Bottom paint for Caribbean waters

[geekoman]

It is time for new bottom paint and as we are planning to stay in the Caribbean for the next couple of years, I'd like recommendations on the best anti-fouling to use in this region. 45 foot sailing catamaran.

Cost is not a huge issue, we are more concerned with effectiveness, robustness, and longevity. In that regard, include if you have one, a recommendation of a yard that has done a great bottom job for you. The effectiveness of some bottom paints, e.g. coppercoat, are very dependent on the quality of the application.

We will be in the Grenada/Trinidad area during the time we would like to have this done.

Thanks!

[robert sailor]

Best we have used was Petite Trinidad, 3 or more years with very little scrubbing.

[AiniA]

We used Micron 66 with only OK results and pretty much monthly scrubs.

[mikedefieslife]

Also looking for bottom paint here. It's very expensive compared to Europe (sometimes nearly double), and the choice is limited. Everywhere though seems to sell Micron 66 or better yet Micron 99.

Oddly, none of the publishers seem to do bottom paint tests in the Caribbean. They only do tests in the Med, UK, USA.

There is a Catamaran next to me that basically doesn't move. It is using Sea Hawk 44 (I don't know if is the TF version or naughty one), it is very clean, but the paint has worn away badly in areas.

Amercoat ABC3 is supposed to be great, but it's €230 a tub on Sint Maarten, and it's coverage is half of that of most other ablative paints. It also needs to be applied over epoxy whilst it's still soft.

[SV Bacchus]

We have the Sea Hawk hard ablative and had good results. It was applied in the States so can’t give a marina recommendation.

Results are greatly affected by the quality of the prep work.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by doublewide

We have liked SeaHawk Islands 44 "hard ablative." We get very little marine growth, and it lasts a couple of years.

It's also illegal to sell or use in most of the world and its biocide is one of the worst poisons ever introduced into the marine environment.

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

It's also illegal to sell or use in most of the world and its biocide is one of the worst poisons ever introduced into the marine environment.

I knew you'd pop up once Sea Hawk was mentioned

Sea Hawk actually sells a paint called Islands 44 TF. This one is tin free. So when someone says they have Islands 44, you don't know what they've got unless they add 'plus' or 'TF' to the end of the sentence.

One poster even says it was applied in the states. That would suggest that it is the TF version.

https://www.seahawkpaints.com/product/islands-44-tf/

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

I knew you'd pop up once Sea Hawk was mentioned

Sea Hawk actually sells a paint called Islands 44 TF. This one is tin free. So when someone says they have Islands 44, you don't know what they've got unless they add 'plus' or 'TF' to the end of the sentence.

The poster indicated it was the Islands 44 "hard ablative." I think it's safe to assume he was talking about Islands 44 Plus HARDER product.

[lazydove]

seahawk 44 plus works best - but is harmful to the environment. available and recommended on most island . TF works but is not as effective

[geekoman]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

It's also illegal to sell or use in most of the world and its biocide is one of the worst poisons ever introduced into the marine environment.

I thought it was legal to use for commercial, military and large yachts.

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by geekoman

I thought it was legal to use for commercial, military and large yachts.

I don't think large ships or military use tin. Supposedly the modern pesticides have surpassed it now anyway. Thought now that I say that, i can't find the article anymore.

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by geekoman

It is time for new bottom paint and as we are planning to stay in the Caribbean for the next couple of years, I'd like recommendations on the best anti-fouling to use in this region. 45 foot sailing catamaran.

Cost is not a huge issue, we are more concerned with effectiveness, robustness, and longevity. In that regard, include if you have one, a recommendation of a yard that has done a great bottom job for you. The effectiveness of some bottom paints, e.g. coppercoat, are very dependent on the quality of the application.

We will be in the Grenada/Trinidad area during the time we would like to have this done.

Thanks!

Check out that clear bottom paint that Delos used. They sprayed it on themselves in Grenada (can't remember which yard) it's called Sea Tech or something and is so slick that it cleans itself if you're moving at 8 knots or faster - seems like a no brainer for a catamaran. It's a non ablative which is supposed to last for years and is non polluting.

[Ken Z]

Very good results from people using pettit trinadad, heard some good results with seahawk brand.

[michaeld]

I/We live in south Florida. The water is 72F in the winter and 80+ F in the Summer. We use Petit Trinidad SR on our mono. We still have to bottom clean regularly to keep the barnacles away.

[KadeyKrogen38]

I recommend Petit Trinidad SR The SR stands for slime resistance. In Houston, in the water year round, I get 3-4 years before having to repaint.