Do I bottom paint?

A forum for discussion of how to rig and tune your boat or kicker to achieve the best sailing performance.
Post Reply
User avatar
marlenemwa
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2006 6:50 am

Do I bottom paint?

Post by marlenemwa »

I bought the '98 X, (the one without the motor) and it is at BlueWater's shop now getting a brand new 50hp four stroke installed. (yeahaa! Thanks for your advice on that)

Question...we plan on keeping the boat in the water (Puget Sound) during the summer months only.

Should I bottom paint?
James V
Admiral
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"

Post by James V »

Good place to look for advice. I found that I had some growth on mine after 3 weeks in the water. All that I had to do is scrub it off with a brush.

A little chilly for your area to do that.

Check out this product
Image

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... 29/11204/4

Talk to people in the area and see what they say.
User avatar
Terry
Admiral
Posts: 1487
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:35 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada. '03 26M - New Yamaha 70

Bottom Paint

Post by Terry »

Since you are only mooring for summer months only you might want to try your first season without the paint and discover for yourself how much trouble it is to keep the hull clean. Once you bottom paint you are committed to maintaining it whereas with waxing your options are still open. I can say from experience that it is a lot of trouble keeing the hull clean without the paint as that is the route I have chose and I also moor in the Pacific Northwest for 4-6 months. This year I am trying the Aurora Marine VS721 anti-fouling bottom wax, I have been in the water three weeks now and I already see algae on the transom. I plan to pull it out on the May Long weekend (May 22) for closer inspection and a quick pressure wash, perhaps an extra coat of wax too. I anticipate cleaning every 5-6 weeks to keep it from becoming too fouled, this may be more effort than bottom painting in the end but I will persevere anyway. Bottom painting may be the route for some but after talking to others in the marina I have heard that hull cleaning is an annual ritual anyway with repainting bi-yearly at minimum so I am still going with the waxing route. I will know by the end of the season if the claims for the Auroa product are substantiated. I think both routes are a lot of work & cost.
User avatar
norbert
First Officer
Posts: 257
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:25 am
Location: 26x '97 Berlin, Germany

Post by norbert »

it is not (only) the question of growth. if you keep your boat in the water you should imperatively paint your hull with an epoxy barrier coat to prevent osmosis! search for "osmosis" or "blisters" on this board. or ask the blue water crew for their opinion. epoxy paint is expensive, and you will need 4-8 coats. but it lasts for 10 years or longer and is the only secure way to preserve your investment. antifouling is painted on the epoxy. 2-3 coats first time, one more each spring should be enough to avoid barnacles.
User avatar
Catigale
Site Admin
Posts: 10421
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
Contact:

Post by Catigale »

I followed the recommendation of Art Reiders at Havencraft and neither bottom painted nor epoxied. I trailered for two seasons and slipped from March through November in cold fresh water in the Hudson river for two seasons. I spent a couple of weeks in salt water too at Cape Cod both of these seasons too.

I pressure washed off small amounts of marine growth and have no blisters.
Post Reply