Monterey boat bottom paint ???

[amanphoto]

Have a newer Monterey Cruiser that is at a slip in fresh water. It does not have any bottom paint on it now. I was told that Monterey's are prone to blisters? Has anyone had experience with this? The marina recommended sanding the entire bottom, painting a barrier coat on, then bottom paint. What are your thoughts on this process.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

Well if you are prone to blisters, the barrier coat is the way to go. Do other boats in the marina have antifouling paint? In freshwater it is sometimes unnecessary.

 

[shrew]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

Sanding, barrier coat, bottom paint. That is the proper process. Whichever paint you choose, use that manufacturer's barrier coat. Apply following the manufacturers exact instructions. Petit and Interlux are probably the largest brands out there and have very wide lines. I personally wouldn't do this on the cheap.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

We are on the market to upgrade to a 31 to 35 footer and Monterey was on the list. I was a bit surprised since the 6 to 8 we looked at 3 of them did not have any bottom paint and the ones without bottom paint had blisters.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

Paint the bottom. Fiberglass will absorb water and it will do several things, slow down the boat, cost you more fuel, look nasty after a few months and possibly cause blisters.

 

[amanphoto]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

Is this something I can do myself?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

If you can block the boat up and remove the trailer, the painting is easy. Epoxy barrior coat is two part, and it temperature sensitive. I would recommend a light sanding before applying the paint.

Use masking tape to mark the waterline, and then cut in along the tape edge with a brush, and roll the balance. Read up on several barrior coat paints. Some require more coats than others. Some require 6-8 coats, which is a real PIA. I used a product (pettit?) that required only 3 coats and with the cool ambiant temp in the spring, I put one coat on each morning before work. Follow it with 2 coats of antifouling paint.

 

[amanphoto]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

I under stand the antifoulent paint keeping the growth down, but why the barrier coat. If it is so important to keeping the water out of the fiberglass, why doesn't the manufactures do it on the boats when they are made?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

Some manufacturers try to keep the water out by using a vinylester resin as the exterior hull coat. This is better than polyester resin. Sometimes incorrect resin curing also contributes to blistering.

Normally newer boats will not have blister issues. Of course no one wants to take that chance, so coating with barrior coat is the easy solution to stop a potential problem.

 

[amanphoto]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

I still don't understand. I'm taking my mirror like smooth bottom and ruffing it up and rolling on some Epoxy. That doesn't sound logical. Smooth = batter gas mileage.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Monterey boat bottom paint ???

Well, if you need antifouling paint (AKA Bottom Paint), the hull will not be smooth, as the paint is heavy and soft. If you want to apply antifouling paint and keep the boat in the water, a barrier paint is a cheap, effective way to assure no blisters. The barrier coat is smoother than antifouling paint.

if you do not apply antifouling paint, and you needed it, the hull will get all kinds of stuff growing on it. Again not smooth like orig gel coat.