Boat Bottom Paint

[markbellino]

Hello All.

I've just bought a brand new Rinker 260 EC.

Want to paint the bottom before I put her in the water.

Looking for a good paint that will keep the algae off, and seal the bottom to prevent water blisters as the boat will be in the water for 6 months straight (Lake Ontario).

What is a good product to use that will last three or more years?

I've been recommended VC-17 but then I was told this is more for Sail Boats and will need to be recoated once a year, which is way too much work.

Thanks!

[Lifes Good]

There are a lot of good options.  What ever you one you pick be sure to paint first with a barrier paint. That will keep the water from penitrating the gel coat over a long period of time.  It also helps the antifouling paint stay on longer. PS most glass boats today don't blister. 

Be sure to run a 1" tape gap between the hull and drives too!  Also be sure who ever does the taping does a proffessional job with the lines.  I have seen some bad painting lines over the years and wonder who in the hell painted that boat.

LG

[pepmyster]

I use the vc-17.  VERY good. Great bottom paint..no alge growth at all. In spring, redo,VERY EASY. Love it,love it,love it. Just my opinion

[markbellino]

Hey pepmyster.

I was recommended VC-17 by someone and then advised against it from someone else.
The latter was because apparently the VC-17 is not really applicable to power boats and used
more for sailing boats. I was told the VC-17 would need a complete recoat every year.

Now, I'm not against using VC-17 - but what's involved every spring? Does the VC-17 flake off or just wear off?

The alternatives I guess will also need maintenance every three years or so, but apparently this is a much bigger job??? I heard you need to completely resand everything off before recoating.

If I go for VC-17, what barrier coat did you use and how many coats of this and VC-17 on the first application.

Sorry for all the questions, but this would be really helpful!  Thanks! 

[pepmyster]

The vc-17 came directly from the dealer. The recoat in the spring is so easy, the admiral did it ( her first time) in 45 minutes. Stayed great all summer. When we took it out in the fall, washed beautifully. I`m telling you, it is a great product, we took the original color. Goes on like a copper then goes darker in time , I have no understanding why someone would not want you to put it on your boat, go on the web site to read more about it.

[markbellino]

Thanks. Do you brush it on or roll it on?

I wasn't originally thinking of having to do it myself, but if it's easy enough I probably would.

Mark

[markbellino]

I spoke with Interlux and they said VC-17 could be used but will likely need to be repainted once a season.

They recommended micron CSC.  They said it is almost as easy as VC-17 to maintain. Just needs a light sand, wipe and touch up of worn areas. But what's nice is there's no need to paint the entire hull again. The VC-17 needs an entire new coat everytime you maintain.

For the barrier coat they recommended Interprotect 2000E. But what got me is that they said 4 coats are needed to completely seal the hull!!!!!  The finished thickness would be between 8 and 10 mm!!

That seems excessive, but they said there's no guarantee of a complete barrier if you don't put 4 coats on!

[alswagg]

We use Petit Hydocoat exclusivly.  Smooth coat, no need to repaint in the spring, ie multi seasonal.  Can be painted and launched months later if desired.  We spray a minimum of 3 coats for first application.  Repaints every 3 years.  This is standard paint for Sea ray boats.   Good luck  Al

[pepmyster]

Well well well. I love it and that's that!

[Capt Ron]

Here's one for you. You are boating on Lake Ontario which is a fresh water lake...Why put anti-fouling on your boat at all...? I boat in Georgian Bay and I don't have any anti-fouling on my boat at all. I used a bottom wax on my boat that repels mussels and algae. When the boat comes out, pressure spraying it takes off about 80 % of the algae. I then use a non-acid cleaner and the hull looks brand new again. No blistering and etc.

In order to properly install bottom paint you must remove the gelcoat, and then paint the bottom with a base coat of epoxy paint. Only then can you apply bottom paint. The reason why you must remove the gelcoat is to remove the release agent used in the manufacturing process. Failure to remove the gelcoat will mean you will be painting your bottom every year and that's a mess I would rather stay away from. Boating in salt water usually means you must use bottom paint, so the expense is necessary. In a fresh water lake is an option.

[markbellino]

Thanks Capt Ron.

I hear Georgian Bay is a lot cleaner than Lake O.  I had A LOT of algae under my boat this past fall.  It grows like ... weeds!

My main problem is time ... don't have much, so I end up paying someone to clean it off. If I under coat then I can avoid that cost, as the marina pressure washes at the end of the season when they haul out my boat. Then there's the need to wax every season. More time. Yes, call me lazy ... but really, I'm looking for ways to cut down on time needed to maintain the boat.

The dealer is going to sandblast the gel coat to ensure the release agent is off. 4 coats of barrier paint and then 2 coats of anti fouling.  I think that is basically what you are saying, right?

[Capt Ron]

Hey Mark...understood... I guess I just like to caress my boat...guilty as charged..

Your dealer is applying the bottom paint properly... The last boat I had done was a 26 ft Chaparral 260. They charged me $3500 to have it completed. It lasted for three seasons before touch-up was required.

[pepmyster]

Direct from the site




VC 17m is VC's world famous innovation in the field of drag reduction antifouling. The original antifouling with "non-stick" technology. Metallic copper powder is added to VC 17m's thin fluoro microadditive film to create a hard, super-smooth antifouling coating. Its fluoro microadditive based film shrugs off marine growth, and the exceptional surface smoothness means boat speeds can actually increase by as much as 10%


I don't know who told anyone it is was only for sail boats.......

[Spacelord]

my 270 came with an unpainted bottom.  VC-17 is THE BOMB.
I did the Interprotect Epoxy at least 5 layers worth.
Then VC-17.
I do a full paint every 2 seasons.  I skipped doing the waterline last season.. no problems.

It is the best paint.. I had ablative paint on my last boat and it was a PITA to paint every couple years.
I can do my entire 270 recoat with 1 qt of VC-17.
It takes almost as long for me to tape the water line and get my stuff ready as it does to paint.. its that easy to put on.

[pepmyster]

There, The proof is in the pudding!