Econea Based Bottom Paint Test

[Cheechako]

Evidently this one was water based and quite superior to solvent based paints.. pic here showing front half of boat with the Econea and back with the other... Latitude 38 - 'Lectronic Latitude

[sailorboy1]

Seems to have worked. But was a waste of a test since that paint doesn't sound like it is going to be available since they didn't bother to register it.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

Seems to have worked. But was a waste of a test since that paint doesn't sound like it is going to be available since they didn't bother to register it.

I agree...What's the point. I remember all the hoopla about the test. What a let down. Something tells me there is more to the story.

[bobconnie]

Sounds like somebody hired a Cajun from down the Bayou to mix there paint LOL works like it to !! Bob and Connie

[WillJacocks]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

Sounds like somebody hired a Cajun from down the Bayou to mix there paint LOL works like it to !! Bob and Connie

Hey, I resemble that remark! LOL!

[S/V Antares]

We put Pacifica Plus on Antares in August. So far so good. I put some on my Dink as well. It holds to hypolon inccredibly well. I did not know if it was OK to use on a RIB but what the heck.

[Cheechako]

"ooops, did anyone tell Guido to register that new stuff he mixed up for the test...?"

If it worked I imagine someone will do it and register it....

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

"ooops, did anyone tell Guido to register that new stuff he mixed up for the test...?"

If it worked I imagine someone will do it and register it....

The fact that California has backed away from a ban on copper-based anti fouling paints means there is no market for this stuff. That is why they didn't bother to register the product with the DPR, IMHO.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

The fact that California has backed away from a ban on copper-based anti fouling paints means there is no market for this stuff. That is why they didn't bother to register the product with the DPR, IMHO.

But it worked better than the copper based paint, so maybe there IS a market!

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

But it worked better than the copper based paint, so maybe there IS a market!

I'm not sure that's the case. The author (who has a real hard-on for Econea, equaled only by her lack of any real knowledge of anti fouling paints in general) only identifies the water-based Econea product, by saying "It's the one on the right." Presumably the bow section? And we don't know for sure which of the other two tests strips is the solvent-based Econea paint and which is the traditional copper paint. It looks to me like the middle section is cleanest.

I have read all of LaDonna's pieces on this test, and am not convinced she can accurately report on any of it.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

I'm not sure that's the case. . .

There must be a market as Pettit Paints is selling it as Ultima Eco which is a solvent base paint. And Interlux and Sea Hawk are also making "Econea/Tralopyril" bottom paints If the "big" bottom paint outfits are making and marketing it, it stands to reason there is a market. Also West Marine seems to be marketing Pettit Ultima Eco.

Here is a tech sheet from Pettit: http://www.pettitpaint.com/fileshare...ds/1110808.pdf
and:
http://www.pettitpaint.com/fileshare...ins/Econea.pdf

I wonder if anybody has or knows some folks who have used the Pettit Ultima Eco?

[Steve Pope]

anybody with an aluminium hulled boat would be interested in Econea, commercial guys as well as cruisers!

[Cheechako]

I see the Navy spends 1 billion a year on bottom paint. (an aircraft carrier takes 6000 tons of paint!) They are funding development of bottom preservative to last 10 + years. One version is a patterned bottom coat that resembles sharkskin. Evidently critters dont stick to it.... Maybe someday we'll be saying "remember back when you had to haul your boat and grind that yucky dust off every year?"

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I see the Navy spends 1 billion a year on bottom paint. (an aircraft carrier takes 6000 tons of paint!) They are funding development of bottom preservative to last 10 + years. One version is a patterned bottom coat that resembles sharkskin. Evidently critters dont stick to it.... Maybe someday we'll be saying "remember back when you had to haul your boat and grind that yucky dust off every year?"

Critters do stick to sharks, but the ramoras keep them clean... most of the marine animals that move slow enough to grow barnacles, do. And most of them have some type of symbiosis with another animal to keep them clean.

Maybe they should start training ramoras?

[David M]

MSDS sheet...
http://www.seahawkpaints.com/Librari...tion.sflb.ashx

Data Sheet...
http://www.seahawkpaints.com/Librari...data.sflb.ashx

Three coats of paint recommended...yikes!