Bottom anti-fouling for Aluminum boats

[Houghton laker]

Keeping my 16' aluminum in a well I've been trying some anti fouling wax to help in the fall clean-up....it helps...but looking to try something better....I was thinking of possibly trying out Scatt this season....Wondering if anyone has used this??? and how it worked out for them....My next choice would be to bottom paint it with Trilux33....Any Info would be appreciated!...Pros and Cons of either method!

[MiketheElder]

HL, when you come up with an answer let me know. I want to do something also but I really, really, really don't want to paint. The prep will kill you. When I had my big (32') fiberglass I dreaded doing it every other year.

[Houghton laker]

Here's what all of us Ordered and are trying this year!! Pauls been using it for years and likes it!! It comes with good reviews!

http://www.boatersland.com/scatt.html

[Damark Marine]

Scatt works as good as anything if you are not wanting to paint.You will still have to clean the boat bottom as you will have buildup if you leave it in for a season. Probably the best non painting option.

Paint, well if you clean & prep the bottom, prime it w/int2000e apply trilux over the primer you will have a bottom that will protect well for many years to come, just a powerwash in the fall & you are gtg.

paint= more work on the application & less work in the future
scatt= less work on the application more work every fall to clean

choices choices

[Hotwired]

Scatt works as good as anything if you are not wanting to paint.You will still have to clean the boat bottom as you will have buildup if you leave it in for a season. Probably the best non painting option.

Paint, well if you clean & prep the bottom, prime it w/int2000e apply trilux over the primer you will have a bottom that will protect well for many years to come, just a powerwash in the fall & you are gtg.

paint= more work on the application & less work in the future
scatt= less work on the application more work every fall to clean

choices choices

I have a unpainted aluminum bottom with a little crud left over from last season.
I plan on cleaning it with muraitic acid and then applying Scatt.
Will that make it easier to clean when I pull it out this fall?

[Damark Marine]

Well I never find cleaning easy or fun but it should reduce the amount of crud & cleaning

[Hotwired]

Well I never find cleaning easy or fun but it should reduce the amount of crud & cleaning

Thanks.

[Bucket-Back]

The 2000 and Trilux are hard to beat but would stay away from muiratic acid on aluminum,it might eat some metal and cause your rivets to leak.At least that is what I am blaming my old boats problem on.

[john warren]

no acid on aliminium. if you paint,,,,no copper based paint.
copper+aluminium +electrolite(water)=a battery
electric current will turn your hull into a dandy electroplating device with your hull as the sacrificial anode.

[SabikiRig]

Aquagard Alumi-Coat

http://www.aquagard-boatpaint.com/products.htm#ALUMIKOAT

There was an advertisement in my last issue of Saltwater Sportsman. It is a tin-free water based anti-fouling for aluminum, I am going to try the Clear Anti-Fouling Spray for the Lower Unit on my walkaround though.

How about Trilux33 by Interlux? It is TBT free and is intended for Aluminum hulls, I have used Interlux paints for years and they work well. No complaint with the MicronCSC I am using now.

http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa//how_to/trilux_33_how_to.asp?ComponentID=23235&SourcePageID=26352

[waterfoul]

NO MURIATIC ACID ON ALUMINUM!!! Bad bad bad!

The trilux33 is good stuff (we sell it at West Marine) but it is a pretty big job to prep and paint. You will need a respirator for sure and you will NOT want to get any of the paint on your skin, so I reccomend a tyvek suit (also available at West).

Not familiar with the Scatt product at all.

[Houghton laker]

I believe if this Scatt doesn't do the job this season...in the fall when I pull it...I'll be bringing it to Damark Marine....Already got a quote from them and may just have the bottom done right!