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Is bottom paint required for salt water?

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Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/10/2010 : 07:09:27

I am putting my boat in salt water for the summer. It has never been bottom painted and I have a little sticker shock for a quote to have it done ($1900).

Is bottom paint really necessary if its only for 3-6 months?

Also, do I need zinc placed somewhere and if so, how big and where should I place it?

Thanks,
Kurt

Kurt C-250 #818

"Tortuga"

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2010 : 07:33:23

You need antifouling paint in salt water if it's in there for more than a week or two at a time. I'd put on one coat if it's going to be in there for 6 months.

If you have a trailer with roller bunks, it should be easy to paint it yourself. Give it a light wet sanding, mask the waterline with tape, and roll the paint on with a paint roller. You should be able to do it in a day or two. To paint under the rollers, roll the boat aft about a foot and paint. I just finished putting two coats on my 35' C&C, and it took 2 days.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2010 : 08:25:51

That cost seems very high. I would get a price breakdown on the cost. When I had my boat bottom painted about 3 1/2 years ago (with a multi-yr paint and boat used in freshwater), the cost was approximately $1100 with me furnishing the paint. The cost included lifting the boat out of the water, pressure washing the bottom and then travelling via the travel arm lift to their maintenance yard at about 1-2 mph. Then setting it up on the supports. The yard charged $200 for the week in the mtn yard whether I painted it or they painted it. Perhaps, if you have a trailer and can bring it to the point where they only have to set it up on supports or reposition it on your trailer, then you may be able to save some cost. Do you have any other yards nearby that you can get a second estimate ?

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Capt. Kurt
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185 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2010 : 08:44:42

They told me the cost was higher because on a new hull they have to sand it and apply primer and 2 coats of anti fouling paint.. I thought it was high too. I will try a couple other boat yards, but this I'm in southern california which probably doesn't help matters.

Thanks,
Kurt

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2010 : 10:59:44

Kurt, that sounds hi to me. Piseas II is in a slip in SoCal(salt water) and cost is about $1200 but others in San Diego, CA have posted prices of $800. I have my bottom cleaned each month as well @ $35 per month.
Can you shop around?
Steve A
PS Is bottom paint needed. When my boat sits a week w/o use after just being bottom cleaned, there is significant growth.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2010 : 11:13:50

I don't know what year your boat is, but you will void the hull warranty if you sand the bottom. The bottom must be cleaned with acetone to remove the wax, then apply non-sanding primer and then bottom paint. You can do this yourself if it is on a trailer. I just had mine done for the Mug Race and the total cost including haul out was $750 not including the paint. This did include a light sanding. Just to take off the old bottom paint not the primer.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2010 : 11:54:26

I agree with Frog... The first step is removing the mold-release wax from the production process. Sanding tends to reduce the resistance of the gelcoat to the permeation of water that causes blisters. Sandless primer is the best alternative to let the bottom paint adhere. Generally, the first coat of paint should go on before the primer dries completely--check the instructions for the primer.

I'd suggest two coats of paint the first time--ablative paint in two different colors. Ablative (or "copolymer") paint (1) maintains its anti-fouling effectiveness for multiple seasons when the boat is stored out of the water between seasons, and it slowly wears away. "Hard" (or "epoxy") paint can't be left in the air for long, and builds up over the years as coats are added.

The first coat of the ablative paint is your "signal coat"--its contrasting color shows you where paint should be added in future years. These paints don't wear away quickly on sailboats--a coat will take care of you for at least a season, but two coats, making the first one your "signal" color, is a good way to start. If these suggestions jack up the cost even further, you can ignore them... but yes, you need bottom paint!

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 05/10/2010 11:56:59

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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.