Bottom Paint Color. Does it matter?

[Lepke]

The color matters to the fish. When tuna fishing between bites, we drifted. Small fish, prey to tuna would congregate under the boats. Some bottom colors seem to attract and others repel bait fish. Or it's the contrast and the tuna from below can see the small fish against some hulls better. Red seemed to be best. In the early morning or late afternoon, if we had been drifting, the tuna come back up from the depths (to get away from the bright mid day sun) and feed on the gathered small fish. Often I could pole fish aboard w/o any other action or movement.

[fstbttms]

In my experience, any difference in anti fouling paint performance between various colors is too marginal to be concerned about.

Originally Posted by Whisper Cappy

I owned a bottom cleaning company in Florida for 30 years. Cleaned 300,000 boats underwater by many divers.

Whisper Cappy, come join 1500+ fellow hull divers-

https://www.facebook.com/groups/105878193417892/

[David M]

Only additive that I know that works is TBT which you can still get in some third world boatyards and a few other places if you are sneaky about it. I am not promoting it so don't shoot the messenger, please.

[drivn2ironman]

Originally Posted by StuM

Orange/Yellow for multihulls. Doesn't make any difference for monohulls

Thinking about spending some time upside down?

[DHHerndon]

Red is the most common color because it is the natural color of copper oxide, the primary component of the better anti-fouling paints. Vary high copper content anti-fouling paints are almost always red.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by DHHerndon

Red is the most common color because it is the natural color of copper oxide, the primary component of the better anti-fouling paints. Vary high copper content anti-fouling paints are almost always red.

Red is not the most commonly used color. But when it comes to copper influencing anti fouling paint color, you are correct; it does. That is why you won't find a 70% copper paint in white. But all high copper paints come in a variety of dark colors, not just red.

[David Mathis]

After many years and many boats, it appears that the color of the paint has little or no effect on the ability to repel the marine life that attaches to the bottom. Every other year the boat gets two coats on the waterline and one on the rest of the bottom. My 43' express cruiser uses Petit Vivid white. It cleans easy with a sponge once a month.

[jimisbell]

the best color for me is "cheapest". I currently have a palate ( 100@ 1 gallon cans 4 to a box) of white e-paint that I got really REALLY cheap. Should take care of me for the rest of my life.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by jimisbell

the best color for me is "cheapest". I currently have a palate ( 100@ 1 gallon cans 4 to a box) of white e-paint that I got really REALLY cheap. Should take care of me for the rest of my life.

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard about somebody scoring a bunch of e-Paint for cheap...

[lateral]

Originally Posted by David M

Only additive that I know that works is TBT which you can still get in some third world boatyards and a few other places if you are sneaky about it. I am not promoting it so don't shoot the messenger, please.

By informing the uninformed you are promoting it.
Sorry.....bang!

[jimisbell]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard about somebody scoring a bunch of e-Paint for cheap...

What are you implying?

[john007]

The clean boat after a circumnavigation is probably because the boat was on the move, not sitting in a marina. Shallow water and more heat.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by jimisbell

What are you implying?

Nothing beyond wondering why that crap is being given away.

[ikebartlett]

Bottom paint type depends on where you are sailing, but I always change color each bottom job unless I'm doing it myself, a thin coat will cover anything that's the same color, color change requires 2 or more coats.

[jimisbell]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Nothing beyond wondering why that crap is being given away.

Dont know why you call it "crap" because I, on the south coast of Texas where its warm shallow water, get 5 years out of a bottom job. I get very few barnacles and no grass. The photo ablative properties of the paint keep the waterline squeaky clean and a semiannual dive to knock off the occasional barnacle on the prop and check the zincs is all it takes.