Life of bottom paint out of water

[mdsdurango]

Second post from new member searching for a great sailboat up to 30'.
I'm looking at a boat that has been out of the water for a couple of years. Last year the bottom was painted with anti fouling paint. My question is; what is the shelf life of anti fouling paint when on a boat that has not seen water since the paint job?

Thanks.
Mike

 

[rgranger]

I think it depends on if it is hard or ablative... but I don't know the answer either way. Someone here will ....

 

[Joetech]

What type of paint?

Ablatives will 'reactivate' when put back in the water. Others need to be in the water fairly soon after painting. After several years, even ablatives will not be in good enough shape to be successfully repainted. You need to use the same type of paint or strip down to the gel coat or barrier coat. Then you can use any type of paint you like. I looked at a very nice boat (above the water line) that someone had tried to put VC17 over ablative. What a mess.

 

[Ted]

It all depends on the type of bottom paint. Some have no adverse effects while out of the water and others will need to be repainted. If you know what is on there now the answer is easy. Otherwise we're just guessing.

 

[mdsdurango]

I will see what I can find out about what type of paint was applied. I am going to look at the boat next weekend and will take a lot of pictures as well. I'll post back then with what information I have.
Thanks much!