I have a 19 footer that I bought a couple of yrs ago and the bottom paint ends below the water line. Since its a 30 year old boat it appears that its always been that way. It's been moored in fresh water for the past 10 yrs and I clean the hull with muric acid and it comes out ok with effort. Starting next year we're docking it in salt water. Should I paint the bottom paint up to the water line? Is there a reason that the factory painted the bottom lower than the water line?
ODay 19
- Thread starter lp_gilbert
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If you are mooring in salt water, you should put anti-fouling bottom paint on the bottom. Otherwise, you'll get a good lesson in barnacle and other marine growth removal at the end of the season.
Do your research with locals - bottom paint that works in, say, FL won't necessarily work well in the Chesapeake...
There are all kinds of bottom paint, from ablative that slowly sloughs off to keep the chemicals fresh, to hard anti fouling that may not maintain potency out of the water, to even wax based for powerboats who want to go fast.
You can research at places like Practical Sailor magazine, but they only test paints in one place, I think in FL. Your best bet is to ask local boaters and boat yards what seems to work best for your area.
Brian
Do your research with locals - bottom paint that works in, say, FL won't necessarily work well in the Chesapeake...
There are all kinds of bottom paint, from ablative that slowly sloughs off to keep the chemicals fresh, to hard anti fouling that may not maintain potency out of the water, to even wax based for powerboats who want to go fast.
You can research at places like Practical Sailor magazine, but they only test paints in one place, I think in FL. Your best bet is to ask local boaters and boat yards what seems to work best for your area.
Brian
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