Lake Erie anti-fouling?

[Ed Schenck]

For eight years on Lake Erie every spring I would add a coat of hard modified-epoxy anti-fouling, usually Petit's Trinidad SR. In 2008 while laying over in NC I had a yard sand away most of that. I switched to an ablative for what I thought would be many years in salt water. Now back on Lake Erie I wonder what you guys and gals are using in an ablative. The Petit gave me excellent results and is hard and fast. But I am done sanding every spring. I will stay with an ablative.

 

[Roger Long]

And I just said in another thread that I thought VC 17 was ubiquitous in that part of the world...

 

[Ed Schenck]

Read that Roger. There is a fair amount, that is true. In my marina with a lot of larger boats I would say less than half use VC17.

 

[Roger Long]

I would say less than half use VC17.

If you don't mind the copper, it's actually quite a good paint. I like the prep and application ease very much. It works fine for me here in Maine although I expect I'll be doing a lot of diving and scrubbing when I go south next fall.

Oh well, it should be good exercise and I can't afford to have it stripped off this year.

 

[Scott B]

I've been using Micron CSC. It has the advantage of being able to haul and relaunch without repainting and still remain active. Couple of years and add another coat without having to sand.

 

[Paul356]

VC 17. I usually repaint only every other year. Lake Michigan.

 

[Ed A]

ED, i would try another coat of what you have on now. why change and have problems? it it wont work then change next year.

 

[colinhulse]

What to use in crystal clear drinking water?? LOL

 

[higgs]

VC here and when i was in Lake Mich. Once its on, no more sanding.

 

[Ken Palmer]

I use VC17 here on Lake Ontario. Many people using it except for those with older boats or don't race. I think ablative would be much easier to apply. The VC17 evaporates so quickly that I use a covered roller pan or squeeze bottle to apply to a roller. Tried many types of rollers and think the foam rollers are the best, but you can't use the cheap ones because they fall apart. Oh yes, adding the copper can really make a mess in VC17. It does a great job keeping the critters and slime off the bottom.

 

[Ed Schenck]

From what I have read here I guess I will take Ed A's advice and try in Lake Erie what worked in North Carolina and Florida. My thinking was that there might be a better paint for fresh water. But since I come out after six months it will be easy to check. So Interlux Micron CSC it will be. And someone did mention that.

 

[Steve Kamp]

Ed, the Petit Trinidad SR works well for me here in the Neuse River and up and down the coast. During the warm water season April/October, I have a diver wipe the hull with a very non abrasive pad every other month. When the boat is moving it almost is self cleaning of the algae/slime, but still need to lightly scrape barnacles.