bottom paint

[john withrow]

I have a h26 1994. I sail only fresh water(right now) What happens if I don't repaint the bottom? Speed is not a major issue and I do clean the bottom off each year of the grunge...

 

[ted]

unesessary

worst thing for bottom paint is to be exposed during the winter to the above water elements. it dries out flakes and cracks. after all, sense tells you that bottom paint is designed to be in the water!!if your boat is stored above water during winter check its condition before launching time. usually best to rub down and give a coat. but more time and money is wasted by using cheap quality paint than good quality. if your boat has been stored in water during the winter, maybe o.k. to skip painting. some well known sailors round here only take their sailboat out of not-so-saline water every four years. but have the hulls scrubbed by a diver once a year.yes, they win plenty of races and are very knowledgable and skilled yachtsmen.hope some help.

 

[Tom]

Check with local marinas, boat yards...

The need for bottom paint is depedant on the local conditions where your boat is moored or slipped. In NH, I've kept my boat in fresh water that was not too weedy without any bottom paint for about 8 seasons (5 mos per season. At haulout, I'd pressure wash all the growth off and sometimes in the spring would wax the hull before launch. Other areas of the some lake were shallow and weedy and boats kept there needed bottom paint. VC-17 was popular, and didn't need to be done every year.Regards,Tom