What bottom paint should I use for speed?

[McIntoshUSA]

I currently use Pettit Hydrocoat Ablative Antifouling 1240 Blue bottom paint mainly because that is what was on it when I bought it. Our boat is kept on a lift (out of the water) The longest it is in the water is usually 2-3 weeks for a cruise. We do a lot of day sailing. I was wondering if there is a better paint to use for speed than the ablative paint since it is not normally in the water too long and I can clean the bottom easily on the lift if i need to. Is there a racing bottom paint that I can apply on top of the ablative paint? Just wondering? Thanks

 

[justsomeguy]

Is there a racing bottom paint that I can apply on top of the ablative paint?

Nope.

 

[Justin_NSA]

If you can easily clean it, why not just remove what you have so the hull is smooth. How quickly does growth build up there?

 

[kloudie1]

Most of the paints that can be polished smooth cannot go over an ablative.. To get the outcome of a fast bottom, all the ablative has to be removed and the glass wiped down with something like acetone so that the new stuff will adhere.. an old standby like this: http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...=2325&familyName=Interlux+VC+17m+Bottom+Paint is pretty good.. There are some new technology paints out now that are kind of a cross between ablative and hard that may be worth a look/see.. but none would be reliable over an old ablative.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Mc,

I like how JUST summed it up in great detail & in longhand...................NOPE!

Remember too, that a Cuprous Oxide bottom paint loses effectiveness over time if out of the water in air.
Living in salt water, our options are limited.

My pal has the same boat with a winged keel. If you can get 6-7 KTS, that's pretty much like Warp Speed Scotty.

CR

 

[fstbttms]

Because your boat is dry sailed, you are limited to ablative paints. Despite what others have inferred, hard paints cannot withstand exposure to air but ablatives can. Unless you are finishing near the top of the pack and are looking to eek out that last fraction of a knot of boat speed, you would probably be better off spending money on new sails.