I have a haul-out scheduled to paint the bottom, but I am asking myself how do I know if I really need new paint. Over the past 10 years I have painted the bottom usually every year and sometimes every second year using Interlux Micron CSC which is a multi-season ablative paint. I last painted two years ago and noted then that there was quite a build-up of paint. I have put about 2000 miles on the boat since it was last painted. Recently, I was cleaning the boat's water line to rid it of the grass and slime that grew over the winter when the boat did not move and noticed first that it came off easily and second the brushing action created clouds of blue paint in the water. Any thoughts on how to decide whether I need new bottom paint?
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Depends on your area
Where I keep my boat it is the fouling capital of the universe. You are lucky to get a season out of your paint without growth, no matter what you use. If you use excellent paint, go to church every Sunday, Stand on 1 leg and hop around for a while, and smile a lot you might get a second year.
Where I keep my boat it is the fouling capital of the universe. You are lucky to get a season out of your paint without growth, no matter what you use. If you use excellent paint, go to church every Sunday, Stand on 1 leg and hop around for a while, and smile a lot you might get a second year.
When you need to bottom paint
depends on a lot of variables. The salinity of the water you sail in and its temperature are very important. The frequency you use your boat, assuming an ablative like CSC, is also important. How well adhered your multi-season paint may be is yet another. Looking at other boats that have been hauled, and have been painted like yours, is also helpful. In the end, I believe you've got to look at the hull, either by getting in the water (if that's safe where you are) or by at least having a "short haul" which would useful to (1) inspect the bottom, (2) clean the hull of crud and slime, (3) look at the condition of underwater through hulls and other hardware, and (4) scrub the bottom to bring up a fresher coat of paint if the old paint is still able to perform. Short hauls are not usually expensive in most places and, if needed, you can decide while the boat is in the slings if you really need to paint the bottom or return the boat to the water. It will be money well spent.
depends on a lot of variables. The salinity of the water you sail in and its temperature are very important. The frequency you use your boat, assuming an ablative like CSC, is also important. How well adhered your multi-season paint may be is yet another. Looking at other boats that have been hauled, and have been painted like yours, is also helpful. In the end, I believe you've got to look at the hull, either by getting in the water (if that's safe where you are) or by at least having a "short haul" which would useful to (1) inspect the bottom, (2) clean the hull of crud and slime, (3) look at the condition of underwater through hulls and other hardware, and (4) scrub the bottom to bring up a fresher coat of paint if the old paint is still able to perform. Short hauls are not usually expensive in most places and, if needed, you can decide while the boat is in the slings if you really need to paint the bottom or return the boat to the water. It will be money well spent.
Peter, Use two different colors
Peter I too use an ablative paint and they work as long as they are there, but they do need scrubbing from time to time to remove the slime that always seems to grow. I used two coats of red as a base, and a light blue over that. If I can see the red, its time to paint.
Peter I too use an ablative paint and they work as long as they are there, but they do need scrubbing from time to time to remove the slime that always seems to grow. I used two coats of red as a base, and a light blue over that. If I can see the red, its time to paint.
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