Bottom Paint Choices - PPG, Interlux, Petit

[Seighlor]

[/QUOTE]We are heading South in the Spring again and will travel with our existing paint and ,once in Florida, switch to Petit Vivid which is a hybrid technology of ablative and hard finish which we have used with outstanding results on our [QUOTE]

With regard to Rognvald's thought on switching to Petit Vivid: I used Vivid for three seasons but switched about five years ago. Though professionally applied, I was having a lot of problems with the paint. Other than being rather poor as an antifoulant, the paint was would get soft in the area near the waterline. Prior to the final time I used it, I had a Petit rep inspect the paint. He worked with the yard foreman and the application was made in strict accordance with the rep's recommendations. In a matter of a month or so the paint was going bad and Petit did nothing to stand behind their product.

I am now a confirmed user of anything but Petit products.

[captnGD]

Why not Seahawk?
Boat Bottom Paint by Sea Hawk Paints - Premium Anti-Fouling & Ablative Marine Coatings
Incredible performance

[Ardbeg]

I have used Petit Vivid 1161 WHITE ablative paint on my boat since it was new 5 years ago. Just touch ups in the spring. I am in fresh water going next year to salt. Next spring I am doing a complete application of Vivid 1161 white 2 coats before I go in the ocean. Everybody looks at my boat and thinks I have no ablative on. No complaints.

[DDabs]

Where is the best place to buy paint? I found on some website I can get the PPG ABC3 for $150/gallon, which seems like the best price so far.

[bluetequila]

Is tin safe in the marine environment..?

[DDabs]

Originally Posted by bluetequila

Is tin safe in the marine environment..?

No, it's toxic...

[bluetequila]

About copper coat..?

[DDabs]

I don't think Coppercoat uses any tin...

Copper filled epoxy resin marine antifoul | Coppercoat » Coppercoat

[Three Sisters]

Originally Posted by DDabs

Where is the best place to buy paint? I found on some website I can get the PPG ABC3 for $150/gallon, which seems like the best price so far.

We used these guys COPPER SHIELD BOTTOM PAINT ABLATIVE COPOLYMER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY MULTI-SEASON PROTECTION

in a 56% copper with slime control and have five gallons leftover. The performance was very good. When that's gone, I'll look back on what you used and the results.

45% looks to be the current highest offering w/free booster quart, whatever the booster is I couldn't say.

[navysurfer]

Here in Sarasota Bay, if you leave your toe in the water for 45 minutes U have a barnacle on it. It's Horrible here, i think all the fertilizers from homes and golf courses etc, helper the barnies grow.

I have always liked the Petit Trinidad pro, hard bottom paint cause I hate to scrub the paint off with ablative.

I recently used the prop glop product and am surprised with the results, very good.

I think the growth here is some of the worst in the world, its that bad ,especially in the summer.

Good luck

[nomisfarms]

Have you looked into Copper Coat bottom paint, average life span is 10 to 15 years, good luck and fair winds.

[bluetequila]

What about copper colored paint

[navysurfer]

Here in Sarasota a 36 ft. sailboat moored next to me, used the copper bottom system, granted the barnacles fall off easy, but he stills scrubs on a monthly basis ,

He was surprised as he said he applied it correctly, it brutal here and doubt it will be as bad where ever your going.

[DDabs]

Originally Posted by bluetequila

What about copper colored paint

What exactly are you asking?

[billgewater]

My own observations.
As antifouling success depends on variables such as boat use, salinity, water temperature, turbidity, oxygen and local nutrient levels, then local advice may be best.
The worst failure of antifouling I have personally seen was at Hout Bay in South Africa. It seemed that stuff grew in front of your eyes. Crystal clear cold water! Nothing seemed to work.

Changing the environment can also help.

However, two issues not discussed in detail by correspondents:-

the use of copper epoxy antifouling ----positives and negatives?

the use of bags ----- if you use a mooring pen with minimal water flow around your boat, then an opening bag that is pulled up around your boat (possibly with a floating top edge). The bag is pulled up/and/or pumped out. Some fresh water is added to change the salinity with a handful of copper sulphate or something else of "interest".

Just don't start the engines! Or use the loo. (Hang on! This may be a good idea!)

This bag practice was used with success on some small boats in Berry Bay within Sydney Harbour during the late 60's where I sailed from as a callow youth. I have not seen it since.