Trojan Boat Forum

Well as soon as spring gets here I'm going to pull my F32 and repaint the bottom.
What would you guys recommend for bottom paint.
I looking for somethihng that will last 3 years.

Bob

bob wilkins wrote:Well as soon as spring gets here I'm going to pull my F32 and repaint the bottom.
What would you guys recommend for bottom paint.
I looking for somethihng that will last 3 years.

Bob

Anti-fouling paint keeps marine organisms, taking the forms of shell (animal fouling from barnacles and zebra mussels), weed (plant growth) and slime (single-celled algae) from attaching themselves to your boat by releasing toxic Biocides at a controlled rate. Copper compounds (Cuprous oxide or Cuprous Thiocyanate) are most popular; and conventional thinking is that the higher the copper content, the more effective the anti-fouling paint.

Choosing an antifouling paint is regional, as boaters in the Great Lakes, Pacific Coast, Southeast, Gulf Coast and other regions tend to choose similarly to their neighbors in the local marina. Your choice also depends on how you use your boat and the type of paint you applied in the past (since there can be compatibility problems between some types and others). In general, softer paints can be applied over harder paints but not vice-versa. There are exceptions however, so it's always best to consult a compatibility chart. Interlux and Pettit each make a full line of excellent bottom paints, including five primary types of antifouling paints.

Thanks Rodman

I'm in Maryland north of Baltimore.
I don't know what the previous owner used.

Bob

bob wilkins wrote:Thanks Rodman

I'm in Maryland north of Baltimore.
I don't know what the previous owner used.

Bob

If you can get a chip of the old bottom paint, you can take it to local paint store they may be able to tell you.

Rodman

I just shot off an email to the previous owner.
I hope he will be able to tell me.

My Father uses Petit Trinidad. Expensive but worth it. Gets 2-3 years without significant fouling, and I should know, I have to dive and scrape his running gear twice a year. Oh and he keepps it in the water year round. I used it on mine and did not even get slime after 3 months straigh in the water. Probly over kill for me as mine is trailered most of the time.

Oh and you want to get the highest concentration of cuprous oxide , Petit has 60%

Different kinds of paint work different ways as well. Some 'hard paints' are full of stuff that 'tastes bad' to the critters that might decide to hitch a ride, so they let go. The paint is designed so that these chemicals leech out of the paint over time. The down side - once most of the stuff has leeched out, you are left with a coat of paint that does nothing to reduce fouling. Then you have to add another coat. Over a few years / reacoats, you end up with a bottom that is covered in really thick and rough bottom paint.
Some paints are designed to wash away over time (ablative paints), and also contain some biocides, but not to the same degree as the hard paints. These paints retard growth because of the biocides, and anything that does stick is likely not to be able to keep a grip as the paint slowly washes away. You also end up with a smoother bottom as the paint polishes off (like a bar of soap). With these paints, you put several coats on initially, then touch up spots that are wearing too thin as needed, but what is on the boat never gets too thick as it is always rinsing away. You only end up touching up the 'high wear' areas. What I use (Lake Ontario) is one of these - Interlux Micron CSC. I did my first coat in green, the next 3 in black. When I see green somewhere again, its time to add more black in those spots.
One other important note : compatibility. You can't just paint anything over top of anything, so it is important to try to find out whats on there now to understand what you can overcoat with, vs having to strip it or apply barrier coat before switching to something different.

I use ablative (sluffing) paint. Nothing fancy about it. Three coats every five years. Nothing grows on it. If the boat sits long enough to get slime I go for a little ride and it's gone.

You have to pull and paint about every two years in the northern Gulf.

wowzer52 wrote:I use ablative (sluffing) paint. Nothing fancy about it. Three coats every five years. Nothing grows on it. If the boat sits long enough to get slime I go for a little ride and it's gone.

same thing here

Bob, I also am in the Chesapeake across from you ( Magothy river). Best paint for this area I found is West Marine brand hard finish. If existing type is unknown Interlux A.C.T. is compatible with 95% of other brands. I presently use the A.C.T. on my 10 meter ( ablative with slime resistance ).
Also check out Interlux website or get a brochure from marine supply store for more info.

Thanks to all

The bottom was painted last with Micron CSC
I guess I will stay with the same.

Bob