Color-matched bottom paints?

[superbenk]

We're considering putting our boat in a slip, but I've never dealt with bottom paint before & honestly, I hate the thought of painting that ugly black paint all over my nicely restored boat:

I've seen some bottom paints that look like they come in various colors, but I'm wondering if they're any good? Here's one example:

http://www.pettitpaint.com/vivid.asp

Will bottom paint hold up to occasional trailering (we usually vacation in the Finger Lakes, but live near Philly - boat will be kept in the Delaware)?

If I went with a white paint, would it still get ugly brown despite being anti-fouling?

My boat is approx 18' long, how much paint would I have to consider for a boat this size? How do I figure out how much to buy or where exactly to place the water line?

I've done the entire restore myself & I'm pretty confident with painting the bottom myself - am I being too ambitious?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Color-matched bottom paints?

You do NOT have to paint at all. Are you talking about salt, fresh or brackish water?

Many people just work harder to keep the hull clean.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Color-matched bottom paints?

You do NOT have to paint at all. Are you talking about salt, fresh or brackish water?

Many people just work harder to keep the hull clean.

I'm pretty sure the water up near Bristol or Croydon (not sure where we'd slip yet) is fresh at that point. Need to find that out somehow.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Color-matched bottom paints?

Many people just work harder to keep the hull clean.

Also, how often would I have to pull the boat & power-wash/scrub the hull & drive to keep it looking nice if I didn't bottom paint?

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Color-matched bottom paints?

YES the brown waterline stain will be there, even with bottom paint.
Pettit makes excellent products BUT that boat is way too pretty for bottom paint.
Consider a lift or pulling it every couple weeks to scrub it. It's the only way.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Color-matched bottom paints?

YES the brown waterline stain will be there, even with bottom paint.
Pettit makes excellent products BUT that boat is way too pretty for bottom paint.
Consider a lift or pulling it every couple weeks to scrub it. It's the only way.

Hey, thanks for the compliment!! Maybe I'll save the money for bottom paint & invest in a power washer instead.

Found the salinity map of the Delaware River & we'll definitely be in the fresh water zone (above Philadelphia): http://mapping2.orr.noaa.gov/portal/Delaware/maps/PDFs/dew_salinity_021707.pdf