Best bottom paint for saltwater? Inexpensive

[BigDog98]

Looking for some tips on what paint i should purchase for the bottom. Boat is about 29 feet in length and i believe a gallon should do about 2 layers. How many coats is proper? I plan on purchasing a bottom remover to get all the old paint off completely and give it some fresh bottom paint from the gelcoat. I boat in some heavy saltwater , Li Sound , NY and growth on the bottom is heavy , i will be painting the bottom every year and the boat will only sit in the water 5-6 months top. Any advice would be great. Looking to spend no more then $100 on a gallon. Thank You

 

[Ned L]

Never mind

 

[airshot]

No such thing as cheap and good or best... Which one you want?

 

[BigDog98]

No such thing as cheap and good or best... Which one you want?

I guess my question would be which is the best for saltwater conditions that i boat in. Which will prevent growth for up to 5 months.

 

[BigDog98]

Never mind

Is it relevant ?

 

[ondarvr]

Ask locally, the needs are different in different bodies of water.

 

[tpenfield]

Dog98 -

'Best', 'saltwater' and 'inexpensive' don't go together.

The best antifouling paint that I have used in the whole world is ePaint EP-2000. Not too many places sell it, but it can be bought from "SMS Distributos". It will run you about $225/gallon, there is no such thing as a good anti-fouling paint for $100/gallon. I think even the bad ones cost more than that. I leave my boat in saltwater for 5 months at a time (Cape Cod, so not too far from you). No issues when it comes out

Since you are removing old paint (it sounds like) you will want/need a barrier coat of "Interlux Interprotect 2000E" (2 coats) which will provide a good barrier and base for the antifouling paint. Your total cost for the barrier coat and anti-fouling paint is going to be $400 ish, plus what ever material and supplies it cost for the old paint removal.

In terms of cost, just remember you are the one that wanted a boat.

 

[Ned L]

Is it relevant ?

Ok,.... I had suggested checking out the "Totalboat" line of paints (they have some that look like they meet your needs and budget.). They aren't carried by the sponsor here so I don't know if I should be mentioning it.

 

[Chris1956]

Stick with a ablative antifouling paint. Get the multi-season store brand, as it will be made by Pettit or Interlux and will be a bit cheaper. If you do end up stripping the hull down to gelcoat (big job - BTW), roll on some epoxy barrier coat (at least 3 coats or as recommended) to protect against water infiltration, and then 2 coats of A-F paint.

You might get 2 coats out of a gallon of A-F paint, but it will be close. When you pull her out next fall, scrape her before the barnacles have a chance to dry.

 

[BigDog98]

Dog98 -

'Best', 'saltwater' and 'inexpensive' don't go together.

The best antifouling paint that I have used in the whole world is ePaint EP-2000. Not too many places sell it, but it can be bought from "SMS Distributos". It will run you about $225/gallon, there is no such thing as a good anti-fouling paint for $100/gallon. I think even the bad ones cost more than that. I leave my boat in saltwater for 5 months at a time (Cape Cod, so not too far from you). No issues when it comes out

Since you are removing old paint (it sounds like) you will want/need a barrier coat of "Interlux Interprotect 2000E" (2 coats) which will provide a good barrier and base for the antifouling paint. Your total cost for the barrier coat and anti-fouling paint is going to be $400 ish, plus what ever material and supplies it cost for the old paint removal.

In terms of cost, just remember you are the one that wanted a boat.

Does it matter what base coat color it is? The site i was looking at has a gallon for 95 bucks but they have gray or white , and some are the 2002G and 2002Q. Don't really understand the difference.

 

[tpenfield]

the color does not really matter, but the boat yards like to paint the barrier coat a different color than the AF paint so they can tell if they are getting good covering. I just go with the white on base and anti-fouling.

 

[BigDog98]

the color does not really matter, but the boat yards like to paint the barrier coat a different color than the AF paint so they can tell if they are getting good covering. I just go with the white on base and anti-fouling.

Does it matter if it is the 2000Q or 2000G instead of the 2000E ?

 

[tpenfield]

G = Gallon Kit
Q = Quart Kit
E = 2.25 Gallon Kit

 

[BigDog98]

G = Gallon Kit
Q = Quart Kit
E = 2.25 Gallon Kit

ohh , that makes sense , lol. I think a gallon should be good for 2 coats for a 27 foot boat.

 

[BigDog98]

the color does not really matter, but the boat yards like to paint the barrier coat a different color than the AF paint so they can tell if they are getting good covering. I just go with the white on base and anti-fouling.

When choosing , it gives me a option to choose from 1kt or 2kt or more , which do i go with? i don't really understand what that is.

 

[BigDog98]

I was looking into getting the Interlux Micron CSC Antifouling paint , what are your inputs on that?

 

[Chris1956]

Micron CSC is a good paint. I would think there are cheaper alternatives, like the store brand multi-season ablative. Normally I would choose the paint with the most copper, but lately the paints have contained less copper and a new slime resistant additive. I am not sure how to rate those.