Bottom Paint Selection for Grady

typhoon411

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I took a look at Pettit's website and WOW I'm confused...
http://www.pettitpaint.com/

I'm looking to put on the appropriate bottom protection for my grady white (28' Marlin) and I'm alittle confused as to what I should do. I hear about barrier paint and then coats of additional paint etc... I know of Interlux, Seahawk, Pettit and Blue Water Marine paints, but I'm not srue which products I should by for the initial coats as well as the barrier coats...

Maybe this could be a Stickie? I'm happy to compile the findings into one message...

Thanks all!

Joe
 
are you on a lift or trailer? You need to look for "Max dry time before launch" if so. Some paints have a limited amount of time the paint can sit out of the water before it loses antifouling properties.

I use Petit Ultima SR. About $200/gal, but well worht it. Ablative is the way to go.

http://www.pettitpaint.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=2
 
both interlux and petitt are good bottom paints.....if your bottom is older and a bit worn, have it blasted and put 4-5 coats of interprotect before bottom coating.....it gives plenty of working time between coats and the hull will be watertite for years to come.
 
Interlux Interprotect (barrier coat) does give good time between coats, however you have a VERY limited time betw the last coat of barrier coat and the first coat of paint.
 
There are two types of paint hard and ablative.
Hard is very good for boats that remain in the water, but most loose their growth inhibiting properties if out of the water any length of time (like a couple of weeks). Unlike ablative, it will not come off, so you may need to blast it off as stated.
Ablative will flake off when marine growth starts and is usually good for 2-3 years. I'd think this is what is on your hull today as it is the most popular for a rig that is in/out of the water.

Most people in the NE that I know layup for winter and use ablative. For a clean hull, I'd lightly sand to take the gelcoast shine off and coat 2X, you'll need a couple of gallons (less than one per coat on that boat). Save the balance for touch ups for the next couple of years.

If already coated, I'd hit it with one coat. Check it next year and touch up as needed. You will need to determine what is on the boat now (ablative or hard).

I'd talk to folks where you keep the boat and see what most use in these conditions. Some work better than others in areas. Pretty much all are decent paints today from what I can tell. I've used Pettit Hydrocoat ablative, I'm sure you'll get other recommendations.

Just my 2 pennies.
 
My only choice, on the last 4 boats and 20 years, is Petit multi-season ablative. Never had a barnacle, and never any peeling or flaking, or any other issues. 2 coats initially, then one coat every other year, here in Delaware. I haul her out in December and re-launch in the Spring, so she's out of the water 4 months or more. That's what works for me.
 
Thanks Everyone!

Thanks Captain Bill!

I went with two gallons of hard for first two barrier coats then two coats of the Micron Interlux 66 for the exterior. Should last a few seasons!
 
Joe! Hold up a sec! What do you mean by "2 gallons of the hard for barrier coat"?

You don't mean you applied 2 coats of hard epoxy bottom paint and think that is a "barrier coat" do you?

A "Barrier coat" is a 2-part epoxy coat you apply before bottom paint. Hard epoxy bottom paint is NOT an epoxy barrier coat.