Sanding=HELL
Hi in Massachusets'I have a 1974 C-22 that had accumulated quite an impressive bottom paint build up. In fact I could swear it was a quarter inch thick!.. I decided to take it off by using a paint scraper to remove the majority of "big chips" and then an orbital sander to remove the rest- down to the original gelcoat. Yuck!! THAT was an awful way to spend last spring!The gelcoat had no blisters and looked basically sound, but had quite a few "spider cracks" over its surface. Most people at marine stores and also at the Catalina 22 Foredeck said "don't worry".Okay, call me compulsive! I carefully cleaned the bare gelcoat with lots of acetone and applied clear epoxy to the entire hull (below the waterline) with a West Marine "No Nap" foam roller. It took exactly one quart of resin. Then I sanding this and applied three coats of Interlux "Aquarious" Waterbase bottom paint. It is a fairly hard paint to the touch until the boat is in the water. It has no toxins and works by "sliding off" and not allowing grunge to adhere to the bottom, especially while you are sailing. I still found that it helped to snorkle dive and brush the waterlilne every six weeks or so.After going to the Strictly Sail Show here in Chicago last February though, I found a Soy bean-based paint remover that does an incredible job- with NO SANDING! But it's not cheap. It would have had to be done in two stages since the paint was so thick and I think the cost of the chemical alone would be nearly $200. But sanding over one's head and breathing all that (toxic) dust is something I would gladly have missed.Good luck with your C-22!If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at boatyodoe@21stcentury.netSteve Cook