Bottom Paint

[jddens]

I'm having my boat hauled this week for bottom paint and new zincs. I'm in freah water and the boat is in the water year around. I have gotten several different opinions from some of my dock mates. Most agree that hauling every 2-3 years is adequate for my marina and water conditions......the diff opinions are around the paint to use. Some say ablative(sluffing) is best and others suggest hard epoxy paint......the boat yard is suggesting the epoxy and quoting me $275/gal and say I'll need 2 gallons. My boat is a 1972 F30(fiberglass hull). Any thoughts from you more experienced captains??...........Thanks................John

[prowlersfish]

I like ablative my self if you have ablative on the boat now you need to stay with it or strip off . If you have hard bottom paint you can use what ever you want in most cases . I used hard epoxy for years and hauled evey year . when got this boat it had ablatve so thats what I used got 3 years ( with cleaning the bottom ) I will never go back ! ( unless the epa makes me )

[chumwithabottleofrum]

I've always understood the situation in the following manner:
If it is a bare bottom, either new, or freshly cleaned\sanded\blasted-you probably want the epoxy (barrier coat) to project the bottom and reduce the probablility of osmotic blistering (I don't think Trojans are susceptible to this affliction-especially older ones).
I there is an existing coating on the bottom then you should probably go to an ablative coating.
I dock in freshwater but use abalitive due to the possiblity of foulng or zebra mussel growth. [/i]

[wowzer52]

I use ablative because I can touch it up every couple years as needed instead of painting the whole bottom every time. It works well and West Marine sells it for $100 a gallon. I use the cheapest I can get because it's going to sluff off anyway. Of coarse if you don't use your boat much it's better to use good paint to keep the growth off.

[aaronbocknek]

agreed, ablative is better for where you are...... you can also do a google search for paint and the yard should have no problem with you supplying your own paint. will they allow you to paint your own boat? all the yards in my area allow that.... all you need is about 4 hours to lightly radial sand some rough patches after you power wash--do that as soon as the boat is hauled. after sanding, power wash again to get the schmutz off, let dry then mask off the area and paint with a roller. i actually helped a guy do it a few weeks ago and it could not be more simple.
aaron

[jddens]

Thanks for the replys and opinions.....I had her pulled this morning and she's "on the hard" as I type this. I took it to the boat yard that had her out 2.5 years ago, the previous owner had a high opinion of this yard. I figured they knew the boat and so why change....I am amazed at the condition of her bottom and paint. I am in the CA delta with freah water. I found out that the current paint in a vinyl based bottom paint the the yard owner thinks it is best for our area. After seeing the condidtion after 2.5 years I am in full agreement and will put the same on this time. The zincs are all good too so after this time, I will be a 3 year progam......unfortunately, it is getting more and more difficult to find a yard that lets you work on your boat.....the environmental restrictions are getting crazy.......example....the run off from the power washing has to go through a filter and into a sump, then they have to take it to a hazardous waste disposal site AND provide a receipt for proof.....don't even ask about sanding and painting.......here are a couple pics....before pwr wash and after...............John

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95 ... wrwash.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95 ... wrwash.jpg

[jddens]

Spent the last two days buffing out the boat, 38 year old gel coat came out pretty good. New bottom paint and zincs and repaired the starboard trim tab. She splashes tomorrow morning and then a nice 1 hr ride back to my home marina.....supposed to be raining so guess I'll leave the flybridge covered and and drive from below for the 2nd time ever.....next haul will be in 3 years.....sorry for you guys that have to to on the hard for 5-6 months of the year.........stripers are running and I'll be getting out as often as I can until Thanksgiving, things will slow after that.. Don't get out much at all in the winter, to many hazards floating around. However, I have found the best place ever for a winter afternoon nap...............HappyTrails....John