How Long Before Launch Can I Paint?

[Joe Mullee]

I need to sand and paint the bottom. I will be launched the week of April 11. I plan on using West Marine CPP Plus bottom paint. My question is how long before launch can I paint? I've heard not to paint any more than two weeks before launch while the West Marine manager says up to 60 days is OK. Thanks. Joe M.

 

[Rob]

Read the can

It should tell you right on the can. Some paints can be imersed as little as 4 hours after painting, most that I use (Ablatives) need 8-16 hours.

 

[Paul (Affinity C320)]

I'd follow the directions on the can

for the paint I plan to use.I normally paint a few days before going in, 3-7 days. But many paints have no time limit. Some only need to be refreshed with light sanding and no new paint is needed. Best of luck.Paul

 

[Warren M.]

Time before launch

I think most copolymer annual ablatives can go up to 60 days prior to launch. The multi-season ones can go for years. As with most painting tasks, surface prep is probably a more important factor, however. My boat is only about 10 miles below yours and I'm just waiting for a few good days above 50-deg to paint the bottom (and its snowing today!) So you can paint anytime between now and launch and not worry about it.I've also been astounded to see that in our yard, the launch crew will paint the spots on your hull covered by the jackstand pads if you leave them a brush and some paint. From the time they paint until the time your boat goes into the drink is often less than a hour. Yet I've never seen a boat come out at the end of the season and have problems due to the very short time between painting these spots and launch....

 

[r.w.landau]

Joe,

you need to read specs. on the product.I'm going to give some examples:If your boat is in the water 365 days a years there is a bottom paint for that.If your boat sits on a trailer 4-6 months a year there is a bottom paint for that.Here is the problem... If you use a bottom paint that is meant to be used for a boat that is in the water year round and your boat is on a trailer 4-6 months of that, the bottom hardens and is not effective the following year.thus, you have wasted a couple hundred bucks.My suggestion is to make sure the paint you chose is the right paint for the job.r.w.landau

 

[Bob]

Good paint

Last year I painted with CPP Plus and was very pleased with the results, though I keep my boat in fresh water and thus it sees a very different environment than yours. That is a multi-season paint and I don't think it makes much difference how long the boat is out. I give the bottom a very light going-over with a soft natural sponge every few weeks when the weather is warmer. We pulled the boat about a month ago, and there was just a slight scum buildup along the waterline, and the rest of the hull looks like it was powerwashed, even though I had not cleaned it from September to February.