bottom paint or not!

[stuendan]

My 26M was bottom painted with an epoxy (I think) antifoul by PO some 4 years ago. Since I've had it, the boat has lived in mast up storage, but the bottom paint is getting a bit tacky.

Is it possible to remove the antifoul and get back to a reasonable gelcoat, or would the gelcoat have been abraded away in the original application process, thereby necessitating re-antifouling (or re-gelcoating).

Also, any Mac owners on the Gold Coast (Aus.) know what happened to Blue Reef Yachts and his Mac spare parts?

Cheers all!

[Cougar]

No worries, the gelcoat is still there. It isn't affected by overlaying paint layers. Why would you want to remove the bottom paint? A tacky layer of bottom paint will protect your boat better than no layer at all.
Btw, if it's tacky I'm pretty sure it is'nt epoxy based.

[NiceAft]

Stuedan,

Not being familiar with the waters you sail in, I might be asking a silly question, but do you sail in fresh water or salt water?

If in salt water, then anti fouling paint may be needed, someday. If you sail in fresh water, then a barrier coat is all that is needed. It does not appear to be now though. If you see bare spots, then take action.

I sail in fresh water, and had a barrier coat applied twelve years ago. It is still in good shape. The only reason I applied it was too avoid blistering. I didn't need to worry about any barnicle build up in fresh water, so a barrier coat worked quite well. When I used to slip Nice Aft, the only stuff on her bottom was long green vegetation. At the end of the season (we have them here), I just applied Slimy Grimy. What did not quickly come off, was easily removed with rubbing with a sponge.

Ray

[ricdanger]

Hi stuendan,
Im in melb too and just picked up my 26x. Where do you keep your boat mast up? Not a huge range of options on ppb.

[sailboatmike]

Hi stuendan,
Im in melb too and just picked up my 26x. Where do you keep your boat mast up? Not a huge range of options on ppb.

Good to see your first post Ric, welcome aboard the forum

We might have to arrange a Victorian Macgregor Championships to cater for the growing numbers here

Hope you got your boat sorted

[ricdanger]

Cheers Mike, boat is nicely sorted in the main, just a couple of cosmetics like galley, potty. Haha cant imagine trying to race it!

[sailboatmike]

Cheers Mike, boat is nicely sorted in the main, just a couple of cosmetics like galley, potty. Haha cant imagine trying to race it!

Sounds great, are you doing the BTYC cruise on the 18th of Feb, weather dependent we will be going, Wanton (Ed) rang me and asked to me tag along and help out with Westernport local info

Be awesome to have two Macs together

[stuendan]

Hi Ric,

My boat (Genisis) lives mast up at Paynesville usually Feb - Jun. There are a few of us Macs over there! It's at least affordable and a great cruising ground although the 4 hr drive is a b...... I never found anything around Melbourne including Westernport that will take a Mac. I had it in the water at Waringa Marina (Westernport) for Dec - Jan hence the bottom paint questions.

Cheers, Stuart

[sailboatmike]

Ask and one will get the info one needs, I was the Commodore of a Westernport Yacht Club so I know the ins and outs of who has space in their boatyards around the place

My Mac lives mast up around Westernport, we are going to move her from her current home. We are on the list at Hastings Yacht Club for hard stand room, hope it won be too long