Bottom Paint

[dapiper]

I'm sure there is a thread for this, but couldn't find it. I have a 27' Hunter and need some input on bottom paint. Hard or ablative? I live in a barnacle area in middle Florida and most of my sailing will be in that area. All my motor boats I've used ablative, with a 7 knot hull speed will I go fast enough for the ablative to work?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by dapiper

...with a 7 knot hull speed will I go fast enough for the ablative to work?

No. That doesn't mean an ablative won't provide decent anti fouling performance in your case, but it is unlikely to be self-polishing.

[gamayun]

Can you walk the docks and ask what others are using? Or maybe go to a few of the local chandleries and ask them what sailboat owners seem to prefer (though they might be biased about just those products that they are selling). I definitely wouldn't think that what is being used here on cold and dark San Francisco Bay would be appropriate for your warmer (big sigh!) water.

[sailorboy1]

The first thing to know is what is on the boat now.

[Sailor Doug]

Never have and never will use hard coats. I like some thing that will power wash off, no sanding or chipping. Sad to say my ablative paint barely makes our 6 month season.


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[dapiper]

Gamayun,
Only two other sailboats in the marina, they both use a hard finish bottom paint because that is what is used where they pull out. It isn't particularly effective. With all the new paints available, I felt I could maybe do better?

[dapiper]

No idea what's on it, but it's all going to come off.

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by dapiper

Gamayun,
Only two other sailboats in the marina, they both use a hard finish bottom paint because that is what is used where they pull out. It isn't particularly effective. With all the new paints available, I felt I could maybe do better?

Practical Sailor has done quite a bit of testing from a site in Sarasota. Not sure if you can read the article at the link below or if you need a subscription, but you could check PS to see what they recommend and maybe find out what testing they've done more recently. I think bottom paint manufacturers also change their formulations quite frequently, which really confounds past test information. So take it for what it's worth.

Favorite Bottom Paints by Region - Practical Sailor Print Edition Article

[dapiper]

that would have been the one, but you're correct about being a subscriber.