Tomcat paint

Hi: I have a 1997 TomCat. I put bottom paint on in 2002 when I decided to keep in the water full time. I researched paint at the time and liked the Interlux Micron Extra. I had it done at Kitsap Marine, and decided against a barrier coat with the Vinylester barrier already built into the boat. The bottom paint is ablative, but it was put on in 3 thick coats and lasted without any growth or weeds for five years. I have only touched up the sunny side since then, and have still had no growth on the bottom surfaces. I am very happy with that product and the great service I got at Kitsap Marine. Whenever I pull the boat for a trip to Sekiu or elsewhere, I check the paint and hull carefully. It all looks good. I expect to get it fully redone next Spring. TWO-DAWGS.
 
5 seasons with ablative paint?!?!?!?!? That is shocking and fantastic. Did you put something else on the Armstrong bracket? (i.e. To avoid dissimilar metal issue). I was told by Pettit that our cruising speeds (>15 mph) would make the Tomcat a bad candidate for ablative. Your experience sounds incredible.

Charlie - I too noticed what appeared to be a wrapped Tomcat in the latest BoatUS mag. Mine is on the mooring and still ready for action through Halloween. I wondered who it may belong to...
 
Hi: My 1997 TomCat does not have motor brackets, so I cannot help you there. But the Micron Extra has proven much more lasting than I expected. As I mentioned it was put on thick and has worn very well. It has an additive that prevents slime and plant growth as well as barnacles, etc. So I left it untouched until I noticed a little plant growth, which was two years ago. So in 2008, when it was on the trailer anyway I wet sanded enough to get a fresh paint surface and touched it up along the sunny side (based on my mooring postion) of the boat. It is now ready for a full hull redo, but it has been on since the Spring of 2003 (I bought the boat in 2002 and it wintered over without bottom paint as I now remember). I selected Micron Extra because the boat can be pulled and trailered without affecting the bottom paint. So other than putting another coat along the side, it has lasted 7 years - the bottom, for example, has had no touch up. We are moored at Kingston, WA, so this would certainly not be the same as Florida or other tropical waters. Also, we use the boat year-round and put on lots of hours, so the boat does not sit anywhere for long. That may also help keep the bottom free of growth. TWO-DAWGS
 
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