TotalBoat bottom paint

Anyone here have any experience with Jamestown Distributor's TotalBoat JD Select?

CaptRonn said:

Anyone here have any experience with Jamestown Distributor's TotalBoat JD Select?

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I used Jamestown’s Total Boat to paint the inside of an old whaler. Was very satisfied and even more satisfied with their customer service. Very helpful and informative.

No but thinking of taking a ride to their store this year and giving them a shot based on reviews.

I can't vouch for the product your asking about but there service is top notch.

This is the only bottom paint product I have used on our last three boats. The first time I used it was because I did not know what paint was on the boat prior to my purchase and the product description said it was compatible with all paints. Put on two good coats each time I apply and it has been awesome. Generally I get two seasons on the Great Lakes out of each application. Two years ago I had to do some recoat in back to back years but that was my fault from rushing the job the first year. If you apply per the instructions and two coats plus a third at the waterline you can't go wrong.

I've been using Total Boat Spartan (high copper ablative) for the last 4 years and have been very satisfied with it. That said, it seems that different products work well in different areas. I'm located in Rhode Island - salt water. The water temps here are a little cooler than in Houston.

I notice that the answers you are getting are from users that are in the nrotheast or on freshwater. You probaby need to walk the docks where you are located and ask recreational usere (not shrimpers!) what bottom paint they are using and why.

My experience in a similar climate as yours is that the price of the paint is a very small part of the total picture and cost.

The cost picture is the total of the haul out, blocking, days in the yard, labor to strip/sand the old surface, the labor to apply 2 boats of bottom paint below the water line and 3-4 coats from the waterline down to and around the chine. In the grand scheme of things, the cost of the paint is a fraction of the total cost if you do a bottom job right. I am getting 3-4 years out of a bottom job, but I haul out every winter to check the bottom and tough up anything that needs it and we generally sand and repaint the hardware about every other year.

The other consideration is that a Gulf Coast environment is a tougher place for paint to protect you against growth and slime. Slime (saltwater algae) will form in a few days and hard growth....i.e. barnacles, worms, sea potatos, etc begin to forn in 2-3 days. The paint you use needs to be formulated for those needs.

I use SeaHawk Biocop and have used CuKote with equal results. It is solvent based. I prefer it to water based paints because it dries a bit slower allowing the paint to flow out before it skins over. That gives a smoother finished sufrace whereas water based paints can cost you up to 2 kts depending upon your hull. (this is based on a 450DA in NW Florida salt water.

I appreciate the replies.

My boat is in a slip on Clear Lake which is freshwater if not just ever so lightly brackish (Clear Lake is fed by Clear Creek). We occasionally get out on Galveston Bay which is salt.

I've used other paints on my other boats ( Florida and Tennessee) but recently ran across the JD TotalBoat and haven't really found any bad reviews on it, so it peeked my interest. I do my own bottom jobs so I'm familiar with preparation before paint.

Thanks.

Capt Ronn

I’ve been doing research as well. Interlux ultra seems to be the preferred paint around here. Most folks are getting 3-4 years. Just as a reference point I think the going rate is 52 bucks a foot but I know you said you do yours yourself.

Btw I’m at blue dolphin where are you?

If you are still looking for suggestions for bottom paint try this: I was on the Jamestown Dist. website the other day and noticed that they have an interactive map on the site for bottom paint reviews. If you go to that map you can see other mariners in your area, what they are using, and their experience with that product. Very insightful and practical information.

https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/surveyMap.do?surveyId=101