number of local fellow sailors who also use it).

I am always interested to see the varied comments the same product gets from a variety of sailors. While the paint formula is constant, the prep used for its application, the temp of the local waters, and how the boat is used, et al, may all produce differing product results. I would ask around your marina and see what other sailors there have successfully used there.

finding41 · May 9, 2013

I tried this stuff called Aquaguard. It's water based and worked great for me in fresh water with Zebra mussels and blue green algae. This is what was on the hull at haul out time in the fall. I didn't clean it all summer. It rubbed right off with a soft brush. I used a power washer and was done in 15 min!
I was impressed!

spacetiger · May 27, 2013

What are the owners using that only put the boat in the water when they sail, otherwise it stays on the trailer?

I am looking to paint the part below the waterline and I also live in Va.

Jerry

Bottom Paint

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