Bottom Paint

[NespoJoe]

Question on bottom painting frequency...last done in March 2020 using Sea Hawk Cukote. Boat did not go into the water that year until July thanks to covid. So 2.5 seasons on the paint. Just hauled out and not very "hairy" - quite comparable to haulout 2022 & 2021 - so copper/poison must still be doing an effective job. Go another season? Thoughts please.

 

[RichieRitz]

Seems 3.5 seasons then. Type of anti fouling might be a good question. I’ve had better season after season performance with some over others. Anyway I assume you power washed it. I’d just check out condition of bottom afterwards and what kind of coverage is left. Sometimes even after a couple years just a touch up job was all I’ve needed. You might be fine- I see it’s multi season semi hard ablative. My go to is VC17.

 

[Skybolt]

It's unusual to get more then 2 full seasons on bottom paint, but I am used to salt water. Fresh may have better longevity. Either way I wouldn't want to go another season. No barnacles in the fresh, so maybe just touch up bare spots and plan on doing it next year.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Looking at the paint specs 3 years is max. I'd be figuring on a repaint if it was mine. I'm using VC17m on mine and 3 years is it but it's an entirely different type of bottom paint. I did mine this past spring and I'll still do a touch up on it along the rear waterline and the areas where the pads were last winter.

 

[Shaps]

Question on bottom painting frequency...last done in March 2020 using Sea Hawk Cukote. Boat did not go into the water that year until July thanks to covid. So 2.5 seasons on the paint. Just hauled out and not very "hairy" - quite comparable to haulout 2022 & 2021 - so copper/poison must still be doing an effective job. Go another season? Thoughts please.

I use the exact same bottom paint. I get about 2 seasons out of it before I need another coat. That's approximately 75-80 hours of run time per season for me.

 

[Skybolt]

So what bottom paint does everyone use? I have always used Interlux Micron CSC, But I barely got a year out it this go around. Definitely not worth the money they charge. Short hauled in the middle of this season, which was the 2nd year and the bottom was the worst I have every seen it. It was like is was the 4th year and the boat never moving. Nothing but barnacles and thick slime, first time for this.

 

[Shaps]

So what bottom paint does everyone use? I have always used Interlux Micron CSC, But I barely got a year out it this go around. Definitely not worth the money they charge. Short hauled in the middle of this season, which was the 2nd year and the bottom was the worst I have every seen it. It was like is was the 4th year and the boat never moving. Nothing but barnacles and thick slime, first time for this.

Sea Hawk Cukote Antifouling Bottom Paint

Sea Hawk Cukote Antifouling Paint is a self-polishing copolymer antifoulant with a high loading of cuprous oxide. The formulation of this bottom paint makes it a top performer, even in the most severe fouling areas. As an ablative, self-polishing coating,

defender.com

 

[Pirate Lady]

So what bottom paint does everyone use? I have always used Interlux Micron CSC, But I barely got a year out it this go around. Definitely not worth the money they charge. Short hauled in the middle of this season, which was the 2nd year and the bottom was the worst I have every seen it. It was like is was the 4th year and the boat never moving. Nothing but barnacles and thick slime, first time for this.

Sky, I just finished all painting and I will say, the last 2 seasons have been the worst I’ve ever seen in 30+ boating years. I add a thin coat every year of ablative. No idea why, maybe our warmer winter arent killing off the critters. Although we had so much rain this year the upper bay is far from ‘salty’.
I have never painted a SS prop ever. This year when pulled it was covered in barnacles. I hope this is not the new normal.

 

[Avenger]

This is what I did on our last 510 and is now being done on our 60DA.

Completely Blast Bottom
4 coats Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff Epoxy
3 coats Sea Hawk Cukote

Done right this system will last 7+ years of typical Northern Michigan boating before it needs to be touched. This is very clean, cold, fresh water.

She's sitting in heated storage with a freshly blasted bottom. Thankfully the gel coat was in great shape and free of any blisters. Barrier and paint will be applied closer to spring.

 

[Skybolt]

Sky, I just finished all painting and I will say, the last 2 seasons have been the worst I’ve ever seen in 30+ boating years. I add a thin coat every year of ablative. No idea why, maybe our warmer winter arent killing off the critters. Although we had so much rain this year the upper bay is far from ‘salty’.
I have never painted a SS prop ever. This year when pulled it was covered in barnacles. I hope this is not the new normal.

Yeah your not kidding, it has been so bad. It's tough with brackish water, you get the worst of both type of algae and the barnacles this year were crazy.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Yeah your not kidding, it has been so bad. It's tough with brackish water, you get the worst of both type of algae and the barnacles this year were crazy.

I’m thinking a short haul in July is going to be required. Will see.

 

[Skybolt]

I’m thinking a short haul in July is going to be required. Will see.

Yep, I did one in Aug this year. I had lost over 3mph because of the bottom. Put the boat back in after it was power washed and touched up and I was back at 23.5mph.

Switching bottom paint next year and going with propspeed on all running gear instead of just on the props.

 

[alnav]

So what bottom paint does everyone use? I have always used Interlux Micron CSC, But I barely got a year out it this go around. Definitely not worth the money they charge. Short hauled in the middle of this season, which was the 2nd year and the bottom was the worst I have every seen it. It was like is was the 4th year and the boat never moving. Nothing but barnacles and thick slime, first time for this.

Orlando, I've had my boat since she was 1 year old. The dealer told me Pettit was Sea Ray OEM and I have always stuck with that. I'm consistently getting 3-4 years on my paint since I started keeping her in the water over the winter more or less in the same water as you. I have also consistently used a diver over the years.

 

[Skybolt]

Orlando, I've had my boat since she was 1 year old. The dealer told me Pettit was Sea Ray OEM and I have always stuck with that. I'm consistently getting 3-4 years on my paint since I started keeping her in the water over the winter more or less in the same water as you. I have also consistently used a diver over the years.

Al, someone at my dock that has a 380 told me the same thing. Pettit Hydro coat and they get 2-3 years with only a short haul each season. Didn't know Pettit was Sea Rays OEM bottom paint. Good to know, thanks.

 

[RichieRitz]

Question on bottom painting frequency...last done in March 2020 using Sea Hawk Cukote. Boat did not go into the water that year until July thanks to covid. So 2.5 seasons on the paint. Just hauled out and not very "hairy" - quite comparable to haulout 2022 & 2021 - so copper/poison must still be doing an effective job. Go another season? Thoughts please.

How did you fare with zebras in Michigan this season? I put anti fouling on outdrive and still got quite a few in the nooks and crannies - will have to do a better job this spring. Guess they’re our Great Lakes version of barnacles..

 

[RichieRitz]

Fresh coat of this past spring for hull. After power wash it looks as good as when we put in. Their Trilux33 for outdrive did ok but as I said, not super great. Fwiw

 

[NespoJoe]

How did you fare with zebras in Michigan this season? I put anti fouling on outdrive and still got quite a few in the nooks and crannies - will have to do a better job this spring. Guess they’re our Great Lakes version of barnacles..

I had a bunch behind my transom anode, a few on my trim tabs, and a few in the recesses where the shafts go through the hull...nothing more than last year (or the year before).

 

[RichieRitz]

I had a bunch behind my transom anode, a few on my trim tabs, and a few in the recesses where the shafts go through the hull...nothing more than last year (or the year before).

Ok thanks. That sounds very much like here. My first year with an outdrive so adapting to the issues. What anti fouling do you use on outdrive if any?

 

[ttmott]

I have no complaints on the Pettit products. I used Pettitt Hydrocoat ablative on the last boat and liked it. My 52DB boat is actually going back in the water tomorrow morning. Insurance survey, anodes, and two coats of Trinidad Pro hard antifouling. I get three years here in Fl on the Trinidad Pro.

 

[Richard Carlisle]

As long as we’re on the topic... I have a few spots where the bottom paint has chipped off around the waterline and the bow thruster port. No idea what -ain’t was used. I wanted to get it blasted and done right but that might have to wait till next year. Can’t find anyone to much of anything on the boat so going to have to do it myself this year.

How should I handle the bare spots? the gel coat exposed by the chipped paint looks like it has never been touched by a sander. Can I just rough it up and paint? Is there a primer that should go between the gel coat and bottom paint?

mext year I’ll haul where services are more readily available.