Which antifouling?

[Mike H]

I use VC17 but every year the last fews years the price goes up by $5 per quart to $40/qt now every year. What would be the best multi-year bottom paint for Lake Erie giving performance and wear characteristics similar to the VC ? I do not race but I like performance cruising. Will it be necessary to completely strip the VC17 ?Thanks

 

[Ed Schenck]

Modified-epoxy for me.

I know the consensus is probably for ablative paint but I prefer the modified-epoxy. It seems faster, hard and smooth. It does build up but I can easily go two seasons on Lake Erie. Then a light sanding with a vacuum sander and another light coat. Good for another two seasons.I was using Trinidad SR($149. gal.) which is too much on my new retirement income. I am trying the West Marine brand this year(Related Link). My boat has come out clean for five seasons now. So we will see how WM works. Seems to have the same chemistry. I paid less than $100. but I see $129. in the online catalog. Takes one gallon for my 37-footer.

 

[John Tesoriero]

Check Practical Sailor

The Practical Sailor publication has an article, almost every year, comparing the various brands of bottom paint, under many different conditions. The most expensive are not always the best. Their web site is www.practical-sailor.com