Opinions on antifouling paint

[Youngin19]

I am getting ready to purchase bottom paint for our new boat (hope to settle this week). We are purchasing a 290AJ and will need 2 gallons for 2 coats. We are in a toss up with 3 different paints. Price on all 3 are almost the same so that isn't really a factor. Can anybody give me any insight on these paints? We will be using the boat in the Chesapeake Bay.

I have seen a fair amount of reviews on the first two paints and most were positive. I haven't seen paint 3 reviewed much but the reviews I saw were very mixed even though it contains the highest Cuprous Oxide content

Paint #1: West Marine PCA Gold $129.99 per gallon 40% Cuprous Oxide w/Irgarol
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...=true&storeNum=5000&subdeptNum=4&classNum=229

Paint #2: Pettit Hydrocoat $109.99 per gallon 40% Coprous Oxide
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...=true&storeNum=5000&subdeptNum=4&classNum=229

Paint #3: Pettit Horizons $119.99 per gallon 47.5% Coprous Oxide
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...=true&storeNum=5000&subdeptNum=4&classNum=229

Thank you in advance for your help,
Nick

 

[tbirdvet]

I use hydrocoat (same as from Sea Ray). Can buy for $106.95 with free shipping from Wholesalemarine.com but I'm sure others also are good.

 

[tobnpr]

Every locale is different, and the Gulf coast of Fl is probably the worst in the country for bottom growth, so I won't try to make a recommendation because what I use here isn't necessary up north.

But I can tell you that Irgarol (one of the "anti-slime" additives) has proven beneficial to me. While any good antifouling will eliminate the hard growth, it will have no effect on slime/algae growth at the waterline. These additives take care of that problem.

 

[LTD.330]

The Petit Hydrocoat is what Sea Ray puts on all of their boats.

I believe the WestMarine is a re-branded Petit Ultima SR40. http://www.pettitpaint.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=176

I use the Hydrocoat, but if I was in a harsher environment (read warmer water), I'd go with the SR40.

Defender.com is pretty competitive on paints too.

 

[katricol]

I am sold on micron extra. Lasts a long time for me in ct.

 

[Youngin19]

I am sold on micron extra. Lasts a long time for me in ct.

I used Micron CSC and it lasted me two seasons on my previous boat with no concerns except slime. There was no stopping it. I think the main reason the CSC worked was because it never sat for more than a week and we usually ran it WOT for at least a few minutes each time out (50+ mph), so I figured that blew most of it off. I know the paint is good but under those conditions I think most ablative paints would have worked.

The Petit Hydrocoat is what Sea Ray puts on all of their boats.

I believe the WestMarine is a re-branded Petit Ultima SR40. http://www.pettitpaint.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=176

I use the Hydrocoat, but if I was in a harsher environment (read warmer water), I'd go with the SR40.

Defender.com is pretty competitive on paints too.

I thought the West Marine brand was Pettit but wasn't 100% sure. That is great information, thank you very much! I was looking at the SR40 but it wasn't on sale and it was a lot more money.

 

[jcastle]

Here are some bottom paint comparisons. I bought Sea Hawk's Monterey here. It is water-based and competes with Hydrocoat, but has 15% more copper for the same price! Also is guaranteed by Sea Hawk for one 1 year against growth. Also got free shipping,

 

[Alex F]

I'm also using interlux Micron CSC. This season would be the third one after I sanded and applied 2 coats in spring 2008. Last spring I did minor touch ups and planning to do some this time as well. I use the boat every weekend idle to cruising speeds. Slime is the only issue (if you can call it an issue). I'm pretty happy with the paint but would love to see if there's anything better that can keep the slime away. Until then, I'll continue using rags to wipe the slime off couple of times during the season.

 

[2007Amberjack]

I used Pettit Hydrocoat last season. Our boat is docked in salt water for 6.5 months. It was good for keeping barnacle off the bottom but it did nothing to prevent slime build up which seriously hurt the boats performance in terms of fuel mileage and speed.

I switched up to the new Pettit Ultima SR 40. It has Iragol in it which is suppose to prevent slime build up on the hull so I am pretty hopeful it works.

 

[Alex F]

I switched up to the new Pettit Ultima SR 40. It has Iragol in it which is suppose to prevent slime build up on the hull so I am pretty hopeful it works.

Sounds great. Let us know how it works out for you. I'd love to be able to find something that can fight the slime. After all it can simply translate in saving lots of $$$ for fuel. At the begining of the season I see .9MPG and after 1.5 or so months I see it decline to .8 and it varies between .7-.8MPG, btw that's during cruising speed.