David - barrier coat and baltoplate are a good start to a plan to have a fast bottom. Add to that fairing the bottom and keel, and if possible templating the keel. Might as well go all out. Having a faster boat makes up for mistakes on the race course.
One note: my understanding is that Baltoplate and VC Offshore are nearly identical products (they may be identical now that Interlux owns both). I have VC Offshore on mine and it has been very fast. But you have to be diligent about cleaning the bottom (weekly) or it grows stuff pretty fast especially after a year or so.
