Hunter 260 Bottom Paint/Barrier Coat over Gel Coat in South Florida

[LarryH]

Im about to put my 1999 Hunter 260 in the water full time, My boat yard suggest 4 coats of a barrier coat over the gel coat then covered with a high copper level paint. They state this will prevent blisters and minimize algae growth and barnacles.

The cost to do this is $2000- $2500 as they have to powerwash and sand the old paint which is a low copper paint which rubs off easily and is chalky.

Is the barrier coat they want to apply overkill? Is the original Hunter Gelcoat epoxy based and therefore not necessary?

Thanks...I’m a first time boat owner and still trying to grasp the art of bottom painting.

Thanks
Larry

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Larry interesting question. It is not easy to get a clear answer from Hunter concerning this either. They discourage sanding the bottom. I think there is a school of thought that if the surface of the gel coat is sanded the hull will absorb more water.
I think if the boat will be wet slipped (especially 12 months of the year) I would go with the barrier coat, if it will be trailered I would just do an antifouling.
I talked to the Hunter dealer in St. Augustine last spring about doing my boat and he quoted $1500 for barrier + antifouling, but I have nothing on the bottom now.
Let us know what you decide and if you are happy with the job.
good luck, Bob

 

[seadaddler]

Over Kill

I think for the most of us sailor's did not have a Barrier Coat done on our boats and just redo bottom antifouling paint every few years.
Barrier coat is a extra protecton coating and maybe because you are keeping the boat in the water 12 months that is why the yard is recommending you do the Barrier Coat.
You will need to still pull the boat every 2 to 3 years to bottom paint any way to keep the barnacles away,I would ask here and many other boating sites how many have Barrier Coat on a boat that is kept in the water 12 months or do they just use a real good rated bottom paint every few years.
Nick

 

[Steve Dion]

If you are going to leave the boat in the water 24 x 7 it is not an overkill and may save thousands of dolllars down the road. The purpose of the barrier coat is to help prevent blisters.

Hunter does NOT void you warranty if you sand the bottom IF you are applying a barrier coat. They WILL void the warranty if you sand the bottom and DO NOT apply the barrier coat.

Our 1985 H'31 has never had a blister since it was new (barrier coated). It get pulled about every 3-4 years for bottom paint.

We purchased our Hunter Vision 36 used so I really do not know if it has a barrier coat or not. I will be pulling her this coming spring and will determine if it had been done or not at that time.

 

[LarryH]

Thanks Nick

Thanks Nick.. After speaking with several firneds and yourself I think it might be over kill. I appreciate your reply and I am just going with a good quality paint.

Cheers,

Larry

 

[soling42]

Our 2004 H260 is usually in the water for 9-10mths a year. There was no bottom paint on it when i bought it used but the previous owner kept it on a lift. I researched the bottom paint needs for S Florida and came to the same conclusion. I LIGHTLY sanded the bottom, cleaned it with a solvent to remove any original mold wax and applied two fairly heavy coats of Shark White ablative by Interlux called Micron extra with Biolux. It'll take about 1 1/4 gals@ $230 gal.

It'll hold up almost three years with a few random sessions with a light scrub now and then(but don't do it too often). Here's a few pics of the most recent paint. The bottom will still get tiny amounts of growth after about 9mths but any slime will die from the biocide. Barnacles will only appear where the paint is applied too thin, wearing off as it's supposed to, or in a low water movement area (like inside the CB well). Anything growing will usually come right off using a mask/snorkel and a plastic scraper or even an old paddle.

Have fun with your new boat, Mike