antifouling on lower unit?

[capz]

Once my boat splashes, it rarely sits for more than a few days without running. When I pulled the boat last fall, I was surprised to find barnacle growth on the cavitation plate and lower unit. I'd like to try an anti-fouling paint this year, instead of just Phantom Black. I was either going to use Trilux or I found this clear paint to go over the Phantom Black. Any experiences with Aquagard in the link below?

http://www.aquagard-boatpaint.com/products.htm#ALUMI-KOAT_CLEAR_SPRAY

 

[gerryb]

Not sure where I read this but I had heard that the clear doesn't stay on very well. Also heard the water-based paints are not as good. I have used the spray-on antifoulant and the brush on trilux and can tell you the spray is a waste of money. The brush-on is superior in several ways not the least of which is adhesion. I have another post on the board which describes my general process for the outdrive prep and painting. If you go with the aquaguard, please post your results.

 

[capz]

I can't find any reviews on the clear outdrive paint, but it seems their bottom paint does not work well. So I think I'll go with Trilux brush-on unless someone who has used it chimes in. Gerry, I read your post. It looks like your process for prep and paint got good reviews. I'll go with it. Btw, my boat's name is "La Dolce Vita". It's originally out of East Meadow, NY.

 

[ditto]

pettit has a new pait "prop-koat" a clear paint for outboard, inflatables etc.. in the 08 west catalog.. due in stores later this month i have been told..

 

[capz]

I've heard Pettit is as good as it gets. It's kind of funny though this new clear Prop-Koat is being marketed for use on inflatables :huh: Then at the end they add "can also be used for underwater metals, outdrives, etc"
Who's going to pay $300/qt to make their inflatable go faster? :lol:

 

[tginz]

My $.02's. I've tried the Trilux brushable and spray over primer and had bad luck with both. I'm in saltwater on Long Island Sound. Within two weeks, I seemed to have growth and barnacles. Last year, I just pulled the boat every 10 days and did a thorough wash. In previous years, I would get in the water and wipe it off with a sponge or scotch brite pad being careful not to remove too much paint. At the end of the season, and with paint still left on the drive I still had barnacle city in and around the hub. This year I went back to factory paint and will continue to pull and wash it every 10 days.

With all the environmental concerns, the active agents in bottom paint have been tamed way down. And I believe made them grossly ineffective.

Sorry for the long winded answer, but Trilux did not work for me. I feel bad for those not on a trailer or lift and at the mercy of the boatyard lift. Many yards in our area will lift and wash the bottom monthly for a reasonable fee.

tginz

 

[boatrboy]

My $.02's. I've tried the Trilux brushable and spray over primer and had bad luck with both. I'm in saltwater on Long Island Sound. Within two weeks, I seemed to have growth and barnacles. Last year, I just pulled the boat every 10 days and did a thorough wash. In previous years, I would get in the water and wipe it off with a sponge or scotch brite pad being careful not to remove too much paint. At the end of the season, and with paint still left on the drive I still had barnacle city in and around the hub. This year I went back to factory paint and will continue to pull and wash it every 10 days.

With all the environmental concerns, the active agents in bottom paint have been tamed way down. And I believe made them grossly ineffective.

Sorry for the long winded answer, but Trilux did not work for me. I feel bad for those not on a trailer or lift and at the mercy of the boatyard lift. Many yards in our area will lift and wash the bottom monthly for a reasonable fee.
tginz

Interesting - since we are close - but for me in Bridgeport (LI sound) - I have had excellent results with the Trilux. I do use the petit primer for aluminum. I sand the drive every year basically to remove the previous years paint/primer, but don't really try to remove the original merc paint. I have rolled two coats of primer and spray 2-3 coats of Trilux on my Bravo 3 every year. I was in the water from end of May to the end of October last year. Around early August, I swam around and scraped a few barnacles off the skeg and cavitation plate, but not a lot. When I pulled the boat, everyone asked me to prep their drives for next year as there was basically no growth at all - not even slime. The inside of the props have a few barnacles but I usually use Chrome polish on them before launching and it keeps them clean for a while.

My dock neighbor use the clear stuff with out much success, and after seeing my boat during the haul out (he towed it for me), he was convinced to go back to the Trilux. For me - since it ain't broke.....

Mark