Best Bottom Paint

[johnrobinson]

I'm planning to haul-out and paint the bottom in a few weeks. I'm now located in the cool Pacific Northwest and have been using a good quality ablative paint which seems to work well . . . I'm in the second year of the last paint job. However, I'm planning to head south next spring and am wondering what is best for the relativly warmer waters of Mexico and the Carribean. The yard tells me that if I want to go to a hard finish instead of the soft ablative finish I need to sand down to the barrier coat and start again. Since the paint is realtivly thin now this would be a good time to do it. I know that opinions on bottom paint are like opinions on varnish, there are many, they are strongly held and highly varied. Any thoughts on hard versus soft and particular types of paint would be most welcome. Also are there restrictions to the use of ablative paint in other countries that may bear on my decision.

Regards, John Robinson, s/v Crossings (43T), Seattle

[sv_bruadair]

Hi John,

When we hauled out for our bottom job in February of 2004 we had asked around with the same question. Because we were planning on heading south we decided to ask cruisers that had been to the Caribbean what worked well for them.

We were surprised to hear so many good things about West Marine's Bottom Paint Pro (made by Petit). So we decided to give it a try. And glad we did. We put on three coats, four at the waterline.

It's been three and a half years and the bottom still looks good. In the first three years I never had to touch the bottom. In the past six months I have to go down and lightly scrub to remove the growth.

It's time for us to do another bottom job which we'll do in a couple months in Colombia. If I could buy the same paint down here I would not hesitate to use it again! Unfortunately that's not the case and we'll have to use something else.

I'm impressed on how the West Marine Bottom Paint Pro held up in the warm Caribbean waters. Two thumbs up from Bruadair


D & D
s/v Bruadair
www.bruadair.us
Bocas del Toro, Panama

[Bill]

Damon,

I believe we used Bottom Pro on our boat as well. Was yours an abalative or hard paint.

[sv_bruadair]

[warmrain]

[mike]

Here in the Uk we applied Coppercoat last year & have found it to be excellent, we do however get some slime which easily pressure washes off. Although quite expensive the system lasts for a minimum of 10 years.

Mike

[ccam]

If you have the funds, I highly recommend Speed Prop for prop, shaft and rudder. I had it applied in May and no attachments as of August.

clc

[boatpride]

If it's any help over the next few years the legislation will be changing regarding what additives are put in bottom paint. Sweden is leading the way ethically through government funded organizations. The Caribbean is much more relaxed about these changes.

I would get on the phone or mail some marinas in the area your traveling to shoot the breeze over what locals use. That way you'll get a better feel.

Best Wishes

Chris

http://www.boatpride.com/bottom-painting.html
________

[edelweiss]