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Bottom paint
Red, Bottom paint is primarily applied to help prevent bottom growth such as slime, grass, and hard growth i.e. barnacles and muscles. These are generally salt water problems and can be minimal or severe depending on the conditions and water temps where your boat is used. If your boat is dry sailed, that is put in the water and taken out when your done using it, say 1 - 3 days then you probably won't need paint. A good cleaning after use and an occassional waxing should be sufficient. Hope this helps.
Red, Bottom paint is primarily applied to help prevent bottom growth such as slime, grass, and hard growth i.e. barnacles and muscles. These are generally salt water problems and can be minimal or severe depending on the conditions and water temps where your boat is used. If your boat is dry sailed, that is put in the water and taken out when your done using it, say 1 - 3 days then you probably won't need paint. A good cleaning after use and an occassional waxing should be sufficient. Hope this helps.
Actually,
some people think it stops the growth of barnacles and other stuff on the hulls of boats kept in marine environments. But, really its just a sinister plot to drain the wallets of boat owners by having them buy (VERY) expensive "special" paint, than haul the boat out of the water (more money), spend days (at least) preparing the hull, painting, getting filthy, (and spending more money).... only to find that stuff grows on the hull anyway.... So, just keep your boat in fresh water, and forget all that BS about sailing around the world, bla, bla, bla.
some people think it stops the growth of barnacles and other stuff on the hulls of boats kept in marine environments. But, really its just a sinister plot to drain the wallets of boat owners by having them buy (VERY) expensive "special" paint, than haul the boat out of the water (more money), spend days (at least) preparing the hull, painting, getting filthy, (and spending more money).... only to find that stuff grows on the hull anyway.... So, just keep your boat in fresh water, and forget all that BS about sailing around the world, bla, bla, bla.
Seal of approval
Mr. Beard, The other reason for bottom paint is to protect the gelcoat from blisters. All boat manufacturers put some disclaimer concerning blister prevention in the owners manual to cover their bottoms. Here's a quote from the MacGregor 26X manual: "If the boat is left in the water (either fresh or salt water), apply a coat of top grade anti-fouling bottom paint with an 18 mil thick (.018") epoxy undercoat. Without good bottom paint and epoxy primer, the white exterior gelcoat surface may blister." Happy (fusion power) sails *_/), MArk
Mr. Beard, The other reason for bottom paint is to protect the gelcoat from blisters. All boat manufacturers put some disclaimer concerning blister prevention in the owners manual to cover their bottoms. Here's a quote from the MacGregor 26X manual: "If the boat is left in the water (either fresh or salt water), apply a coat of top grade anti-fouling bottom paint with an 18 mil thick (.018") epoxy undercoat. Without good bottom paint and epoxy primer, the white exterior gelcoat surface may blister." Happy (fusion power) sails *_/), MArk
Epoxy Barrier Coat Helps to Prevent Blisters
To clarify the McGregor statement where they say to apply a coat of top grade anti-fouling bottom paint with an epoxy undercoat, it's the epoxy undercoat portion of that two-part layer that forms the waterproof/water resistant barrier. It's also known as a "barrier coat". The epoxy barrier coat goes on first then the bottom paint is applied. Technically the epoxy barrier coat is not 100.000% water PROOF but more like water resistant, but it's a heck of a lot less permeable than the gel coat. In the light of recent findings that even new boats get blisters (in spite of any limited warranty), anyone who buys a new boat that plans to leave it in the water should consider the economics of applying a barrier coat in order to protect their investment.
To clarify the McGregor statement where they say to apply a coat of top grade anti-fouling bottom paint with an epoxy undercoat, it's the epoxy undercoat portion of that two-part layer that forms the waterproof/water resistant barrier. It's also known as a "barrier coat". The epoxy barrier coat goes on first then the bottom paint is applied. Technically the epoxy barrier coat is not 100.000% water PROOF but more like water resistant, but it's a heck of a lot less permeable than the gel coat. In the light of recent findings that even new boats get blisters (in spite of any limited warranty), anyone who buys a new boat that plans to leave it in the water should consider the economics of applying a barrier coat in order to protect their investment.
little bastards
Down here you can sit and watch the barnacles grow on your hull. Hell, they grow on stuff that is in the water just an hour or two every OTHER day. Recently my dog was playing in the canal and came out with some growth on her belly, those critters are amazing things.
Down here you can sit and watch the barnacles grow on your hull. Hell, they grow on stuff that is in the water just an hour or two every OTHER day. Recently my dog was playing in the canal and came out with some growth on her belly, those critters are amazing things.
COPPER
BOTTOM PAINTS CONTAIN VARYING AMOUNTS OF COPPER(CUPROUS OXIDE I BELIEVE) DEPENDING ON THE BRAND AND TYPE. THESE PAINTS ARE DESIGNED TO SLOWLY DISSOLVE IN THE SURROUNDING WATER KIND OF LIKE A TIME RELEASE DRUG. COPPER, LIKE MOST HEAVY METALS, IS TOXIC TO INVERTEBRATES. FOR EXAMPLE, IN A SALT WATER FISH TANK, WHEN THERE IS AN OUTBREAK OF A PARASITE THE WATER IS TREATED WITH COPPER CONTAINING SOLUTIONS TO KILL THE PARASITES(INVERTEBRATES) BUT THE FISH (VERTEBRATES) DO FINE. CRUSTACEANS(BARNACLES) ARE INVERTEBRATES AND THUS ARE EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED BY COPPER CONTAINING PAINTS(ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES NOT CONTROLLED AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE). SOME PAINTS ALSO HAVE SLIME AND ALGEA BIOCIDES WHICH ARE A DIFFERENT CHEMICAL. THE PAINT HAS TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT IS DESIGNED TO DISSOLVE IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE BARNACLES WHICH FILTER THE WATER TO FEED. THE MORE YOU USE YOU BOAT, THE MORE OFTEN THE PAINT WILL NEED REPLACING IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES AS WATER FLOW ACROSS THE PAINT WILL INCREASE THE DISSOLVING RATE. HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE.
BOTTOM PAINTS CONTAIN VARYING AMOUNTS OF COPPER(CUPROUS OXIDE I BELIEVE) DEPENDING ON THE BRAND AND TYPE. THESE PAINTS ARE DESIGNED TO SLOWLY DISSOLVE IN THE SURROUNDING WATER KIND OF LIKE A TIME RELEASE DRUG. COPPER, LIKE MOST HEAVY METALS, IS TOXIC TO INVERTEBRATES. FOR EXAMPLE, IN A SALT WATER FISH TANK, WHEN THERE IS AN OUTBREAK OF A PARASITE THE WATER IS TREATED WITH COPPER CONTAINING SOLUTIONS TO KILL THE PARASITES(INVERTEBRATES) BUT THE FISH (VERTEBRATES) DO FINE. CRUSTACEANS(BARNACLES) ARE INVERTEBRATES AND THUS ARE EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED BY COPPER CONTAINING PAINTS(ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES NOT CONTROLLED AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE). SOME PAINTS ALSO HAVE SLIME AND ALGEA BIOCIDES WHICH ARE A DIFFERENT CHEMICAL. THE PAINT HAS TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT IS DESIGNED TO DISSOLVE IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE BARNACLES WHICH FILTER THE WATER TO FEED. THE MORE YOU USE YOU BOAT, THE MORE OFTEN THE PAINT WILL NEED REPLACING IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES AS WATER FLOW ACROSS THE PAINT WILL INCREASE THE DISSOLVING RATE. HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE.
Crap grows in fresh water too.
Buck: Do not kid yourself. The slime and grass grow in fresh water too. Probably not as bad as in saltwater but it is there. The big difference is that you can get this stuff off when you have bottom paint on the boat. If you do not use a bottom paint it is VERY difficult. I personally have not heard any claims that bottom paint prevents blisters (only growth).
Buck: Do not kid yourself. The slime and grass grow in fresh water too. Probably not as bad as in saltwater but it is there. The big difference is that you can get this stuff off when you have bottom paint on the boat. If you do not use a bottom paint it is VERY difficult. I personally have not heard any claims that bottom paint prevents blisters (only growth).
An expensive alternative
to standard bottom paints is CopperPoxy - last time I checked retail was $275/gal. Its manufacturers claim it acts as a good barrier coat, as well as resisting hard growth. It is not an ablative, thus does not wear or leach away. You still need to clean slime and/or soft growth, and it is recommended that you abrade it once a year to the depth of 1/2 mil with Scotchbrite. A life of 10 years is claimed for it if applied and maintained as recommended. I have no experience with it in salt water, but it's nice not to have to paint the bottom every year or two. It sets up VERY hard and is a bear to sand smooth - it's almost like having a layer of copper on the bottom. If you figure its cost over 10 years, especially the labor you save, it's really pretty cost effective.
to standard bottom paints is CopperPoxy - last time I checked retail was $275/gal. Its manufacturers claim it acts as a good barrier coat, as well as resisting hard growth. It is not an ablative, thus does not wear or leach away. You still need to clean slime and/or soft growth, and it is recommended that you abrade it once a year to the depth of 1/2 mil with Scotchbrite. A life of 10 years is claimed for it if applied and maintained as recommended. I have no experience with it in salt water, but it's nice not to have to paint the bottom every year or two. It sets up VERY hard and is a bear to sand smooth - it's almost like having a layer of copper on the bottom. If you figure its cost over 10 years, especially the labor you save, it's really pretty cost effective.
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