Best Anti-fouling Paint to Avoid a Dirty Bottom

[Tippy Canoe]

While I know that bottom painting is a spring time activity in the northeast it is very much on my mind as my boat has suffered greatly from having a dirty bottom.

My boat is an '05 Amberjack with a 6.2L Horizon, Bravo III. This is my first season with the boat and in the beginning of the season I was thrilled with it's very efficient and economical performance. As the season went on I noticed a steady decrease in performance with a dramatic increase in fuel consumption. I used the boat about 55 hours based on the hour meter which I would say is about average for New England. I tried cleaning the drive and tabs frequently as well as the scum line where I could reach it but as the water got warmer I was shoveling you know what against the tide.

The yard painted the bottom at the beginning of the season with Pettit Hydrocoat which is what Sea Ray uses. It had been painted originally at the factory. I have no idea what they used on the drive but it was highly ineffective. I know it's a while away before I paint the bottom again but I would love to know what people have had good luck with for both the bottoom and the drive. I really need to do anything I can to avoid this problem next season.

Thanks, KV

 

[dc380]

KV

I use Petit Horizon ablative, with good results, and I am only a few miles north of you.

As for the outdrive, are you sure it was painted? The folks in my marina that have new boats with outdrives have had build-up problems as well. When they do it themselves the following year, they don't seem to have any problems.

I did get a little build-up on my running gear, which I scrapped off. Next year I plan to try Petit's new running gear anti-fouling paint.

Dave

 

[Sea Gull]

I use Interlux Micron CSC ablative paint in Connecticut. I usually launch around the 15th of April and can go about 4 months without doing more than using a brush around the waterline and down 6" or so.

My marina does not allow me to use a diver to clean my bottom , so in late August or early September I always have the boat hauled for a change (or at least inspection) of the zincs and a good power washing. By late in August I usually can see the start of some barnacles. By mid September there are barnacles that would slow me down and this growth continues until the water starts cooling down in late October.

I use my boat at least twice as much as you, and keep in a river that seems to foster less growth than other harbors.

Your experience doesn't seem too unusual. I would use a brush on the outdrive weekly and hire a diver at least once a month if you are able.

 

[Four Suns]

Ha! I do exactly what Jeff does on the painting and haulouts.... My boat however, stays in the water during the winter even though I have an itzy bitzy boat compared to him.

I think I've used a diver one time in 4.5 years on this boat.

 

[Bridog]

Tippy, Although I'm a little further south than you I have noticed the same. Early April with fresh bottom paint and clean drives I was at 48 MPH WOT. Now about 45WOT. MPG went south just as well. Even just a little growth can change the performance.

 

[Alex D]

Pettit Hydrocoat has consistently score high in PowerBoat Report tests and won their lates overall test. It is also what I use and what SR puts on from the factory. Water based is also user friendly.

 

[boatrboy]

I have used Pettit Ultima SR for 3 years now with excellent results. I am usually in the water around May 15 and out by Nov 1. The only thing I noticed with barnacles are my trim tabs. I usually swim around in August to check things out and scrape the tabs and props. Every year I put another coat on needed or or not.

 

[Tippy Canoe]

Thank you for all of your replies. One thing that I did not mention is that my boat lives on a mooring in Dutch Harbor as there are no slips on the west end of Jamestown where I live. I wonder if being on a mooring actually makes things worse. There are no docks, pilings or other structures for marine growth to latch on to so they all come to hang out on my boat. Come to think of it so do the sea gulls. Dutch Harbor is just a beautiful place but it is very hard to maintain a power boat on a mooring.

Thanks, KV

 

[Sea Gull]

Hey, I have never been on your boat! Don't blame me!

 

[LMBoat]

I have been using Trinidad Ultra for the last 5 years with good results. I'm in So Fl and the boat is kept in Saltwater year round. I apply 2 coats and the hull stays clean for 12- 18 mos. The props and trim tabs are another story. I get about 10 months for them. After that, it's time for my mask, snorkel, gloves, and a scrapper. Next time, I'm going to try 3 coats. I'm contemplating pulling the props with the boat in the water and re-painting them. Anyone done that themselves <330DA with 17 x 17 props>? I might hire a diver as an option