Bottom Paint Needed For One Month @ Everrett Marina
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colbysmith
Active member
Any idea how cold the water is in the Inside Passage north of Ketchikan? :wink: Colby
hardee":16lquj25 said:...
Well, Maybe not. Hate to break the news to you folks from the other half of the country but last year, Seattle had over 100 days without rain. But, Toms idea is sort of what I did, Scrub when and where I could about once a week.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
I used to live in Renton. One year it rained for 100 days straight.
colbysmith
Active member
Yeah, like I said, swimming underneath the boat to clean it ain't happening! :shock: Colby
Marco Flamingo
Active member
I would try going without bottom paint. I have it now, but I wish that I didn't. I would really like to try one of the slippery paints. Unfortunately, I would need to remove the bottom paint first. Been there, done that on a sailboat hull. That type of project has now moved into the "pay to have it done" column.
Even traveling at hull speed will keep things from growing on your boat. It is mainly when you are stopped that gets you animal and plant hitchhikers. Of course, you will be stopped every evening, so there is no doubt that things will attach. Most of that will be at the waterline and just below. The shape of the dory hull makes the change from light to dark fairly sudden on most of the hull. My guess (completely unscientific and only based on experience) is that the vertical sides of the hull will get 4 times as much growth (including barnacles) as the underneath beyond the chine.
That is good in that the area is easily cleaned off with a push broom from on deck. The shape of the dory hull also makes it possible to wade knee deep with hip boots and scrub the underneath, but I probably wouldn't bother for 4-6 week trip, especially if up on plane once a day. The transom is also easy. Cleaning trim tabs could be a pain (yet another reason to avoid).
Dried slime is a pain to remove. Baby barnacles can leave a little white ring when gently scraped off with a plastic spackle spreader. I've had the tiny white rings dissolve and disappear during subsequent uses in both fresh and salt water (on an aluminum boat with no bottom paint). Dried slime will also die and slowly slough off over subsequent uses. I see minor gunk as merely a cosmetic issue, but it may depend on the captain's position on the laziness scale.
Waxing sounds interesting (except that I already have bottom paint). I heard that some of the "not really wax" type of car waxes (containing silicon) can cause issues. I've read that they can make auto body repair more difficult because touch-up paint might not adhere properly. I would do research to make sure that any release type coating on the hull wouldn't make applying bottom paint in the future (should you choose) more difficult.
Mark
Even traveling at hull speed will keep things from growing on your boat. It is mainly when you are stopped that gets you animal and plant hitchhikers. Of course, you will be stopped every evening, so there is no doubt that things will attach. Most of that will be at the waterline and just below. The shape of the dory hull makes the change from light to dark fairly sudden on most of the hull. My guess (completely unscientific and only based on experience) is that the vertical sides of the hull will get 4 times as much growth (including barnacles) as the underneath beyond the chine.
That is good in that the area is easily cleaned off with a push broom from on deck. The shape of the dory hull also makes it possible to wade knee deep with hip boots and scrub the underneath, but I probably wouldn't bother for 4-6 week trip, especially if up on plane once a day. The transom is also easy. Cleaning trim tabs could be a pain (yet another reason to avoid).
Dried slime is a pain to remove. Baby barnacles can leave a little white ring when gently scraped off with a plastic spackle spreader. I've had the tiny white rings dissolve and disappear during subsequent uses in both fresh and salt water (on an aluminum boat with no bottom paint). Dried slime will also die and slowly slough off over subsequent uses. I see minor gunk as merely a cosmetic issue, but it may depend on the captain's position on the laziness scale.
Waxing sounds interesting (except that I already have bottom paint). I heard that some of the "not really wax" type of car waxes (containing silicon) can cause issues. I've read that they can make auto body repair more difficult because touch-up paint might not adhere properly. I would do research to make sure that any release type coating on the hull wouldn't make applying bottom paint in the future (should you choose) more difficult.
Mark
Mark said:
Mark. On my 100 day outing, most of my cruising was at hull speed, with only a small portion up on plane (thinking I would be cleaning the bottom). I found that the growth, both green stuff and barnacles, was about equal, sides and bottom. My cruising was typically, for about 2-4 hours (average) per day, with anchoring for the remains of the 24 hours. The area was all north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Water temps were 40 - 45F, with some occasionally higher when back in the ends of some of the long inlets, (Mackinzie, Knight, etc).
I agree, that I don't want bottom paint, and will probably continue to avoid by planning shorter water times (less than one month at a time) and more aggressive bottom cleaning on longer trips.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Mark. On my 100 day outing, most of my cruising was at hull speed, with only a small portion up on plane (thinking I would be cleaning the bottom). I found that the growth, both green stuff and barnacles, was about equal, sides and bottom. My cruising was typically, for about 2-4 hours (average) per day, with anchoring for the remains of the 24 hours. The area was all north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Water temps were 40 - 45F, with some occasionally higher when back in the ends of some of the long inlets, (Mackinzie, Knight, etc).
I agree, that I don't want bottom paint, and will probably continue to avoid by planning shorter water times (less than one month at a time) and more aggressive bottom cleaning on longer trips.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
I've very curious why some of you are against using bottom paint? Some have alluded to leaving marks on the trailer runners, but what else other than expense? Just looks, or does it slow the boat down some?
Next week I will be bringing the new-to-me 22 Cruiser I purchased in Flagstaff AZ up to Eastsound WA, and my current plan is to keep it on a dock during the summer months, and on its trailer during the winter. Of course the 6 months in the water will make bottom paint a necessity. But what are the downsides of bottom paint?
Next week I will be bringing the new-to-me 22 Cruiser I purchased in Flagstaff AZ up to Eastsound WA, and my current plan is to keep it on a dock during the summer months, and on its trailer during the winter. Of course the 6 months in the water will make bottom paint a necessity. But what are the downsides of bottom paint?
C-Sharp":2t4u6op8 said:
The cost of applying and maintaining it. It needs to be reapplied every couple of years. Some bottom paints work well in one set of conditions but not in another (like if you move your boat from the PNW to So. FL.).
Some bottom paints don't like to be out of the water for long periods
Bottom paints containing copper are banned in some places.
If you are going to have your boat in the water for long periods then bottom paint is probably in order. However, the OP was going to do a one time thing (as I read it). For that, I would not think the cost and effort for bottom paint is worth it. The $2K (at least) you'd pay to get it painted will pay for a lot of diver time to clean the bottom.
If it were my boat, I wouldn't paint it.
FWIW,
I applied water-based Pettit Hydrocoat to New Moon myself in 2006, after getting very tired of major accumulations in 2-3-month Inside Passage trips. Noticeable slowing underway, and multi-day cleanup after each cruise.
New Moon spent ~ 9 months each year on its trailer, and ~ 3 months cruising, mostly at hull speed. Hydrocoat was still working pretty well several years later (maybe 6??), at which time I put additional coats on the sides, chines and transom. It was still working, although not quite as well, on our last cruise in 2015.
I applied water-based Pettit Hydrocoat to New Moon myself in 2006, after getting very tired of major accumulations in 2-3-month Inside Passage trips. Noticeable slowing underway, and multi-day cleanup after each cruise.
New Moon spent ~ 9 months each year on its trailer, and ~ 3 months cruising, mostly at hull speed. Hydrocoat was still working pretty well several years later (maybe 6??), at which time I put additional coats on the sides, chines and transom. It was still working, although not quite as well, on our last cruise in 2015.
colbysmith
Active member
Richard, how hard was it to put on and how did you lift your boat to keep it off the trailer while painting the hull? Also, once you put this on, do you have to reapply it from then on? While I am looking at cruising the inside passage for 2 to 4 months this summer, I don't see any future trips of this length on the water at one time, particularly salt water. So I'm somewhat concerned about future maintenance after having bottom paint. Thanks. Colby
Hi Colby,
Here's a post about it I made three years ago:
Ten years ago this spring, I decided to bottom paint my 8-year-old boat. After some research, I chose Pettit Hydrocoat. Power-washed and scrubbed thoroughly, used a solvent to make sure no wax remained, and applied a sandless primer (2 coats), then the Hydrocoat (2 coats, or 3 where the greatest wear was expected). Following directions as to timing between coats is critical. Took a few days of work, and a bunch of crawling around under the boat, but was not too tough. Water-based Hydrocoat sure was less nasty to work with than some other paints.
We've spent the summer on the water in SE Alaska every year since. The original Hydrocoat is still protecting most of the bottom. Essentially zero barnacles, year after year, except for the parts of the hull covered by the trailer bunks, which I could not paint. (wish I could say the same for the sterndrive)
2-3 years ago I put additional coats on the sides/chines and transom. I've been scrubbing these areas, where more light reaches the surface and promotes growth of the green stuff, maybe 3 times each summer, with a stiff brush on the end of a long boathook handle. When I haul out at the end of the summer, a thorough power-washing is all it takes to clean the hull well. Sterndrive is another matter, however @$%&!!!
Hydrocoat is great stuff!
I did the job using a 4" wide brush, mostly lying on my back under the boat in a full set of coveralls. Time consuming, but not tough. Took less than a gallon of Hydrocoat for my 26-footer.
For me the effort was worth it - saved me days of cleanup time each year. May not be for you if you're never doing any more salt water trips longer than a couple of weeks. If after this trip you don't really need bottom paint, you don't need to do anything with it - it will gradually wear away.
As far as painting where the trailer bunks meet the hull, I did not. New Moon's awful heavy to jack up above the trailer, so I decided not to risk it. Whatever barnacles did attach to those places got thoroughly squashed when I hauled the boat back out after each trip.
BTW, I plan to head north from Poulsbo about May 1 - may see you out there.
Here's a post about it I made three years ago:
Ten years ago this spring, I decided to bottom paint my 8-year-old boat. After some research, I chose Pettit Hydrocoat. Power-washed and scrubbed thoroughly, used a solvent to make sure no wax remained, and applied a sandless primer (2 coats), then the Hydrocoat (2 coats, or 3 where the greatest wear was expected). Following directions as to timing between coats is critical. Took a few days of work, and a bunch of crawling around under the boat, but was not too tough. Water-based Hydrocoat sure was less nasty to work with than some other paints.
We've spent the summer on the water in SE Alaska every year since. The original Hydrocoat is still protecting most of the bottom. Essentially zero barnacles, year after year, except for the parts of the hull covered by the trailer bunks, which I could not paint. (wish I could say the same for the sterndrive)
2-3 years ago I put additional coats on the sides/chines and transom. I've been scrubbing these areas, where more light reaches the surface and promotes growth of the green stuff, maybe 3 times each summer, with a stiff brush on the end of a long boathook handle. When I haul out at the end of the summer, a thorough power-washing is all it takes to clean the hull well. Sterndrive is another matter, however @$%&!!!
Hydrocoat is great stuff!
I did the job using a 4" wide brush, mostly lying on my back under the boat in a full set of coveralls. Time consuming, but not tough. Took less than a gallon of Hydrocoat for my 26-footer.
For me the effort was worth it - saved me days of cleanup time each year. May not be for you if you're never doing any more salt water trips longer than a couple of weeks. If after this trip you don't really need bottom paint, you don't need to do anything with it - it will gradually wear away.
As far as painting where the trailer bunks meet the hull, I did not. New Moon's awful heavy to jack up above the trailer, so I decided not to risk it. Whatever barnacles did attach to those places got thoroughly squashed when I hauled the boat back out after each trip.
BTW, I plan to head north from Poulsbo about May 1 - may see you out there.
colbysmith
Active member
I've got 4 bunks under my boat, so if I bottom paint, it'd probably make sense to get it off the trailer. What did you use for a primer? And how long is the boat out of service to wait for drying time? I suppose with 4 bunks, I could drop the middle two, do the paint job, then replace them, and drop the outer two to finish painting in that area. (I installed the two inner bunks some time ago to provide better support for my boat with all my longer trips.) Also, to get more room under the boat, I've got two sets of ramps (4 total) that would give me another foot of clearance.
If all goes well, I'll probably be launching the end of May at Prince Rupert. The couple I'm planning to travel with have to be in Petersburg the middle of July. I do have an AIS transmitter, so if you see Midnight Flyer, that'll be me. Colby
If all goes well, I'll probably be launching the end of May at Prince Rupert. The couple I'm planning to travel with have to be in Petersburg the middle of July. I do have an AIS transmitter, so if you see Midnight Flyer, that'll be me. Colby
Hi Colby,
I followed the mfr Pettit's recommendations exactly - which is what I'd suggest for any bottom paint. Don't remember the timing between coats, but it was pretty specific in their directions. Between the two coats of primer was something like two hours, or maybe four - you need to do it just as they instruct.
Careful cleaning, followed by the Interlux 202 wax solvent, then two coats of Pettit 6999 Sandless Primer - no need to sand or scuff.
EDIT: just looked at Pettit's web site, and it appears 6999 sandless primer is no longer available. Seems to have been replaced with 6998 skip-sand primer.
I followed the mfr Pettit's recommendations exactly - which is what I'd suggest for any bottom paint. Don't remember the timing between coats, but it was pretty specific in their directions. Between the two coats of primer was something like two hours, or maybe four - you need to do it just as they instruct.
Careful cleaning, followed by the Interlux 202 wax solvent, then two coats of Pettit 6999 Sandless Primer - no need to sand or scuff.
EDIT: just looked at Pettit's web site, and it appears 6999 sandless primer is no longer available. Seems to have been replaced with 6998 skip-sand primer.
colbysmith
Active member
Thanks Richard. I am starting to lean towards the Hydrocoat and doing it myself, but mind isn't made up 100% yet. Our weather is starting to warm up, but only 50's during the day, while still down to near, at or below freezing at night. Colby
I'm on my way back from working on Dream Catcher for a couple of weeks. It was well up in the 70's in Poulsbo three days in a row. I was feeling spoiled. Peanut (our Border Terrier) was not yet acclimated to that much warmth - had to stop a few times and lie in cool shaded grass when we were walking.
colbysmith
Active member
Would still like to hear from others regarding bottom paint. Specifically those that trailer their boats, and have had their boats on the water between 2-4 months. And if location is important, the Inside Passage area north of Prince Rupert. If I do it, the Hydrocoat seems like the best way to go, and I think I would do it myself. For those that do get Barnacles and growth, is in anywhere on the hull below the water line, or just along the sides below the water line? Colby