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Ablative paint

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michaelj
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132 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/04/2009 : 08:45:10

My boat is moored year round on the Neuse River near Pamlico Sound in North Carolina. I had her hauled out and the bottom cleaned and albative paint applied in April '08. How often does this need to be done? Thanks.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2009 : 09:18:19

I'll suggest that each year you look for areas that are worn--such as the forward edge of the keel and the bow... I touched up areas like that and painted along the waterline (for looks). A good way to keep track of wear is to have one color as your base coat, and use a contrasting color (initially two coats) on top that you can maintain over the years. Whenever and wherever you see the base, or "signal" coat showing through, you need more paint. Then every 3-4 years, maybe just put a full coat of the top-coat color on. I'm a fan of dual-biocides to keep slime, moss, and grass off.

I'll also add the opinion that on a sailboat, the thing that takes off the most ablative paint is power-washing (or bottom scrubbing when in the water)--not sailing. My current boat is another story...

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 10/04/2009 09:27:28

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2009 : 15:51:11

Dave basically covered it. Most ablatives are advertised for one season, some for two. It is also dependent on how much you sail. If you don.t have significant growth, you're ok. I also just touch up annually, but I always two coat the leading edges. After two or three touch ups, I give it a season on the signal coat to wear a lot of it off and powerwash and repaint. If growth increases, I powerwash and repaint at the end of the season.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2009 : 19:07:23

Actually, most ablative are advertised as "multi-season"... Hard paint is only good for one, meaning if the boat is pulled out for a while, it's toast. A good friend uses lacquer thinner to smear his ablative paint around every spring--making it look new without adding any. I haven't tried that, but he's had great success. A lot of people pile on too many coats of ablative, just adding weight and wasting money.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2009 : 20:06:05

True, they are advertised as multi-season, but not by Practical Sailor. As long as there is paint left, they are probably working. I buy a gallon for a full painting and usually have enough left for future touch ups.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2009 : 20:07:10

My boat had about a year on the bottom paint when I bought it two years ago. We pulled it and washed the bottom to do the survey. It's been in the water since that time. About a month ago I pulled it when I was adjusting the bunks on my trailer. To my surprise the bottom had some slime on it but otherwise looked reasonably clean. On the recommendation of the yard guys and the lack of time to do it we didn't wash the bottom when it was out. They said the paint was getting thin and I would probably have to have the bottom done next spring.

I guess I should be pleased that the boat will have gotten almost four seasons on it before having to do anything to it but wash it once.

Edited by - GaryB on 10/04/2009 20:13:04

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2009 : 06:27:13

I have my boat pressurewashed with moderate pressure when it's hauled at the end of each seaason, and usually apply one fresh coat of good quality ablative paint in the spring before launch.

This spring, before launch, the bottom paint looked good, so I decided to try not applying a fresh coat this spring. The experts locally told me the paint needs to be re-energized after it has been out of the water for awhile. They said you can do that by scrubbing the bottom lightly with a plastic or similar scrubber, or by pressure washing it. I tried pressurewashing it again. When I haul the boat in a couple of weeks, I'll see if the re-energizing worked. In any case, next spring it'll get one fresh coat, unless I get a big surprise involving a harvest of barnacles.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 10/05/2009 06:32:11

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3442 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2009 : 10:46:39

I sail all year. I usually get it pressure washed once a year and I may have it done tomorrow depending if the yard has a slot available. They raise, pressure wash and lower the boat for $75 on Tuesdays. Each time the boat is pressure washed, there is a healthy coat of slime on it but comes off real easy with the pressure washing. believe this will be season 3 completed with last coating of copolymer paint (similar to ablative). I have noticed the boat at least 1 kt faster after the pressure washings. (I am in fresh water located in the upper Potomac River area near Wash DC.)

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cat25
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2009 : 10:10:20

Does anyone know about coppercoat bottom coating. Its suppose to have a 10 year lifespan before having to recoat.Ken

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5353 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2009 : 16:25:58

During the haulout, pressure-wash, touch up process, do you ever look for blisters or bubbles on the bottom of the hull?

While most boats do not have a problem, blisters, even small ones, can eventually create the crater-like appearance of the ablative paints, or hard paints.

It's always good to check.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.