Time for a bottom job already?

[monte]

Thanks fstb. Maybe I'll change to trinidad then. Our current paint isn't handling the Caribbean critters well at all.

[sv lark]

Thanks all. We're in Ft. Pierce, Florida, just returned from the Keys. Sounds like the key for me is to scrub every month which I will make point to do from here out.

Coppercoat sounds pretty good. I guess with one for and one against anecdotal evidence is inconclusive.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by sv lark

Coppercoat sounds pretty good. I guess with one for and one against anecdotal evidence is inconclusive.

If you (or anyone) is leaning towards a copper-loaded epoxy like Coppercoat, I would encourage you to do extensive research on its performance in your intended cruising grounds. There are certainly many anecdotal reports of this product performing well, but I believe that the great majority of these come from boaters who use Coppercoat in regions of low fouling, where it may very well do a good job. In areas where fouling is a legitimate issue requiring frequent in-water hull cleaning, even of high-copper anti fouling products, maybe not so much. As I have said many times here and on other forums, I find it to be a poor performer in California.

[Roy M]

I agree with fstbttms regarding Coppercote. Here's some pics of a friend's boat after several months. The growth was secure. To be fair, the hull had not been cleaned in that time.

[Roy M]

fstbttms, how do you rate Trinidad Pro for a multihull?

[Cheechako]

You need to clean your bottom often. Even if the paint is brand new. Barnacles will grow on it and die later. Sometimes they are 3/8" big before they die.
New Trindad didn't do that well in the Caribe for me. But in all fairness we sat in harbor for 2-5 weeks often and only cleaned when ready to leave. Nothings perfect except manual cleaning.
The only paint I ever had that actually stopped growth from occurring (not just killed it after it developed) was Dutch Jotun Submarine paint.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Roy M

fstbttms, how do you rate Trinidad Pro for a multihull?

It doesn't matter what type of boat you use it on, Trinidad is the best hard anti fouling paint available, IMHO. Spray it on if you want a really smooth finish.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by monte

Thanks fstb. Maybe I'll change to trinidad then. Our current paint isn't handling the Caribbean critters well at all.

Note that the ablatives on this chart fall under "heavy sand and apply". I would heavily lean towards removal. Especially if you currently have a very soft ablative such as Micron. I would not recommend applying Trinidad over anything but another hard paint. No ablatives.

[Roy M]

Thank you! It can't be clearer than that. I love CF.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

It doesn't matter what type of boat you use it on, Trinidad is the best hard anti fouling paint available, IMHO. Spray it on if you want a really smooth finish.

It burnishes nice too.


Trini Pro is exactly the same thing as SR, relabeled and sold to yards only. It is much cheaper than SR. Top shelf.

[sv lark]

Thanks so much everyone. I'd never anticipated such a thorough treatment.