Bottom Paint No Longer Needed?

[PiRita]

Since we are putting our new 260EC into a slip for the rest of the summer, we naturally asked about bottom painting her.

Our service tech advised that the new Rinker gelcoat would likely not need it.

Sound right?

Jim
PiRita
2008 260EC

[zeusmt]

If it's in fresh water, then no, it's not needed.

[PiRita]

We're Lake Michigan boaters. So fresh water it is.

No bottom paint then.

Thanks for the quick response!

Jim
PiRita
2008 260EC

[John50]

you mean "two part epoxy barrier-coat (like Interluxx 2000E)".

John.

[John50]

I like to add;
                  if boat is moored for periods in excess of  (60)  days?.

                  John.

[02-310]

IMO boat paint would be needed if it is going to remain in the water for most of the season (fresh water or not).

[Single Malt]

IMO boat paint would be needed if it is going to remain in the water for most of the season (fresh water or not).

I was thinking the same thing.

[frodo13056]

Jim,
I keep my boat in Lake Michigan (Diversey Harbor - Chicago) and would recommend bottom paint if you are keeping the boat in the lake. Last season, my 270 didn't have bottom paint and even though I'd scrub the bottom down from time to time, the amount of algae buildup over the season was pretty amazing. Also, with gas in the Chicago harbors at $5.19 a gallon, you really don't want to have ANY additional drag on your hull due to growth build up.
The other option is to hire out a boat bottom cleaner - there are quite a few divers in the City that you can hire and they will scrub the hull once a month - usually around $50. Most know what they are doing and use specific scrub pads, etc. to avoid scratching the gel coat and to ensure a growth free hull. Good luck!

 Steve

[rdlegacy]

Jim:

I have not read anywhere, in any boating mag. any info that hull materials do not need bottom paint.  If that were true, then why do many of the larger cruisers come standard with bottom paint from the factory, i.e. SeaRays?  I would think Rinkers would be any different.

The water at NB (in the harbor) is not great water, it is river water and scummy!  There isn't much circulation through our area.  The scum growth is very quick, even after one week.

Just take a look at some of the boats at Oselkas that do not have bottom paint!

Bob

[zeusmt]

IMO boat paint would be needed if it is going to remain in the water for most of the season (fresh water or not).

I was thinking the same thing.

I thought so, too, but my uncle bought a boat new several years ago and never put bottom paint on it.  It's not a huge lake - maybe that has somethign to do with it?

And, I wish I could find a guy to clean the bottom of my boat - for $50 that would be well worth it!

[PiRita]

Thanks to all for additional input on this. Your interest and concern are genuinely appreciated.

So here's the plan.

No bottom paint this year, but active soft brush scrubbing when anchored in 5' of water, drive up.

End of season get her acid / pressure washed and see the results. If results are less than good, bottom paint her for next season.

Reasonable or reckless?

Jim
PiRita
2008 260EC

[frodo13056]

Jim,
There's nothing that says that you HAVE to bottom paint - the main reason to bottom paint is to keep growies off the bottom (and a good barrier coating will also prevent gel coat blistering).
Years ago, I kept a 22 ft. boat in a slip on a river near home. After about 5 weeks of it being in river water, I took the boat out one Sunday expecting to do some skiing, etc. After idling out of the harbor, the boat would not get on plane....with only 3 people on board and minimal extra weight. One of my buddies was an ex Navy guy and he told me how easily marine growth could stop a nuclear powered sub...... and that all I needed to do was to haul the boat and clean the bottom. Of course, I was convinced that something was wrong with the engine.... but I pulled the boat, cleaned the bottom and put it back in the water - and it ran perfectly. Moral of the story is that even a little bit of growth can adversely affect how your boat performs!
Last season I had my 270 in the harbor - as I mentioned, I cleaned it as often as I could but the last month or so of the season, especially in October, Lake Michigan was way too cold for bottom scrubbing. Once I got the boat back on the trailer, I did the acid wash / pressure wash and the hull looked brand new - the growies have no detrimental impact on the gel coat, just on performance and fuel usage. I had installed a Navman fuel computer on the boat and did see a .2 to .4 mile per gallon decrease (depending on speed) at the end of the season vs. the beginning of the season.
Just so you know, the 270 hull got much bigger when hand scrubbing    and I'm sure your 280 will be the same. I had to buy several types of brushes and scrub pads before I found a good combination that would actually remove the built up growies.
You may also want to consider adding a fuel flow monitoring device to your boat - on my 320, I installed the Lowrance EP-10 flow sensors so that I can monitor how much fuel I use. The EP-10 devices are easy to install and will hook up to your Lowrance GPS display quite easily and will show you MPG, GPH, Total Fuel used, etc. Lots of information from the Lowrance setup.
Good luck!
Steve

[PiRita]

Steve:

First, let me say, in a perfect financial world, we'd have bought a 320 as beautiful as yours. Congrats on a great boat.

Next, I was amazed by the stats you learned in running your 270. Those kind of numbers are impossible to ignore.

When we launch the PiRita today, I'm going to inquire about a haul out and bottom paint once the "stain level" is established on her hull. At $5 a gallon and .35 mpg drag, we'll have to consider yours and others real world experience.

Thanks!

Jim
PiRita
2008 260EC

[Spacelord]

I had no paint on my boat last season.  I scrubbed it a fair amount.. as we do a lot of anchoring in 3 foot of water.
It cleaned off quite well with the pressure washing the marina did at the haul out.
I painted with 2000e Barrier Coat and VC17 this spring.