What is everyone using?

[SeaWhisper]

Just looking for input.

Pulling out in two weeks to paint the bottom. (DIY) What bottom paint have you been pleased with?

I'm looking at Interlux Ultra Kote - with Biolux. We are in NC waters, our Hat is a MY so average speed 9 knots. Currently the bottom is non-ablative. Thanks.

 

[GJH]

We used SeaHawk CuKote in that exact same area and were very happy with it, as were our divers. As you have likely learned by now, the Yacht Basin is growth city given the current going through there.

 

[capttonyf]

Just looking for input.

Pulling out in two weeks to paint the bottom. (DIY) What bottom paint have you been pleased with?

I'm looking at Interlux Ultra Kote - with Biolux. We are in NC waters, our Hat is a MY so average speed 9 knots. Currently the bottom is non-ablative. Thanks.

We have the Interlux Ultra w/Biolux on ours and its worked great. Just hit Two years in February and the diver told us to start looking to get it done. We're going to have it done probably in June. We are less than a 1/2 mile from the Ocean on the 1st canal north of Port Everglades and we get a lot of tidal flow through here and the Diver said our is one of his easiest boats. When I asked him what he recomended he told me without a doubt stick with what we have. Even when I spoke to the yard to get an idea of cost he asked what was on it and when I told him he said that's a great choice for around here and also recomended sticking with it. Hope that helps in your decision making. There are pictures of our bottom if you look at our gallery.

Tony

 

[Texastailboard]

Micron 66, I was told by Interlux rep that some paints "die" if your out of the water for extended repair time. When you put the boat back in after being out for a weeks growth starts on heavy.

Brooks

 

[SeaWhisper]

We used SeaHawk CuKote in that exact same area and were very happy with it, as were our divers. As you have likely learned by now, the Yacht Basin is growth city given the current going through there.

I agree George. The growth is something else. Thanks

 

[SeaWhisper]

We have the Interlux Ultra w/Biolux on ours and its worked great. Just hit Two years in February and the diver told us to start looking to get it done. We're going to have it done probably in June. We are less than a 1/2 mile from the Ocean on the 1st canal north of Port Everglades and we get a lot of tidal flow through here and the Diver said our is one of his easiest boats. When I asked him what he recomended he told me without a doubt stick with what we have. Even when I spoke to the yard to get an idea of cost he asked what was on it and when I told him he said that's a great choice for around here and also recomended sticking with it. Hope that helps in your decision making. There are pictures of our bottom if you look at our gallery.

Tony

Thanks Tony, Ultra w/Biolux was on the top three of my list.

 

[saltshaker]

Micron 66 would be my recommendation. Best paint I've used by a long shot. I haven't used the Interlux Ultra or the Seahawk. I'd favor George's Rex since he had his boat in the same location as you for several years. Talk to Interlux and see what the difference is between these paints. Micron 66 is a great paint but I'm not sure you can put it over certain hard paints. Have you looked into having a pro paint the bottom? I don't know what the rates are down there but I've found the cost to be similar to have it done as doing it myself or just slightly higher. The yard may have a deal for haul,!wash and paint that is more attractive than paying for everything yourself. Once I realized this about 15 years ago, I stopped painting my own bottom. My last bottom job cost about $200 more for the yard to do it opposed to me DIYing it.

 

[sgharford]

I use Micron 66 too - I never know bottom paint could be so good. I put 3 coats over Interprotect 2000 about 6 years ago, only last year did I have to use gallon to touch up around water line. Bottom comes out pretty clean, no barnacles on fiberglass, only a black slime in areas (Western Long Island Sound).

 

[saltshaker]

I use Micron 66 too - I never know bottom paint could be so good. I put 3 coats over Interprotect 2000 about 6 years ago, only last year did I have to use gallon to touch up around water line. Bottom comes out pretty clean, no barnacles on fiberglass, only a black slime in areas (Western Long Island Sound).

I'm going to go a bit longer this time. I hauled my boat last winter to get some work done including bottom paint. Bottom looked like it was just painted. Yard asked if I wanted to skip the paint work stating they didn't think I needed it. I opted to repaint since its a major PITA to get this big girl out of the water.This will be season 2 for me so I'm hoping to get another 2 before I paint again. I've used Micron CSC for years and am amazed at how much better the Micron 66 performs, mainly from a longevity point. I have to thank Dave, captddis, for the recommendation. He sold me on the benefits of Micron 66 when I was in Fl.

 

[finatic]

I'm up in New Bern and my diver told me that Petit Trinidad stands up the best that he's seen. I'll be hauling and doing my bottom soon.

 

[Boatsb]

I'm going to go a bit longer this time. I hauled my boat last winter to get some work done including bottom paint. Bottom looked like it was just painted. Yard asked if I wanted to skip the paint work stating they didn't think I needed it. I opted to repaint since its a major PITA to get this big girl out of the water.This will be season 2 for me so I'm hoping to get another 2 before I paint again. I've used Micron CSC for years and am amazed at how much better the Micron 66 performs, mainly from a longevity point. I have to thank Dave, captddis, for the recommendation. He sold me on the benefits of Micron 66 when I was in Fl.

4 to 5 years with an extra coat of 66.

Nothing lasts as long.

Also unless you want to add weight get off the hard paints. Trinidad is a 30 year old formula that works ok but builds up too fast. We use it on running gear only.

 

[cjd]

My marina on the chesapeake is recomending pettit horizon eco. Has anyone used this? They quoted 600 material and labor on my 36. I didnt think that was bad.

 

[saltshaker]

I'm up in New Bern and my diver told me that Petit Trinidad stands up the best that he's seen. I'll be hauling and doing my bottom soon.

Trinidad has always been a top performer but as Scott said its a hard paint. After a while it will build up then the bottom will need to be stripped. Once you do this you will never want to use a hard paint again. Ablative paints are the way to go.

 

[PeterK]

Anyone had theirs done over here in the Bahamas? Curious what the actual life extension is using non-USA approved paint. I did have Trinidad SR put on 20 months ago and it is holding up decent. Looking down the road( or should I say sea lane) though...

 

[Boatsb]

A friend brought back a boat from the bahamas. They have almost no growth there. A few months here and it was a mess.

It's now painted with micron 66. The old Bahamian stuff was not good here.

FWIW I think micron 66 done right cost less in the long run than any other paint.

 

[saltshaker]

A friend brought back a boat from the bahamas. They have almost no growth there. A few months here and it was a mess.

It's now painted with micron 66. The old Bahamian stuff was not good here.

FWIW I think micron 66 done right cost less in the long run than any other paint.

Bottom paint has become very expensive and the difference in cost is a negligible percentage. The cost of a good bottom job is fairly high when you factor everything in. The longevity and performance of the paint is the biggest factor in overall cost. If a paint cost twice as much but yields an additional year or performs better in keeping the growth down, then it is a much better deal to me. Not having the added maintainanmaintenance and prep work needed with hard paints is also well worth any added cost in materials. Pay now or pay much more later

 

[jim rosenthal]

I use SeaHawk here in the Chesapeake and have had very good results. And Barnacle Buster on the running gear, although I'm thinking about using Rustoleum zinc this year.

 

[Boatsb]

Seahawks made in florida. We worked with them on more than one boat and they tried with additives and still were not a match for 66.

 

[bobk]

Some friends on the upper bay tried Sea Hawk and were not satisfied. I've been using Trinidad and Trinidad Pro for many years and get three years out of one coat with them. No growth in the first year, just a little in the second, and some scraping needed in the third. The boat is in the northern Bay much of the summer and on the North Fork of the St Lucie River over the winter. I do use 66 on the Angler on the St Lucie and I'm on my third season and it seems OK with just one scraping last fall.

I tried Vivid on the Angler at the suggestion of a painter here and it was lousy. Lots of growth in one season.

Bobk

 

[rwappleton]

We have CSC on the bottom now. Can you put 66 over it without a lot of hassle?