Bottom Paint

[gregmercer]

I'm about to purchase a Carolina Skiff DVL 198. I have a few questions for you guys...

First, anyone own one? What do you think about it?

Second, I need to bottom paint it because its going to be sitting in the water all summer long. What kind of bottom paint do you guys recommend? Its going to be sitting in the Mid-Atlantic salt water...

Is bottom painting this boat something I can do myself? What is the best way to do it? Do I have to flip it over? How do I know where the water line is? Any recommendations ?

Thanks!

 

[stevieray]

Re: Bottom Paint

Greg - what is the hull material? If its fiberglass, I can help you out on the paint (I keep mine in Middle River).

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bottom Paint

Greg, Normally we block up the hull on three blocks (one in each corner of the transom, and one under the bow keel) to paint the bottom. If the boat doesn't have bottom paint, you want to prime it. I would use Pettitt sandless primer, and follow the directions about topcoating with anti-foul paint. Use Ablative Anti-foul paint. Store brand is the same as the majors, and a bit cheaper. The water-based paint is low on copper, which is the biocide and important.

If the boat has botom paint in good shape, you should be able to overcoat it. If not in good shape, you need to remove the loose paint and sand, prime and repaint. When the painting is all done, put the boat on the trailer, and touch up the spots covered by the blocks.

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Bottom Paint

The hull is made out of Fiberglass..

Is there any good way of marking the waterline?

 

[stevieray]

Re: Bottom Paint

Greg - I use Interlux Micron CSC. It's an ablative type like Chris recommends. Works great in Chesapeake Bay water - I just had a real light green slime after a full season last year & it washed right off with a garden hose. You should get at least 2 seasons out of 2 thin coats.

As for the water line, the only way I know is to put it in & let it sit for a few days - you will know exactly where the water line is when you pull it back out. Measure & tape up about an inch above that line & prime & paint away.

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Bottom Paint

Thanks! So the ablative type is the kind that wears away after use.. right?

Is this what most people use these days?

Do I have to prime the hull on a brand new boat? Do I need to sand?

You guys are so helpful! Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bottom Paint

brand new boat, the only way to get the water line is to load, and fuel it. launch it. seeing the waters cold. reach over the side and mark it with a sharpie. get someone to counter your weight.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Bottom Paint

Greg, I suggest you find a local marine retailer or you can do research online. Every marine paint producer I can think of has complete instructions on their paint systems online. All of them are unique to the manufacturer. Interlux, Petitts, and Awlgrip to name a few. All of which are carried by Iboats incidentally. All three manufacturers have good resources online.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bottom Paint

Greg, On a brand new boat there may be some wax used to get the hull out of the mold. There are various products that claim to remove it. Although priming before bottom painting is not mandatory, I have seen too many boats with big chunks of missing bottom paint, for me to not recommend priming all bare fiberglass. Every place the bottom paint fell off, is a bit of mold release wax that was not removed.

Bottom line: You can sand the hull, or apply sandless primer, or just paint and take your chances.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Bottom Paint

Anyone know about bottom paint or whatever it takes to treat my outdrive..?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bottom Paint

John, There is special antifouling paint for aluminum (like your OD). Tri-Lux III is one of them. Follow the directions, which say to make sure the OD is well primed.