moving to salt water

[Ron Cooper]

We keep our boat in freash water. We plan on going south next year. I have no experience with salt water bottom paint. I have been using V C 17 bottom paint. My question is, will that work in salt water? Or do I have to remove it to use what kind of bottom paint. Or do I hire a diver every so often to do the bottom. Any and all help is appreciated, thanks Ron Cooper

 

[hp]

Diver

In the brackish water of the Chespeake Bay and York River, I use Micron CSC which seems to be okay. The secret is having the diver clean the bottom every thirty days. At $20 a pop, it's the best treatment of all.

 

[dave]

salty

just use a ablative bottom (and rudder) paint once a year and you'll be fine

 

[Jim Cook]

Paint type depends on your usage

If you will sail it often, use a good ablative paint. If you will sail only occassionally, use a non-ablative paint.Plan to have a diver clean your bottom for you. How often depends on how much you sail. The more you sail (with an ablative paint), the less often it will need to be cleaned. Prices vary dramatically between geographic areas. In south Texas, I pay $40 for a 27' boat, but I have been told that prices in FL get higher the further south you go. My diver gives a 10% discount for a 1 year contract (4 cleanings).Water conditions heavily affect bottom growth. Some areas are prone to barnicles, while other areas are prone to slime and beards.JimC

 

[Bob Camarena]

Local Knowledge

Local knowledge goes a long way. There are a lot of variables to consider, water temperature, types of organisms, water clarity, etc. all affect how a given paint will perform. I'd hold off until you get to where you're going and talk to the locals about what works best. I agree that routine cleaning by a diver makes sense as does using something like the Dri Diver in between. Again, once a month might be necessary in some locations while in others less often is fine.