To bottom paint or not in freshwater?

[Captain Jeff]

Hi, I have been thinking about this for some time but figured I would let the experts weigh in...
I have a 99 Angler 18' Center Console. It is docked in a lake in New England for 4-5 months out of the year. I occasionally trailer it to saltwater.

The issue is that the hull gets stained a dirty brown each season. I can clean it with the acid based hull cleaner gels but it is back breaking work crawling under the trailer. I also get heavy algae growth on the stern as it is in full sun. Is it worth bottom painting? Any other ideas? Thanks!

 

[Aviator04]

I just bottom painted my 2003 boat, but that’s because I will be slipping it in saltwater for part of the season. Unless your hull is developing blisters or other damage, I personally wouldn’t paint it. The Initial barrier coat/bottom paint job is a big expense. And generally, it requires repainting every 2 years or so which equals more maintenance. I would just keep cleaning at the end of the season or even invest in a boat lift if your permitted to use one where you keep it. If not, they do make hull cleaners that do remove that stuff relatively effortlessly.

 

[AShipShow]

I'm not an expert, but if it were my boat, I would at least do an epoxy barrier coat just to add to the water resistance of the hull below the waterline. This will probably help with the staining too since gelcoat stains very easily and this would seal the gelcoat. Not sure if theres any benefit to an antifouling paint in fresh water... I guess it would help with the algae

 

[harringtondav]

Same as above. Bottom paint prevents fouling, but requires periodic repainting. An urban legend, or truth (I have no experience) is bottom paint robs top end performance. If barnacle and other large fouling isn't a problem for you, and if you don't care about any performance impact, paint your boat. Then forget it. The paint will hide the staining. Periodic power washing cleans off the crud build up.

 

[chevymaher]

For me the easiest thing is. A floor mop and just clean it every time you use it. I use boat wash. It is a nasty deal tho. But i grew up with muscle cars to me it is a sin if it isnt shining like new money when I put it away.

 

[alldodge]

Leaving the boat in the water without barrier coat and bottom paint will blister. May take years, and may take only one, all depends on how well the gell coat was applied by the manufacture

I would suggest get a boat lift, but otherwise, barrier coat (2 coats) and bottom paint (2 to 3 coats) like Interlux Mircon CSC. The CSC is ablative so it milks away as time goes on.

Do check you lake area if there is any issues with certain types of ablative paints. Some don't allow paints with copper, and others may have other issues. Always good to check

Had mine painted for years and the 10K pound boat got to be a real pain for me to paint. I bought a lift and had the bottom stripped and epoxy painted (3 coats) in white. Now it stays looking good.