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Christian Van H · 26-06-2010, 18:59

Hi all! Well, our epoxy bottom job is almost ready for paint. The plan is to use Pettit Trinidad in green as the base coats (2), followed by some type of Pettit ablative paint in black right before launch. Anyone have any experience with the new line of Pettit ablatives in Florida and/or the Caribbean? Does any marine product line change more than bottom paints?

Thanks, Chris

daddle · 26-06-2010, 19:05

I used Pettit Ultima for several years. Worked well in the marina, but way too soft for long distances at sea. Wore away on leading edges and along prop wash in a few months of time underway. Use Micron Extra now. Harder, smoother.

The base coat of Trinidad is not a bad idea. I'd use the lightest color available, or basic red, so it contrasts with the black ablative.

maxingout · 26-06-2010, 21:30

We started out with crystic copperclad applied to our hull in the factory when the boat was new. I was never impressed with its ability to prevent fouling on the bottom of our catamaran. We eventually went to an ablative paint after five years, and we felt it was more effective. I never noticed any difference from one ablative paint to the next. I have given up the search for the best paint. I just put on whatever is available and affordable wherever we are in the world.

Pete the Cat · 27-06-2010, 05:01

If you are going to tropical waters, I do not understand why you would go to an ablative. I used Trinidad SR during a couple years in Central America and free dove the bottom occasionally to clean it and it held up great to scrubbing. My paint and bottom looked much better after three years than any of the ablatives I used in the last few years here in Maine.

**GordMay** · 27-06-2010, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete the Cat

If you are going to tropical waters, I do not understand why you would go to an ablative. I used Trinidad SR ...

Indeed.

Christian Van H · 27-06-2010, 06:55

Straight Trinidad huh? I dont know why I originally decided on going ablative... I guess I thought it would be easier on maintenance. I also believed it would be better on slime, etc. I'll have to check to see what the maximum time the boat can sit before a recoat is needed before splashing, 'cause we will probably paint now and not launch 'til spring. Thanks guys!

**GordMay** · 27-06-2010, 07:09

Trinidad SR should be launched within 60 days after painting.

daddle · 27-06-2010, 07:52

Boat yards and bottom cleaners can't both be wrong: Hard bottom paints are better. That was all the evidence I needed, many years ago, to switch to modern ablatives. Better in the water, easier cleaning, often no cleaning, no heavy buildup, longer life, no prep to recoat. More expensive to apply as they should be sprayed, but the life is much longer and maintenance cheaper by far.

fstbttms · 27-06-2010, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddle

Boat yards and bottom cleaners can't both be wrong: Hard bottom paints are better. That was all the evidence I needed, many years ago, to switch to modern ablatives.

Your post makes no sense to me. The yards and hull cleaners recommended hard paints, so you switched to ablatives?

Christian Van H · 27-06-2010, 15:21

Yeah Daddle...I know you are trying to help, but you lost me there too...

FstBottoms...what do you think about straight Trinidad SR?

barnakiel · 27-06-2010, 16:33

Our experience with Petit was horrible (hard paint - waterline).

Blake (Hempel) was horrible (soft paint, tropics).

International was acceptable, as long as the boat was on the go. It was expensive.

b.

Christian Van H · 27-06-2010, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Our experience with Petit was horrible (hard paint - waterline).

OK, what's this supposed to mean?

Hard bottom paint and something wrong at the waterline? Jeez you guys!

daddle · 27-06-2010, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Van H

Yeah Daddle...I know you are trying to help, but you lost me there too...

FstBottoms...what do you think about straight Trinidad SR?

Sorry. I was being sarcastic. Yards prefer antifoul that don't last long and need more labor to maintain. Bottom cleaners prefer dirty bottoms that can be scrubbed. I assumed ablatives were seen as a threat to their income. Happy I switched.

Trinidad SR is an excellent hard antifoul for cruisers, in my opinion. But I think ablatives are better and cheaper in the long run. I used to have my Trinidad bottom scrubbed every two months (cold water) and it really needed it by then. I've never had to scrub the ablative. Sometimes a quick wipe with a cloth if the boat has been sitting in a dirty marina (both cold and tropical).

In the bigger scheme of cruising. It actually makes little difference. JUst my opinion.

bottleinamessage · 27-06-2010, 17:08

I've used nothing but Trinidad SR ever since I moved the boat to salt water. We've sailed from Maine to the Southern Bahamas for about 5 years now and last year I had it hauled and added one coat (after a light sanding). I'm very happy with that paint!