Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

[Scuda11]

Hi guys. I know this question is asked allot and I did a search and found some good pointers but didn't find a great answer to my question.<br /><br />I will prob keep my boat at my uncles mooring (salt water) for about a month this summer, tops. Other than that, I trailer it to a lake also, where I tube and ski with my kids.<br /><br />I know I need to treat the bottom for my mooring stay but don't want to have the nasty anti-fouling rubbing off on everyone when we get in and out using the swim ladder (my experience as a kid) are there any good alternatives anyone would recommend that isn't as nasty?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

here's the deal- if your boat is staying in saltwater, or even brackish, you need to properly paint it with anti-fouling paint. period.<br /><br />but, if you are telling the absolute truth, and this stay will only last one month, here's what i would do- wash and wax the entire boat, including hull, before it goes in. once a week, you need to pull the boat. scrub it down very well, wash and wax again. do this each week and you'll be fine.<br /><br />but i warn you, don't think you'll get away with this for long. that first week you get lazy and don't pull it, you will have serious issues.<br /><br />now with that said, water temp plays a big factor. if you're dropping it in the water today up in mass, you could probably go two weeks before pulling it to clean. but once the water warms, the barnacles will come.

 

[Scuda11]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

Thanks Matt. I bought the boat last summer and it already had AF bottom paint on it. It needs to be redone however and was wondering if there was any other options. I obviously need to paint something on it, so I might just go with AF, do you recommend Interlux Micron?

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

I had used interlux Micron AF in the pass with no problems.That boat was trailered,but left in the water for weekends(saltwater).Paint lasted around 2 1/2 years before ware spots started to show to the primer.I had aplied 3 coats.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

highly. i used interlux micron csc on my last boat, and just used interlux micron extra on my new boat (same as the csc, but with biolux added). if you have a smooth surface to apply (sand old paint with 80 or 100 grit and then clean well), you can just roll it on nice and thick. will just wear over time, should have no chipping or cracking. just need to touch it up each year or even skip a year or two, depending on your use. great, high quality, ablative paint.

 

[magster65]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

It depends on the water you're in but here a month in the salt wouldn't be a problem with no paint. Bottom paint will slow your boat down by 5 to 15% depending on the type used so avoid it if you can. The wax that Matt mentioned is all you need for a month. Also, if you can keep the boat in the shade, the growth is much much slower. It's common here to hang a tarp in the water to shade the drive unit. The shade also slows the growth dramatically.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

Interlux Micron 66 is good stuff, as is Pettit’s Trinidad SR. Both are neck-n-neck in Powerboat Report’s ongoing evaluation of bottom paint performance, neither is better than the other. Fwiw, they are beating out a crowd of about 54 different bottom coats that are part of the evaluation. The Micron 66 ($194/gal) contains 40.41% copper. The Trinidad ($154/gal) contains a whopping 70% copper. Both have slime-resistant additive, hence the “SR” in the name of the Pettit product.<br /><br />The “nasty” stuff you are referring to is called TBT. It was removed from all bottom paint about 3-years ago…actually removed from all paints. It is really good stuff to inhibit mold, fungus growth in damp places (bathrooms, steam rooms) but very toxic for the environment. TBT is still available with a permit, and can be mixed into bottom paint, but the whole process of buying it, mixing it, and applying must be overseen by a licensed specialist. It’s basically cost prohibitive to do. In my area, commercial fishing boats are still being painted with TBT laced bottom coat, as was my boat two years ago.<br /><br />Couple things to keep in mind, if you go with colored bottom paint, not all hold up well. Black is still king of performance in bottom paints, but it is not always necessary. Since your boat will be out of the water most of the time I doubt you will have issues with any color of bottom paint you choose.<br /><br />The other thing to know is that Interlux Micro 66 is NOT intended for use in fresh water. It is intended for a boat that will be used only in the ocean.<br /><br />PBR’s ongoing testing of bottom paints has been in the works for about 10-years. They paint one side of two identical panels. One panel goes into the ocean in Connecticut, the other in Florida. The Connecticut panels never do as well as the Florida panels, i.e. different marine biology. So the folks in Florida get a little more choice in bottom coats that perform well. Being in Mass, you may want to stick with either of the two paints mentioned above. Personally, I think there is enough dollar difference between the two paints to influence any decision on which I would use.

 

[Scuda11]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

Great info guys! Thanks much, esp about the Micro 66 not intended for fresh water.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

i have to disagree with the statement that bottom painting produces a 5-15% decrease in speed. i've now owned two boats that i ran without paint and then painted and ran. both showed no noticeable difference in speed before or after the paint. maybe a boat with years of neglect and a rough, 5 coat surface of paint. but if properly prepared, and a high quality ablative paint used, you simply won't motice a difference unless you're racing your 42 fountain and looking for that extra .3 mph top end.

 

[magster65]

Re: Bottom Paint-Anti Fouling alternative

A clean gelcoat surface has far less friction than a layer of bottom paint. It's true the difference will be negligable on a trawler but on a boat that cruises over 30 (like Scuda's likely does) it will make a difference. <br />I agree about the importance of the prep work. Hey matt, your avatar sucks buddy!