Bottom Paint Suggestion

[lulu]

What would you choose....

Ablative or Hard paint for a mixture of sailing on fresh and salt water - Gulf states area. Docked in Fresh Water...

I have Petitte Trinidad SR on my current sailboat and as a hard paint it performed very well is still looks great after 5 years but has to be washed once a year. I am considering a self polishing paint for my other sailboat thinking that hauling out would be less.

Comments ?

I have also recently heard some good stuff on seahawk paints - has anyone had any good success with this brand. I hear the Sea Hawk Biocop TF is similar to the Micron 66 put a little more cost effective

[jtaylo9576]

Hey,
I've been using SeaHawk Bicop TF on 43 ft Beneteau since 2010. Two gallons in 2010, 3 gallons in April 2011. Boat has been in water since then. Bottom looks great but we do use the boat quite a bit. Boat has been to New York City, Miami, Staniel Key, Exumas, Nassau, Freeport Bahamas and home since initial application. Paint has held up extremely well in all conditions. Had it hauled and cleaned last May in St Augustine Boatyard. Bottom looked great. Will be hauling boat in April 2013 and will apply 3 gallons Sea Hawk BioCop TF for another 2 year float. Had bottom cleaned once over this past summer but it was in good shape, mainly done to check zincs.
James

[Bash]

Originally Posted by lulu

I have Petitte Trinidad SR on my current sailboat and as a hard paint it performed very well is still looks great after 5 years but has to be washed once a year.

If the Trinidad looks go after 5 years, I'm surprised you'd consider anything else.