Whats the Current Hotness in Bottom Paint?

[Jcolman]

I haven't painted the bottom of a boat since 1978. Back then I simply scrapped off the growth and painted on new bottom paint. I'm wanting to get back into sailing again and would like to know what the state of the art is in bottom prep.

Thanks!

[SailFastTri]

The "state of the art" is paints that are more environmentally friendly. Unfortunately that also results in less effective paints.

If you're not going up rivers into fresh or brackish water the most effective salt water paint by far is Micron 66. Zero slime or hard growth. It has two drawbacks: 1) extremely soft, it comes off if you just rub it with a dock or anchor line, and 2) if you bring it in fresh water it is rendered ineffective (permanently, according to an Interlux tech support guy I spoke with on the phone).

There are many effective paints, but they all have pros and cons. Your best bet is to read what's been posted before in various forums and read the Practical Sailor tests. Then go talk with people in marinas (or call a local bottom cleaning service) in the areas you plan to sail. The marina operators who haul boats or divers who clean bottoms for a living know what works and what doesn't in the local area.

I think the PS tests will give you a good overview of what's available but they are seriously flawed, and should not be viewed as a reliable depiction of real world performance in your local area.

[SV THIRD DAY]

I would recommend you take a look at Copper Coat.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

...he most effective salt water paint by far is Micron 66. Zero slime or hard growth.

While Micron 66 is an excellent product, the above statement simply isn't true.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

I would recommend you take a look at Copper Coat.

Yes, by all means do.

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

While Micron 66 is an excellent product, the above statement simply isn't true.

I'd bet money that boat's owner had at one time brought it into fresh or brackish water.

[fstbttms]

Well, you'd lose that bet. For one thing, these are pix of three different boats. The simple fact is, no anti fouling paint legal for use in California eliminates all fouling, Micron 66 included. Any paint's efficacy is going to be dependent in large part upon the fouling conditions where it is being used. In regions of moderate-to-high fouling, like the SF Bay Area, Micron 66 is going to get dirty and it is going to need to he cleaned. For instance- the first pic I posted is a Beneteau First 10r with a 3-month old Micron 66 bottom.

[LBW399]

I found a copper coat applier where I live who supplied a quote and at a pretty good price--helps that my boat is under 30 feet-- but I find it hard to correlate in my brain that you REALLY can get away with not having to antifoul again for the 7-15 years that I have read about. It sounds too good to be true, and I wonder why all non-racing sailors don't copper coat their underbodies?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Kiwi399

I wonder why all non-racing sailors don't copper coat their underbodies?

Because the stuff does not have good anti fouling properties.

[LBW399]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Because the stuff does not have good anti fouling properties.

So the seven plus year claims of not having to anti-foul are a fraud?

[fstbttms]

No, I'm sure it does what it does for as long as they claim. It just doesn't do what it does very well.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Kiwi399

So the seven plus year claims of not having to anti-foul are a fraud?

No, if you're willing to scrub your hull every couple of weeks, coppercoat will keep it clean for years.

[LBW399]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

No, if you're willing to scrub your hull every couple of weeks, coppercoat will keep it clean for years.

Ok, well I found a thread from 2008 with opinions as contrasting as you'd expect to get on a sailing forum.
Seems to be a lot to do with how it is applied, and what waters you are in.
fstbttms was particularly vociferous in his disdain for copper coated anti-foul in that old thread, so there is probably not much more for you guys to add since I found the old thread.
Cheers.

[fstbttms]

Lets be specific about we're talking about:

Copper-loaded epoxy is what products like CopperCoat and Copperpoxy are classified as.

Modified epoxy anti fouling paint is what more traditional hard paints like Pettit Trinidad and Interlux Ultra are classified as.

[Target9000]

fstbttms,

You must see more boat hulls than most of us, and under the waterline. In your experience, what bottom paint does the best job?