How often do you paint the bottom of your boat? Do you cover it annually, or more frequently? Is every other year -- perhaps less -- enough for you, or are you satisfied with bare gelcoat? How often, and how, do you prep and paint your boat? Share your painting artistry here, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Every Spring
I give the hull a coat of VC17 every spring. Goes on in less than 2 hours, is dry in 30 minutes... looks good too! Ken Mahren Miss"T" Oday 25
I give the hull a coat of VC17 every spring. Goes on in less than 2 hours, is dry in 30 minutes... looks good too! Ken Mahren Miss"T" Oday 25
Growing Medium
I've always used an ablative paint each year in the spring. Problem is: you can't scrub it down over the course of the season. The barnacles don't seem to care for it but the grass/slime think it's a wonderful place to bond. I'm going to try a hard paint next year and see how it does.
I've always used an ablative paint each year in the spring. Problem is: you can't scrub it down over the course of the season. The barnacles don't seem to care for it but the grass/slime think it's a wonderful place to bond. I'm going to try a hard paint next year and see how it does.
Every one to two seasons...
With two coats of paint (Woolsey Hydrocoat) I can get two seasons in the water (about 4 to 6 months each). Before the second season, touch up work needs to be done. I have a complete bottom paint done at the boat yard. The touch ups I do myself. Woolsey Hydrocoat is a "hard" ablative that withstands scrubbing and trailering well. It can also dry out for extended periods of time without loosing effectiveness. It is also a water based paint which is better for the environment as well as the people working with it. Fair winds... Tom
With two coats of paint (Woolsey Hydrocoat) I can get two seasons in the water (about 4 to 6 months each). Before the second season, touch up work needs to be done. I have a complete bottom paint done at the boat yard. The touch ups I do myself. Woolsey Hydrocoat is a "hard" ablative that withstands scrubbing and trailering well. It can also dry out for extended periods of time without loosing effectiveness. It is also a water based paint which is better for the environment as well as the people working with it. Fair winds... Tom
When it needs it
Some manufacturers say their bottom paint will last as long as 3 years, but that's like saying a battery lasts 60 months; it depends upon the conditions, I think. Now, I remember that stuff they used to slap on the bottom of boats near the shipyard where I lived as a kid growing up in South Mississippi; that junk, whatever it was, never seemed to wear off of anything...including you if you got some on you! But, times have changed a bit and I just start with a high-quality bottom paint -- this year it was Interlux Ultra -- and I expect to get at least 15 months out of it; maybe more, but I expect only 15 months. I keep an eye on the bottom and recoat it when it looks like it needs it. In the long run, I guess, bottom paint can be cheap compared to the alternatives.
Some manufacturers say their bottom paint will last as long as 3 years, but that's like saying a battery lasts 60 months; it depends upon the conditions, I think. Now, I remember that stuff they used to slap on the bottom of boats near the shipyard where I lived as a kid growing up in South Mississippi; that junk, whatever it was, never seemed to wear off of anything...including you if you got some on you! But, times have changed a bit and I just start with a high-quality bottom paint -- this year it was Interlux Ultra -- and I expect to get at least 15 months out of it; maybe more, but I expect only 15 months. I keep an eye on the bottom and recoat it when it looks like it needs it. In the long run, I guess, bottom paint can be cheap compared to the alternatives.
Bottom Painting
I use an ablative and wash the bottom every week, so when she comes out there not much left and the bottom is very smooth. So I repaint every year.
I use an ablative and wash the bottom every week, so when she comes out there not much left and the bottom is very smooth. So I repaint every year.
Bottom paint
In November it will be three years. The diver is still reporting fair/poor on paint coverage and I'd extend till spring if I didn't need to haul out to service the Max-Prop, so it'll be three years on Petitt Trinidad.
In November it will be three years. The diver is still reporting fair/poor on paint coverage and I'd extend till spring if I didn't need to haul out to service the Max-Prop, so it'll be three years on Petitt Trinidad.
No more cheap paint
I just got the boat last season. I was in a hurry to launch. Didn't prep well and used cheap paint. The hull has slowed way down. It has 2 inches of growth. Next year I'm going to take her down to the glass, and do everything right.
I just got the boat last season. I was in a hurry to launch. Didn't prep well and used cheap paint. The hull has slowed way down. It has 2 inches of growth. Next year I'm going to take her down to the glass, and do everything right.
Ablative doesn't go quite 2 years for me
I used Interlux CSC for 10 years, recoating every other year with 2 coats. In my present location, I was very unhappy with the growth during the second year, so I switched to Pettit Ultra 2 years ago. I am sad to report that I have a light growth of barnacles now after 2 years. I leave the boat in the water year-round. I do short haul in the spring to redo my prop and maybe I need to give a single light coat of paint every year vs what I have done in the past. I really wish we had the old tin-laden stuff!! Rich
I used Interlux CSC for 10 years, recoating every other year with 2 coats. In my present location, I was very unhappy with the growth during the second year, so I switched to Pettit Ultra 2 years ago. I am sad to report that I have a light growth of barnacles now after 2 years. I leave the boat in the water year-round. I do short haul in the spring to redo my prop and maybe I need to give a single light coat of paint every year vs what I have done in the past. I really wish we had the old tin-laden stuff!! Rich
Trinidad SR, two seasons and still clean.
Nothing on the bottom at haulout except a very thin slime. Did nothing this Spring, not even touchup. If you saw her right now, after the power spray, you would think it was just painted. The modified epoxies stay hard and fast, they just lose their copper over time. Downside is you should sand before the next coat to prevent buildup. Should I try a third season? At $125. a gallon it's tempting.
Nothing on the bottom at haulout except a very thin slime. Did nothing this Spring, not even touchup. If you saw her right now, after the power spray, you would think it was just painted. The modified epoxies stay hard and fast, they just lose their copper over time. Downside is you should sand before the next coat to prevent buildup. Should I try a third season? At $125. a gallon it's tempting.
Cheasapeake bottom paint
Anyone have any recommendations for bottom paint for boats living on the Cheasapeake? The Trinidad SR sounds good, but the critters that live in our water are probably a little different than those living in the Great Lakes.
Anyone have any recommendations for bottom paint for boats living on the Cheasapeake? The Trinidad SR sounds good, but the critters that live in our water are probably a little different than those living in the Great Lakes.
Once and Done!
Three years ago, I bottom painted my Chesapeake boat with Interlux Micron CSC, an ablative paint. I've touched up here and there, but haven't needed to do anything more. No barnicles have accumulated on the painted surfaces, but the prop shaft and prop accumulate about a quart of the crustations. I'm reluctant to paint the prop and prop shaft, because the antifoulant will probably wear off during use.
Three years ago, I bottom painted my Chesapeake boat with Interlux Micron CSC, an ablative paint. I've touched up here and there, but haven't needed to do anything more. No barnicles have accumulated on the painted surfaces, but the prop shaft and prop accumulate about a quart of the crustations. I'm reluctant to paint the prop and prop shaft, because the antifoulant will probably wear off during use.
Every Year
My '85 O'Day 192 stays in the water seven months of the year. Every year I: *power wash the bottom *spot sand and scrape *use primer on bare spots *paint entire bottom with a paint with lots of copper
My '85 O'Day 192 stays in the water seven months of the year. Every year I: *power wash the bottom *spot sand and scrape *use primer on bare spots *paint entire bottom with a paint with lots of copper
Chesapeake Bottom Paint
My neighbor has been sailing chesapeake for 38 years and swears by Trinidad. If you want more info, e-mail me @ ramer1@aol.com
My neighbor has been sailing chesapeake for 38 years and swears by Trinidad. If you want more info, e-mail me @ ramer1@aol.com
Bottom Painting
I paint each spring. I begin by washing the bottom with soap and water; then I sand trying to minimize the depth of chips in the old paint. Finally I use two thin coats of U.S.Paint Awlstar Gold which is an ablative paint. Also, I try to cover the boat each winter.
I paint each spring. I begin by washing the bottom with soap and water; then I sand trying to minimize the depth of chips in the old paint. Finally I use two thin coats of U.S.Paint Awlstar Gold which is an ablative paint. Also, I try to cover the boat each winter.
Final results
How often do you paint your boat's bottom? 36% Once a year 35% Every 2-3 years 25% Every other year 05% Never
How often do you paint your boat's bottom? 36% Once a year 35% Every 2-3 years 25% Every other year 05% Never
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