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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Bottom paint

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Robert
1st Mate

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USA
75 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/18/2003 : 19:14:43

I have a 2001 C250WB and I did not plan to paint the bottom because the boat is only in the water for 6 months and it is in fresh water.I am having second thoughts now. The periods between haul outs are getting longer and grass is beinning to show on the bottom. I would like to know what kind of paint other C250 owners are using for their boats. Did the factory put a barrier coat on the boat after production? If not, what types of barrier coats are being used? Has anyone used a copolymer paint? How many coats were applied? Did you find it worth the additional expense?

2WX@55

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2003 : 14:41:15

Robert,

I keep my C250WB in the water and have the bottom painted with Micron CSC. I consulted with others about painting the bottom before having it done -- particularly Mark Melchior in this forum. I'll include his email below. My original paint job didn't hold up and I had an expensive redo after one year. I think this was due to poor surface preparation by my dealer doing the paint job. I've been in the water for 2 years now and it's time for a pullout to check on the bottom and do other maintenance. If I had it to do over again, I'd follow Mark's program with the VC17. Other's I've talked to in my marina here have also used VC17 with success, although they have WKs. If Mark's still around, maybe he can provide an update on how his bottom paint is holding up. Practical Sailor is also a good reference for bottom paint.

Max

*********************************************************************

Mark's email (sorry for the poor formatting):

Max,

I called Catalina before I had my bottom paint applied, too. They
assured
me no barrier coat was needed. Even my marina's service guy (who
prep'd and
painted my bottom) told me that to sand the bottom would void my 5 year
osmosis warranty. So, he applied a non-sanding sealer and three coats
of
VC-17 with a roller. Let me step back a moment . . . for a year after
initial purchase, the boat stayed on its trailer and I launched each
time we
sailed . . . dryslipping at the marina. For about six months, I had it
in a
wetslip before bottom painting. I kept the waterline pretty clean by
brushing on a regular basis. But there was a good coat of slime down
lower
where I couldn't reach. Paint preparation (before the sanding sealer)
included a muriatic acid wash and powerwashing by the service guy.

My boat sits in a wetslip all year. I suspect your lake is similar to
mine
. . . clear freshwater down to 60 degrees during winter (maybe even 55
if
its a cold year) and up to almost 90 degrees during the summer . . .
limestone bottom. Two months ago, I pulled the boat for the first time
in a
year (since having the bottom painted) for a trip to Pensacola. All
the
bottom needed to look freshly painted was a quick spray with water from
the
faucet to remove the mild accumulation of algae in spots well below the
waterline, none at the waterline . . . no powerwasher needed. During
that
year in the water, I never even brushed the bottom for fear of
scratching
the bottom paint. I have been assured that this would not have
happened. I
am VERY satisfied with the VC-17. It makes the boat faster than when
it had
a clean, bare (unpainted) bottom.

Upon return from Pensacola, I decided to apply a quart of VC-17 on my
own
before putting the boat back in its slip. It was easy to do while the
boat
was on its trailer. I figured I'd touch up around the waterline and
repaint
the rudder which wasn't painted very well the first time. It rolls on
easy.
I used that ketchup squirt bottle mentioned in my post. Kept the
paint's
solvent from evaporating too quickly. 30 minutes after application,
the
boat was back in its slip. The good thing about VC-17 is that it
redissolves the previous layers. No sanding needed. No peeling
either. It
fades or thins in time because of friction with the water, I suppose.
It is
a very thin Teflon finish. I will not put another paint on this bottom
unless we move to saltwater in the future . . . then it'll be VC-17
Offshore.

Hope this helps.

Mark Melchior
C250wb "Lorelei" #384

*********************************************************************

Max Day
C250 WB 380
Lake Pleasant, AZ

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2003 : 12:56:29

I thought I's post an update on bottom paint and keeping my WB in the water. Last week I had the boat pulled out to check the condition of the bottom paint and for motor maintenance. My WB has been in the water over two years (fresh water lake) after the last bottom painting with Micron CSC. I was pretty happy with the condition of the bottom. There were a few chips, but it looked like normal wear. Best of all, there was no evidence of blistering -- except on my rudder, which had a crack in it allowing seepage into the bottom. I plan to just touch it up until the nice sailing weather here is over (Yes, the good sailing season here is just beginning! <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>) and pull out for a new coat of paint in late spring. Then I have to decide if I want to spend major $$$$ to have the Micron CSC removed and VC17 put on or go the less expensive route (but still costing more $$ than I'd like) and just have another coat of the Micron CSC put on.

I'm tempted to try and redo the bottom myself, but it's alot of dirty work. Anyone have any advice on getting the boat off the trailer and supported by some jacks? The marina at the lake here doesn't have anything like a mobile lift that you see at the big coastal marinas. I'm also wondering how to get to the ceterboard.

Max Day
C250 WB 380
Lake Pleasant, AZ

Edited by - on

azexploder
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2003 : 01:03:52

One of the guys in the AYC has a sling lift. He offered to assist me in getting my bunks repositioned so my wb sits level. He will be at the Fall Series opening day breakfast this Sat. I’ll get is # and get back to you.

The Sailboat Shop on McClintock and the 202 has a sling lift also.

Mike
C250 0048
Bluebyu2

Edited by - azexploder on 09/24/2003 01:06:19

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2003 : 14:07:26

Thanks Mike.

The Sailboat Shop lift on McClintock was where my boat was originally painted when I bought it. Did you ever get your bottom repainted? I think you mentioned there was some paint on it, along with some old dried up slime. And what's with the bunks on the trailer? Did the boards get warped or broken? I wouldn't think they could get out of position much, but I could see where replacement bunks might cause a crooked set. I had to recarpet mine this year -- the previous covering was totally gone after several years in the sun.

How's your crew shaping up for the season? Get those spinnaker drills down?

Max Day
C250 WB 380
Lake Pleasant, AZ

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2003 : 18:58:21

"I never even brushed the bottom for fear of scratching the bottom paint".
I have VC17 Offshore on the keel (the only part of the boat that it is in the water all the time (boat is on a hydrohoist). My boatyard guru (a VERY hard core racer) recommended this paint and stated emphatically that the more you clean it the harder and more polished (and therefore faster <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>) it becomes.
Derek

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc30b3127cce942c608d6f1e0000001010" border=0>
TRFK#2262"This Side Up"

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