Bottom Paint

[Houghton laker]

I am new into boating and want to sand down and repaint the bottom of my Sea Ray weekender.......Any recommendations on what paint is best?? So many different types!

[Houghton laker]

OOps...wrong title on this one :D

[ESOX]

Fixed

[salmonslammer]

Does the boat stay in the water or is it trailered?

[Houghton laker]

boat stayes in well...and winterstored

[Downrod]

If you plan on keeping the boat and you really want to do it right, I would suggest applying an epoxy barrier coat ( interprotect 2000)and then apply VC-17 over it. I did this to my old boat ( 25 cherokee). The barrier coat ( actually 6 coats)will absolutely stop any water from seeping into your hull thus preventing any blisters. The VC -17 is what they use on racing boats. It is about one tenth the thickness of traditional anti-fouling paint and it goes on like water. With this paint you will have no build up and no sanding will ever be required again. Every year just apply another coat. you will get a smooth, extremely low drag finish. For your boat, I would guess that you will spend about $240 on the barrier coat and $ 120 on the anti-fouling paint.

[coverdog]

I would choose a multi-season like Micron or similar paint. You then can go about three years between coats with a light sanding before hand. It wears away over time, thus no build up to sand off. Expensive but in the long run it pays for itself as you don't go through the sanding and application every spring.

I also really liked vc-17 on my last boat. It is a hard teflon finish that only needs washed before you recoat. It goes on as thin as water so there is no build up. I did it every other year except for waterline wear. They claim it's not muti-season but every one I know that used it repainted every other year as well. I would have used it on this boat also but it doesn't come in black.

[Houghton laker]

the boat has been painted before but I plan on doing this right! money doesn't matter would prefer to do it right!! The boat was painted before so would I just sand it this spring and then paint on the Epoxy Barrier coat?? Or would I have to get ALL the old paint off?? Thanks

[coverdog]

For barrier coat. All the paint and residue must be removed. Read here. (http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/)

[Downrod]

You will need to remove all paint. Lightly sand the bare gelcoat with 80 grit sandpaper. This aids the adhesion of the epoxy barrier coat.

A friend of mine had a 23 weekender and he loved the boat. Good luck

[keducation]

I have had two SeaRays since 1978...
Both bottoms never got painted and I left them in the lake all summer.

I used SKATT as a bottom, trim tab and outdirve coating. SKATT is a clear
coating that can be sprayed on ....it easy to use and cheaper than paint.

In the fall, the boat is sprayed by the marina and then i go back and wash it
with bottom wash (a light acid which is roller on with a long handled paint
roller) then wash again with a hose...when done the bottom looks like the
day I purchased the boat...

You can buy SKATT at any boat store for about $50.00 a quart...a quart
will cover the entire bottom of a 268 Weekender when sprayed on with
a squirt bottle..

[Downrod]

Thanks for the info, Keducation. I am reluctant to paint the bottom of my boat. I put it in a couple of weeks ago with out doing anything to the bottom besides waxing. I know it will not be long before the bottom turns to green fur.

[Houghton laker]

unfortunately my boats bottom was already painted so I will have to make a desicion with the other methods....stripping it down and putting on the Epoxy barrier coat seems like the best option for me for the longefity of the boat!!

[salmonslammer]

I am going to be stripping the bottom paint on my 20' in a couple of weeks....I was wondering what was the best way to get the old stuff off......Peel away??? Chemical???Sandblasting?? Really big blow torch??? :SHOCKED:

[Downrod]

I used a vibration sander and a putty knife. That was the hard way. There are many types of strippers available. Most are a gel that you paint on with a paint brush, wait about 15 minutes, then scrape with a putty knife.

[Bucket-Back]

Using a non-marine stripper is usually cheaper and better but most have cautions about using on fiberglass,but its on the bottom anyway that you are painting.Sometimes you can scrape off a lot off the paint with a long(1-2 ft,) handled scraper.Or use a rub-out wheel with a 8" foam back disc and 60 grit,it turns to 80 grit after a few seconds anyway,just use the new paper back near the keel area and away from the waterline where you can see the sand marks easily.the Interlux 2000 barrier coat system with VC 17,Micron or Ultra-Kote works great and will last several years with just minor touch-ups if done properly.You need to put something on the ground to try to contain the mess to keep everyone (Marina's ,DNR) happy.