to bottom paint or not?

[russell@us.net]

hey gang, I have a boat I recently acquirred that use to live in a boatel. I now have her in a slip on the chesapeake bay (in saltwater). Her hull is in good shape and I plan to leave her in the water for the summer and dry dock her in the winter. I was told that if I routinely ( monthly) haul her out and wash and polish the bottom that bottom painting was not needed. Any body got an opinion?

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: to bottom paint or not?

If you haul every month, you can probably get away with it. I like to bottom paint my rig just to avoid the hassle of haul-outs so often, but depending on your marina and length of boat maybe it's not a big deal in your area.

 

[russell@us.net]

Re: to bottom paint or not?

thanks for the quick response. the boat is 21.5 ft sterndrive. It's not real difficult to haul out and wash down but when it's cold and wet-the task is like a trip to the dentist. I have been dilligent in my car for the boat, I will probably bottom paint in the spring when I bring her out of dry dock. Is there a brand of paint you recommend for multi season use. And is it more difficult to sand off ( another trip to the dentist) multi season paint than single season paint. And do you aluminum paint the stern drive as well?

 

[bertherr]

Re: to bottom paint or not?

I strongly recommend painting the bottom, outdrive, and depth finder sending unit for several reasons. I keep a small Checkmate in the Severn river in Crownsville. The first year I kept it in the water I had a lot of growth on the depth finder sending unit and the engine mounting unit (outboard). It took forever to scrape off all that stuff. There is special paint for bottoms, sending units, and outdrives. You also risk fiberglass blistering without the bottom paint. I've been there too. Bert.

 

[mtp]

Re: to bottom paint or not?

Please be sure you buy paint that is compatible with what you're putting it on. Dont put Copper based paint on aluminum (boats, motors or stern drives). Galvanic action will put lots of itty bitty holes....<br /><br />There are special paints for these (Aluminum) surfaces. If your hull is fiberglass- mask off the Aluminum parts and paint with Copper based. Then use special paint for Aluminum for the masked off areas. There are several good references - Petit puts one out, so do other manufacturers. W/ Copper based paint, the higher percent Copper the better they work, but you need to use a paint shaker to be sure the Copper is in suspension. <br /><br />You'll hate yourself come Feb or March if you don't use antifouling paint. Barnacles are amazingly prolific and grow FAST (and a bugger to scrape off). Good luck.

 

[fishthebay]

Re: to bottom paint or not?

RusselK I have first hand experience here.<br /><br />I live on the Chesapeake bay also. Virginia Beach to exact. I was fortunate enough to get a slip this past May and have no regrets.<br /><br />My boat DOESN'T have bottom paint. This is what I can tell you. During the hot months like June, July and August those barnicles will grow in about 2 1/2 weeks. This time of year around 1 month. These are the times you need to take your boat out of the water and head up to the local car wash with a pressure hose. Drop $10 bucks into the coin slot and your set. $10 bucks worth of pressure washing will get it all off.<br /><br />Also bring some goggles for when you squat down to spray underneath the boat. Those barnicles stink to high heaven and you may even get some barnicle juice in your eye - that why I recommend the goggles.<br /><br />The best thing you can do when you boat is stored in the water is to run it. This blows the thicker barnicles off and also is good for your engine, since you are not flushing when moorned.<br /><br />Also, they sell this stuff at West Marine called anti-fouling wax. When I finally got around to putting this stuff on mid summer - it really cut down the barnicle growth.<br /><br />Just so you know, these barnicles aren't real big, but they smell and even after you pressure wash, sometimes you need to knock a few off with a plastic putty knife.<br /><br />Its your call on to bottom paint or not, but if you start this process, you might as well continue it every year at an expense of about $300.00. Thats for the paint and to get it on racks at the boatyard. Its tough to do on a trailer because your not getting where the bunks are. Racks are best and can be moved to get a complete painting job.<br /><br />I am sticking with not painting mine and pulling it every 2-3 weeks in the summer and every month in the winter.<br /><br />BTW if you fish at all keep that boat in during Jan-Feb. Those big chesapeake bay stripped bay sure are fun to catch.

 

[hwkypuck]

Re: to bottom paint or not?

Use interlux ACT

 

[David Greer]

Re: to bottom paint or not?

I live in Norfolk and have just been through this drill with a new unpainted boat. There are lots of options and advice, but I went through the paint descriptions on West Marine to understand them, and found it very helpful. I chose Interlux CSC. 21' boat, prime and 2 coats (1 gallon) plus metal paint on tabs and motor bracket = $750. An already painted bottom would be about $400. It's driven by paint costs. However I got a quote from a high-end marine shop for $1,500 but figured it's paint, not setting needle valves.

Yamaha owners manual says don't use copper paint on the hull, either. Everyone does. maintain your zinc sacrifices and switch off your battery.

One issue to look at is whether the boat stays in the water full time or may be out for a couple of weeks at a time, b/c some paint loses its effect if it's allowed to dry. On one of my older boats, which sits in the river for the summer and fall, trailer in winter, but a lot of in and out, I get almost 3 years out of a Micron painting, so the cost when annuallized is not as bad (versus 3 years of $10 car washes per month?)
With what you pay to own a boat, price your time as well. Start to finish: go get your trailer, move boat from mooring, pull up the boat, drive to car wash, wash, back and launch, return trailer to storage and boat to mooring: 2 hours? Is that fun in August?
Paint it and enjoy it.