Bottom paint

[excavman]

Being very new to sailing and boats in general I am in need of info on the where, what, why, when and how of caring for the bottom of my newly acquired Chrysler C-22. I am planning a nice long trip for the spring if it ever gets here and would like to have her in as good a condition as possible. I have searched the forum and haven't found the info I need, i.e. cleaning,painting, etc. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry

[Frank]

Bottom paint is probably like the anchor topic...right up there with politics and religion.....everyone has an opinion. I do know that different paints work better in salt water over fresh....in cooler water over warm. For me, with a boat in Bahamas...I like Trinidad. But, as they say...only my opinion.
Depending what you have on now and what you are putting on...your botton may merely need a sanding, or, depending on the paint, the entire existing paint removed 1st.
Find out what is on there now, talk to a local marine store to see what is compatible and what works best in your intended waters.
I still like Trinidad (Petit) for warm and salty   ;D

[s/v Faith]

I agree with Frank,

... which completely blows his point out of the water.  ;D

Bottom paint is largely a regional thing, even the magazine tests are pretty much
valid for whatever area they tested in.

Horizons was great when i was on the brackish river in NC, however it  has failed
in a spectacular way now....

... will probably try Trinidad next, or the new generic imitation of it (if I can find it).

I am quite suspicious of the 'new' water based "Green" paints... I hope they work out,
but I will let others see.

[s/v Monomoy]

Ha, I agree with Frank and Craig.  :)

We sail NW Florida in/around the Pensacola Bay area.  Our last boat had Interlux Micron Extra, which worked well, but then we repainted with Interlux Micron 66, because we thought it would be even better.  The Micron Extra battled both slime and barnacles, but the Micron 66 only worked well with the barnacles.

Our current boat has Trinidad SR on it that had been working really well, so when we haul next month to repaint, we are applying Trinidad SR60.

I've found www.wholesalemarine.com to have some of the best prices on bottom paint, with free shipping.

Fair winds,

Ben

[excavman]

Thanks guys, I guess I should have mentioned that the PO gave me a gallon of bottom paint with the boat, same stuff he's been using in the Huntsville area. Do you think that pressure washing and a light sanding will work, it's not in too bad a shape? Also, is it recommended to get the boat in the water soon after applying the paint? I plan to run the ICW from south Texas to Mobile then up the Tenn-Tom to Kentucky Lake.

Larry

[CharlieJ]

Depends on rhe paint. Some can go rightaway, some, like the Pettit we use, recquire a waiting period-16 hours for the Pettit. Some can stay out for months and be ok,'others dry out.

Follow the directions on the can.