do i need bottom paint?

[lucky7]

bowrider will be mostly trailered except 2-3 weeks each summer where it will be kept in winniepesaki. {fresh water}
boat will never see the ocean, is bottom paint just for salt water boats? my manual says if boat will be in water for more than 2 weeks, to use somthing. any thoughts?

 

[steelespike]

Re: do i need bottom paint?

I don't think you need paint just clean her up as needed.
If the lake is real warm or scummy you might need to give it a quick rub down every day or so.

 

[magster65]

Re: do i need bottom paint?

In a word, no.
I boat almost exclusively in salt water. In that you're ok for a couple weeks. Fresh water seems to be ok for more than double that. Even if you do get a little growth or staining, do a search here for hull cleaners. A simple toilet bowl cleaner will quickly remove all signs of ever being moored. Bottom paint also adds weight and drag.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: do i need bottom paint?

Bottom paint is not just for saltwater boats. But you still don't need to paint yours. Cleaning it as described by magster will be required. And you may want to scrub what you can reach every weekend like steelspike mentions.
You could try some "Super Slick" a product I found in Overton's. It a real thick wax type product that you apply to a clean bottom and don't wipe off. The stuff would grow on it, not your hull. And you can gently brush it while in the water and most if not all the growth will come off. I would use it if I were you.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: do i need bottom paint?

We used to go to granny's for two week vacations. Always had to descum the hull afterwards.

I saw actual test data on it once, and you don't want a scummy or barnacled up bottom, period. The test was a step by step, week by week, performance evaluation and it went to pot in a handbasket fast..

 

[External Combustion]

Re: do i need bottom paint?

I tend to disagree with the thoughts that only salties need bottom paint.

I am a dry land sailor that spends a little time in the briney. Though growth on the bottom of my most used boat is of no matter to her speed or to the cooling capacity of her copper heat excahnger tubes, I do believe that the seriously toxic antifouling paint that I put on her helps slow down the spread of unwanted and dangerous foriegn plant and animal species.

Zebra mussels and water hyacinths are but two invasive foriegners that have wreaked havoc with our ecology. Anything that can sicken and kill the new invaders is something that we should all spend a few voluntary bucks for.

I am NOT advocating a government program to require anything, but I do advocate the best bottom paint that you can afford on any salt or freshwater boat.

Just some thoughts frome down here in the Nations.

 

[magster65]

Re: do i need bottom paint?

Sorry, I didn't mean that only salt water boats need protection. I only meant that from what I've experienced they grow 'stuff' faster. I wouldn't paint my hull or outdrive though unless it was more permanent moorage than a couple - few weeks in the summer... salt or fresh.
Happy New Year!