Bottom Paint

V

Vashon

New member
Hey Gang,
I believe several of you in the puget sound may know the 19' C-dory named R'Matey that I purchased earlier this year. I live on Vashon and have enjoyed her crabbing and fishing already and I am looking to potentially move her into a slip in Quartermaster harbor for next summer. That said, I am looking for some input on bottom paint. She will likely be in the water 4 - 6 months a year then on a trailer at my house the rest of the time. It is a clean bottom so all options are open to me. Thoughts on the best way to go?
 
Don't think it makes any difference what kind of bottom paint you use, once you do ---> you will ALWAYS have to do.

Some bottom paint does not work well after it gets dried out, (as in boat pulled for a season) and then back in next. There are paints for trailer boats and paints for non-trailer (always in the water) boats. Pick carefully.

I don't really know where I am on it yet. For now the boat lives on a trailer most of the time. When it gets to have a month or more in the water at a time, I'll be looking at other options too.

Best wishes,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I just finished painting the bottom of my 25' Cruiser. I did the work myself under the supervision of Berkeley Marine Center. They like a product called Sharkskin. I keep my boat at the Berkeley Marina all the time. It has held up well for 3 days. It's a pretty dark blue.



Don
 
I'm no expert, but I did paint my boat's bottom a few months ago. I used an ablative paint from West Marine which I think is better for the situation of putting the boat on and off a trailer. It's a hassle to do it the way I did--jacking the boat up off the trailer a foot or so and sanding and painting while lying on your back on the ground, but it was the least expensive way for me to do it and it turned out pretty well. You also have to be very careful about bracing the boat so you are not at risk while working under it.
You will need to check to see what paints are environmentally acceptable in your area. Also, you need to be very careful about inhalation of the copper based paint. If you have never had bottom paint on the hull I think you need to "de wax" the part of the hull that you are going to paint.
Best to get a detailed consultation on the process, and best paint for your situation from the manufacture's representative by phone or email. Sometimes, if you go to the retail outlet, there is not be a sales person available who is well versed in the process.
If you get a good bid from a yard it would sure be easier than the way I did it......but more expensive. My job cost about $150 for paint and $40 for other supplies. Next time I'm going to just hire a yard to do it.

Good luck.

Steve
 
I am of the group who feel that it is important to put a coat of barrier epoxy on before the bottom paint. This way the resale value will be better, and there is far less chance of osmosis. There is less osmosis in the PNW--but it still can occur--than in warmer waters.

I have had very good luck with Vivid by Peitit in all waters we have used--with the boat 50% on the trailer our lift and 50% in the water over 3 years, and still not putting another coat on.

There are other well known paints. I would stick with one of the well known bottom paints which is proven in your area.
 
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