Looking for suggestions on bottom paint, for the past two years i have been using Petit's Vivid and have not been happy with the results. I'd like a paint that doesn't require weekly bottom scrubbing since I live 2-1/2 hours fropm the boat and can't get there every week, and am too cheap to hire someone.

Where do you sail?

On Lake Michigan (fresh water) we use VC17. Works pretty well through the middle of the season, when a light scrubbing is needed.

I am pretty new to sailing, so check point the following recommendations:

(A) Every six years, apply an Epoxy based barrier coat such as Interlux 2000e.

(B) Depending on local conditions, replace the anti fouling paint which is applied over the barrier coat every 2-3 years. I recommend Baltoplate for salt or brackish waters.

I sail on the Chesapeake, and get a good bit of slime on the bottom over the course of a season.

David, doesn't Baltoplate require regular scrubing?

Baltoplate has no biocide in it and does require reqular scrubbing. The same series of paint for salt water with biocide is VC Offshore (Hard Vinyl based paint with Teflon). VC17 is for fresh water. Probably will work the same as Vivid for the beasties that grow underwater. Over the years due to environmental concerns, they've taken out all the good stuff that used to really stop marine growth.

This may be blasphemy for the J/30 crowd, but if you don't scrub the bottom much, and are concerned about marine buildup - I'd use an ablative paint. It's easy to clean and recoat each year.

[This message has been edited by Rhapsody #348 (edited 12-13-2007).]

Phil, yes, living in the South spoils us. If we're not swimming and scrubbing, we hire a diver to periodically scrub. In our neck of the woods, the side of the J/30 with the most sun get's the coat of slime. Regardless of the type of anti fouling paint, we would go over board for the serious races. I suspect we pay a diver to scrub about once every 6 weeks during the racing season.

I am also looking for a new answer to bottom paint. I have been using E-Paint which is a "green" paint in that it uses Zinc. It has worked well but does need at least one scrubbing during the season and always before a big race.

However the EPA has got their panties in a wad up here (Boston Area) and they are threating fines for anyone that is caught scrubbing their boat that has anti-fouling paint. So the divers have said forget it - not worth it. With a summer time high of 64-67 degrees I am not going in to do it (-:

All the boat yards have had to install filtration systems and catch basins for pressure washing boats when they are hauled. This is now our only option - haul and wash! Or find a paint that does not need cleaning.

Micron 66 was the highest rated by practical sailor but they no longer make it so where do I go?


David
#397

David - is this a local thing, or is there something on the books we all need to start worrying about? I know the yard in Fall River where Rhapsody is stored made everyone sign a "green harbors" paper that requires catching all sanding residue, etc. This is the first year they've done that. I'm wondering if this is MA state policy, or now something that applies everywhere.

Bill

Question right up my ally. Micron 66 is still made, follow link below you'll find it(and its in stock ready to ship out of Rhode Island). The advantage of the Micron 66 is that it will work even if your boat stays in one place for a long time. It sometimes will produce a smoother finish than a VC offshore and Baltoplate. This is because it acts like a bar of a soap continually releasing biocides. Now if you did the proper range of wet sanding on the VC you could get a faster bottom but you will be cleaning it every week by mid summer.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...erlux+Micron+66+Antifouling+Bottom+Paint

Thanks for the info. Can this be sprayed or is it just roller on and sand down the orange peel?

David
#397