That time of year again. I need some advice from those of you who keep your boat in the water year round. 1. Which paint do you use? 2. How do you like it? I will be keeping the boat in the water year round once splashed this spring. Moving the boat to N.C. late June. Thanks in advance for your help.
Bottom Paint
- Thread starter Don764
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Best Bottom paint is the one with the most copper
Best bottom paint for almost any area is the one with the most copper. Most have written on the paint can the amount of copper it contains. I believe usually the red color has the most copper. If you are close to both salt and fresh water I will share a little secret I learned over the years. If you can move your boat from fresh to salt water about every 6 months or even every year you can go almost forever without a bottom job. The salt water kills the fresh water bacteria/sluge and the fresh water kills the barnicles etc you get in salt water.
Best bottom paint for almost any area is the one with the most copper. Most have written on the paint can the amount of copper it contains. I believe usually the red color has the most copper. If you are close to both salt and fresh water I will share a little secret I learned over the years. If you can move your boat from fresh to salt water about every 6 months or even every year you can go almost forever without a bottom job. The salt water kills the fresh water bacteria/sluge and the fresh water kills the barnicles etc you get in salt water.
Previous post not totally accurate
Although some would argue this to be common sense, it isn't the case when it comes to bottom paint. One should not buy based on copper content which is very misleading. Exaggeration for effect - if one lines the bottom with copper foil, you have the equivalent of 100% copper, however, once the surface becomes oxidized, it becomes inert and is not available for anti-fouling after a short time. The real indicator of the efficacy of bottom paint is how the copper is available as a biocide. Both epoxy and ablative paint efficacy is determined based on how copper is renewed and available upon exposure. Unfortunatley, simply reading the can won't tell you anything useful. It's far preferable to talk with others in your specific area to see what works and what doesn't as it is a very location-specific thing.
Although some would argue this to be common sense, it isn't the case when it comes to bottom paint. One should not buy based on copper content which is very misleading. Exaggeration for effect - if one lines the bottom with copper foil, you have the equivalent of 100% copper, however, once the surface becomes oxidized, it becomes inert and is not available for anti-fouling after a short time. The real indicator of the efficacy of bottom paint is how the copper is available as a biocide. Both epoxy and ablative paint efficacy is determined based on how copper is renewed and available upon exposure. Unfortunatley, simply reading the can won't tell you anything useful. It's far preferable to talk with others in your specific area to see what works and what doesn't as it is a very location-specific thing.
what Don said!
You really want to find out what people use around your new marina in NC. The fact that I use a certain type of paint here in California isn't necessarily going to help. You'll probably need to hire a diver to clean the bottom 4-6 times a year. Your best bet is to find a reputable, experienced diver and ask him what paint seems to hold up the best.
You really want to find out what people use around your new marina in NC. The fact that I use a certain type of paint here in California isn't necessarily going to help. You'll probably need to hire a diver to clean the bottom 4-6 times a year. Your best bet is to find a reputable, experienced diver and ask him what paint seems to hold up the best.
Bottoms in NC
Trinidad SR works the best in the New Bern area. Most everyone in our marina uses it and if put on correctly lasts 2-2.5 years. My diver does every other month from March through October then one dive in Jan just to check things out. Where are you going to keep the boat in NC? Vinny
Trinidad SR works the best in the New Bern area. Most everyone in our marina uses it and if put on correctly lasts 2-2.5 years. My diver does every other month from March through October then one dive in Jan just to check things out. Where are you going to keep the boat in NC? Vinny
Thanks Vinny
for the info. I am leaning towards Trinadad at this point. Boat will be in Fairfield Harbour.
for the info. I am leaning towards Trinadad at this point. Boat will be in Fairfield Harbour.
Fairfield
is where we are. Northwest Creek. I'll be glad to hook you up with the diver I use. Mike's Dive service. Great service, never misses when he say's he'll be there and really reasonable if you do a verble contract with him. Do you have a slip in NW Creek? Vinny
is where we are. Northwest Creek. I'll be glad to hook you up with the diver I use. Mike's Dive service. Great service, never misses when he say's he'll be there and really reasonable if you do a verble contract with him. Do you have a slip in NW Creek? Vinny
Interlux Micron Extra
Don: I have used Interlux Micron Extra with great results in NY salt waters. I put a coat of Blue on first then two coats of Black. Once I see the Blue come thru (approx. 2 yrs) I then put on two more coats of Black. The paint is ablative so it wears down and also removes the slim and barnacles do not cling to it. The problem though is the propeller and shaft which will need cleaning off the barnacles over time (usually every six months). I tried spraying on a clear bottom paint and it helps alittle but it comes off over time (usually every 6 months). Ray
Don: I have used Interlux Micron Extra with great results in NY salt waters. I put a coat of Blue on first then two coats of Black. Once I see the Blue come thru (approx. 2 yrs) I then put on two more coats of Black. The paint is ablative so it wears down and also removes the slim and barnacles do not cling to it. The problem though is the propeller and shaft which will need cleaning off the barnacles over time (usually every six months). I tried spraying on a clear bottom paint and it helps alittle but it comes off over time (usually every 6 months). Ray
Vinny,
we have a slip in the Harbour at Birdland Docks. No slips were available in Northwest Creek when I spoke with Bud back in September '06.
we have a slip in the Harbour at Birdland Docks. No slips were available in Northwest Creek when I spoke with Bud back in September '06.
in North Carolina. Yesterday Three Sheets was hauled after two years in the water. I found one barnacle and one only. Now I credit this to two things. Trinidad SR and the bi - monthly scrub by the diver. There was still enough paint on the hull to have gone possibly another year. The reason for the haul out was several mechanical items that were easier out of the water and the fact that the PO did a poor job of prepping the hull when he painted the bottom the last time (he had the boat for sell at the time). The diver had told me there was a spot about as big as a basketball, that all of the paint had flaked off of and around the water line it was flaking off as well. So I had it hauled. In addition to her new bottom she is getting her new Kiwi prop, a couple of through hull ball valves replaced (the handles rusted off inside the boat and I can't find replacement handles, and the remainder serviced), a line cutter and buffed and waxed. Summer is coming here in NC and we need to be ready. Vinny
Trinadad SR
Just ordered it. Was at the boat today. Sanded the bottom, cleaned the hull and applied a coat of polish. As soon as the temps go up some more, the paint will go on. Anticipated splash date is 4/21. Vinny, Thanks for the update. Since I am a diver, I'll be checking and cleaning often. Also heard rumor today that the FH amenity fee is going up by $250. I'll be stopping in to see were my name is on the list for Northwest Creek Marina.
Just ordered it. Was at the boat today. Sanded the bottom, cleaned the hull and applied a coat of polish. As soon as the temps go up some more, the paint will go on. Anticipated splash date is 4/21. Vinny, Thanks for the update. Since I am a diver, I'll be checking and cleaning often. Also heard rumor today that the FH amenity fee is going up by $250. I'll be stopping in to see were my name is on the list for Northwest Creek Marina.
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