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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Bottom paint question.

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Waterboy
Navigator

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USA
204 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/15/2005 : 19:21:04

I meant to get the bottom painted this summer, then this fall, now it's ten days before Christmas and lows at night are in the single digits.

We plan to take Sabrosa (C250 #48) to Baja in January. She needs paint. Currently the bottom is partially covered with fading VC-17 that rubs off rather easily, with some other paint underneath. We will be in Arizona for a couple weeks before we cross the border, so getting the bottom painted might be possible.

If we plan to be in the water for up to one week at a time (then trailer to a different locale), how important is fresh bottom paint? Will the bottom be damaged in any way by being in salt water for up to a week at a time?

Incidentally, I was not impressed with VC-17's antifouling properties here in Klamath Lake, Oregon, but the boat was in the water about six months.

Any advice or info will be greatly appreciated, Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2005 : 20:16:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Waterboy
 ...We plan to take Sabrosa (C250 #48) to Baja in January. She needs paint. Currently the bottom is partially covered with fading VC-17 that rubs off rather easily, with some other paint underneath...Incidentally, I was not impressed with VC-17's antifouling properties here in Klamath Lake, Oregon, but the boat was in the water about six months.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

VC-17m should not rub off easily and shouldn't be used over any other paint. I suspect your performance problems with VC-17m are directly related to how it was applied to your hull.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2005 : 20:32:35

Years ago, I sailed my unprotected C22 in salt water for 2 1/2 weeks, and a few tiny barnacles developed in that time, but it was no big deal. There weren't many, and they were easy to scrape off with a putty knife before I painted it. If you're going to sail it for a week at a time, I wouldn't worry about it. The old paint will provide some protection. It might help to spray it off after the first week.

In the past 2-3 years, almost all the paint manufacturers have started adding a chemical to their paint that very effectively retards the growth of algae. VC 17 can be bought with or without that chemical. The old VC 17 on your boat might not have that chemical. I just checked the Interlux paint website, and they consider VC 17 a hard finish paint, and they describe the way it works to prevent fouling. It's an excellent racing paint, but it's really only intended for one season's use.

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited by - Steve Milby on 12/15/2005 21:03:58

Waterboy
Navigator

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USA
204 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2005 : 20:59:18

I have no idea what the VC-17 is applied over, or if it was done properly. It's at least 3 seasons old, and has been exposed to salt water for about two weeks, several months in a lake known for it's algae, and about 15K miles trailer travel through various conditions. Upon reconsideration I suppose for a racing paint (isn't it?) I should not complain about its performance.

My concerns are first, damaging the fiberglass to the point I can't DIY fixit this summer '06, and secondly, fouling so fast and so bad as to significantly impair the sailing characteristics on our mini cruise.

Thanks, all opinions welcome.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2005 : 21:20:23

Hi Greg, I just had to laugh. I just spent a couple of minutes trying to figure out how to pronounce your last name in your profile. I finally got it. On-a-need-to-know-basis. For the longest time I thought you were Amerigan Indian. Anyway....I just talked to my marina guys and for $100.00 they are going to blast my bottom. So whatever has been painted on through out the years will be history. Cheers.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2005 : 21:24:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 Anyway....I just talked to my marina guys and for $100.00 they are going to blast my bottom...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ouch!...That's gotta hurt!

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2005 : 22:17:19

We are a tough breed up here in Michigan. No sissy sailors here. Cheers.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2005 : 02:51:51

Any boat needs to be power washed immediately as it is hauled or the paint will appear to have failed. We have a power wash at our crane, VC-17 boats go into the yard looking beautiful after a season, as Steve said they need fresh paint in the spring but the surface is pretty much prepped by the power wash at haulout. If I trailered I would bring my own power washer and generator if need be.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2005 : 19:07:51

My friend's Hunter 28 has a newer bottom with an epoxy barrier coat and VC17m, but he's a bit frustrated by the fact that even though everything was applied correctly, his VC17m flakes off whereas my VC17m is smooth with absolutely no flaking.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2005 : 07:16:16

Waterboy,
This is what my boat looked like after haul out in November:

I put red VC17m on first and then over coated that with blue. That way it is apparent where the paint is wearing off. As Frank said, the boat is power washed immediately on haul out.
Next spring, one coat of VC17m rolled on and she's set to go. In reality, I could probably get away without doing it, but for $60 and a couple of hours of work, can't see not doing it.

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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.