which bottom paint should I use?

[jmencel]

I suspect this may open a can of worms, but here goes. My freshwater Hatt (Great Lakes) has an epoxy barrier boat with Interlux VC 17 on it. I'm getting the boat ready to do the Great Loop which means changing the bottom paint for one that works in salt water. In talking with Interlux, nothing will stick over VC17 so they told me to sand it off (80 grit), then repaint with either Micron Extra with Biolux, or Micron CSC. I know many of you always run in salt water, and would appreciate your advice on what paint I should be using. Following the loop trip the boat will likely be once again on the Great Lakes. Thanks !

 

[Boatsb]

Micron 66 has been the best of all I have used.

 

[Bill Allen]

I run micron extra the hatt has sat for a year sent my dive mates down scrubbed up nicely. Dive boat since it runs 22-24 knots and 3 or four times a week it really has no growth on the bottom. Transom gets some but brushs right off. I painted the dive boats bottom first coat blue then black. When I do it again just touch up anywhere it's blue. Been doing it this way for 5 years works for me. Bill

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

I put on 3 coats of Micron CSC in 2005 and have had zero problems with it.... My diver still says mine is the easiest hull he cleans at my marina.
I jumped in the water back in July and could wipe the hull clean with just my hand...
Will be hauling her out in the Spring as 5 yrs is a long time, no matter what paint you use

 

[bobk]

I put on 3 coats of Micron CSC in 2005 and have had zero problems with it.... My diver still says mine is the easiest hull he cleans at my marina.
I jumped in the water back in July and could wipe the hull clean with just my hand...
Will be hauling her out in the Spring as 5 yrs is a long time, no matter what paint you use

Charlie, how many hours do you run a year? I've thought about ablatives, but worry that I'd loose the paint with 300-400 hours operation each year.

Bob

 

[MikeP]

Use something that works well in your area - bottom paint that works well in Long Island sound may not work well in FL, etc. I'd just ask the guys where you are what they use.

 

[REBrueckner]

Mike P has the right idea...
I've posted here before about a paint company using multiple squares of different paint... on the bottom of one sailboat I observed during haulout....perhaps a dozen or 18 test squares...the guys sampling/ photographing at haulout explained Interlux [or International] does tests all around the country to see what works best in different areas....

 

[Glory]

The Great Loop, that is a lot different types of water. It's not going to be easy to find the ideal product.

I have Micron CSC on the bottom , last haul three seasons ago, still doing a good job.

JM

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Talk to Maynard Rupp. He kept VC17 on his boat for over a year in Miami. If you are just doing the loop and not leaving the boat in salt water, I think you could stick with it. That way you won't have to sand it off.

 

[rsmith]

I dont know a lot about the latest paints because my boat has had Pettit unepoxy blue on it for 43 years. Ive never stripped it sandblasted it or anything. Ive never had 1 blister. If I get loose paint I chip it off and paint right over the old stuff and it sticks just fine. When I'm in the yard people tell me how ugly the bottom is but the fish don't seem to care And I've never seen any loss of speed. Ive done it myself every year cause the old man always said it was part of paying your dues.
That said, when I was a kid we had a lapstrake wood boat. I dont remember what paint we used but it was this thick nasty red stuff that took me 3 hours to stir up. Nobody used rollers then it was always a massive old brush that you cleaned out every year. Anyway one year the old man came up with some new paint, it was "new and improved" said so on the can. so we did our thing I painted and he bs'd with the guy on the next boat. Got done cleaned up with gas(thats all we had back then). Next day we came back and the new paint had softened and lifted all the old paint. I spent the next 3 weeks with a bernzomatic torch and a scraper getting all the mess off and down to the bare wood.
If your going to make changes make sure the new stuff is happy with the old stuff.

 

[jmencel]

fyi ... i chatted with Maynard about continuing with the VC17 while in salt water. Here's his reply:

"The VC-17 will work just fine in salt water. The only issue we had was a buildup of barnacles during a Miami summer. They washed off easily with a preassure washer. We had great results from our arrival in Miami during September until our April haulout. (The Vc-17 coating had been, at the time of our Miami trip, on the boat all summer in the Great Lakes.) We lightly scotch brighted and applied one new coat. After a full year, we did have the barnacle issue, but no grassy growth. We did switch to Petit Trinidad Pro at that time. Don't worry, it will be fine."

So I think I'm going to stick with my VC17 for the trip rather than strip it a put a new AF paint on. And thanks to the forum member who suggested I contact Maynard. I very much appreciate it !!!! John