I know it is generaly understood that a boat kept in salt water should have it's bottom painted every 2 years. However, I have reciently been told that bottom painting is more for the diver that cleans the boat as it makes his job easier.
Since we have the bottom cleaned each month and there is not marine growth, I tend to believe that painting the bottom of your boat (if cleaned regularly) may be a waste of money.
Does anyone have an opinion? Paint or not and why?
Bob
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Bob, LaRainne and McKenzie Robeson
1985 Std Rig C-36, Hull #374
San Pedro, Cal
Sailing the So Cal Islands and coastal ports from San Pedro south to San Diego.
The only reason you use bottom paint is to stop growth but if you are inclined, and you can afford, to have it cleaned every month, then ther is absolutely no reason to use antifoul paint. However, unless you have a free cleaning service or you can slip the boat free of charge and do it yourself, over say 2 years I would imagine the cost of the antifoul would be much less than the cost of cleaning.
Peter Taylor Melbourne Australia. Altair #2227 2005 C36 Mk11
Bob,
You would be AMAZED at the amount of growth that would accumulate on an unpainted bottom in a month. If you have a diver clean your bottom on a weekly basis, then you might not need paint. IMHO.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Where we live in SW Florida, we have much higher water temperatures on average than much of the USA. Being of modest means, I stretch the anti-fouling paint for two full years. We use Trinidad SR (slime resistant) since it seems to work better than most around here.
I clean my own (boat) bottom and have found this:
1. The first year, I have no barnacle growth except where I scrape the paint off the bottom of the keel and rudder exploring in skinny water. The slime is minimal and comes off with a wipe of a gloved hand.
2. The second year, I get increasingly more barnacles in random places and the slime grows quicker and thicker.
3. Winters, when the water is about 66F, I need to clean once every 6-8 weeks.
4. Summers, with temps in our canal near 90F, every 3-4 weeks is not too often.
5. The 'viz' in summer is typically 6 inches, no kidding).
6. No one here skips using bottom paint unless they use a lift to keep the boat out of the water.
I have no idea if this helped you.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Here at San Pedro, Ca (Long Beach) where the boat is, the previous owner had the bottom painted every 2 years and had a dive service clean the bottom every month.
I was told (by the ship yard) that paining was for the diver, not the boat, knowing that if left unabated, YES the growth would damage the bottom but that is why you clean every month.
So should I continue this, paint every 2 years and clean every month?
If memory serves me, there use to be 2 kinds of bottom paint,
• One high in copper or something that kept the growth to a minimum
• The other a flaking paint that would release as stuff grew on it.
What kinds are available today, and what should be used for a Southern California boat?
I do not know if this makes any difference, but the bottom has had the epoxy barrier coat installed a few years back, so it is not a gel coat bottom.
Thanks again
Bob
Bob, LaRainne and McKenzie Robeson
1985 Std Rig C-36, Hull #374
San Pedro, Cal
Sailing the So Cal Islands and coastal ports from San Pedro south to San Diego.
Bob, asking this question here has provided you with answers about what each of us do with our boats where we are and have absolutely nothing to do with where your boat is located, and which is the ONLY thing you need to know. I don't have barnacles on my prop, but I'll bet a lot of guys in the Chesapeake do. I use paint XYZ and it's worked for me for 12 years, but Joe in Kokomo probably hates it and uses Paint ABC. We have our diver come once every three months, and we can take our boat, on its own bottom to fresh water.
You need to talk to the folks on your dock in your area in your water to find out what works for them. Try also to discuss it with local boatyards and find out what works for them, 'cuz they wouldn't be selling stuff for boat bottoms that didn't work for their customers. Then it should work for you. And as happy as I know you'll be with what you learn, my boat's bottom really couldn't care less because your choice simply doesn't affect my boat's bottom!:):):)
There are still two types of bottom paint, hard and ablative. Suggest you check out the West Marine catalog which explains it quite well, as well as any paint vendor's websites.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Bob:
I had my boat done a few weeks ago by the Marina Shipyard in Alamitos and they were efficient, price competitive and helpful. They are on the other end of Long beach so it it almost two hours of motoring to get there from Cabrillo. I had two coats overall and a third on the leading edges. For the cost is was worth having them do it for me especially because CA has lots of laws about what paint can and cannot be used. As they have a hydrolic lift you do not need to unstep the mast. I am very happy with their work.
PS look for the fireworks off Cabrillo Beach on the 4th. I hear they are really good!
John Meyer - Hilbre 2135
John Meyer
Hilbre
C36 MKll, Hull 2135
Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, CA