Bottom Paint

[rmgmag]

This is my 2nd year of boating and it looks like I'm due to put a new coat of bottom paint on my boat. We primarily dock it on the river (freshwater).

It's a 21' Four Winns Sundowner with an 8 1/2' beam. How much paint am I going to need (that stuff is freaky expensive)?

Any brand recommendations would be appreciated too.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Bottom Paint

Can't really help you with your area. It might be good to call a local marina that deals with your area all the time and see what they use for the rivers you run in. Each area and body of water can call for different bottom paint. It may also depend on what is compatable with your existing bottom paint. It may need to be removed and prepped first. Good luck.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bottom Paint

You will need about 2 qts. It could be a bit more or less, likely less, but buy a gallon, and save it for the next time. Here in the salt pond I use an ablative paint, because I can get 2 years out of a coating. I would think you could do the same, but asking around is a real good idea, to verify.

 

[Downforce6]

Re: Bottom Paint

This is my 2nd year of boating and it looks like I'm due to put a new coat of bottom paint on my boat. We primarily dock it on the river (freshwater).

It's a 21' Four Winns Sundowner with an 8 1/2' beam. How much paint am I going to need (that stuff is freaky expensive)?

Any brand recommendations would be appreciated too.

Thanks,

Bob

Did this last weekend... My boat is quite a bit smaller. a 17'er, I forget the beam but thinking 7.6'

I used not quite a half gallon, I put it on fairly thick with a roller.

A gallon should do you I think. I won't make any brand recommendations as I've only tried one.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Bottom Paint

You will need about 2 qts. It could be a bit more or less, likely less, but buy a gallon, and save it for the next time. Here in the salt pond I use an ablative paint, because I can get 2 years out of a coating. I would think you could do the same, but asking around is a real good idea, to verify.

Ditto that. My old 24' express took no more than 3 quarts. If you're gonna buy a gallon make sure the leftover is really well sealed and kept in a cool place.

 

[rmgmag]

Re: Bottom Paint

My guy at the marina told me that because we were in fresh water that we didn't need bottom paint. He said he'd love to sell me $200 worth of paint, but it just doesn't need it unless I'm planning on spending more than a couple of weeks at a time in salt water (which I'm not). So I guess I dodged that bullet, for now. Thanks guys.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bottom Paint

My guy at the marina told me that because we were in fresh water that we didn't need bottom paint. He said he'd love to sell me $200 worth of paint, but it just doesn't need it unless I'm planning on spending more than a couple of weeks at a time in salt water (which I'm not). So I guess I dodged that bullet, for now. Thanks guys.

If you keep your boat in the water all season, you need an epoxy barrier coat, then bottom paint. The barrier coat prevents blisters from forming, the bottom paint keeps the growth off (or down to a bare minimum). It has nothing to due with salt or fresh water. That guy doesn't quite understand bottom paint, then.