Number of Bottom Paint Coats

[wrwakefield]

We haul every 4-5 years, and have a diver inspect, then clean prop, change anodes, etc. as needed annually. The hull never needs cleaning until we reach end-of-life for the ablative paint.

Using Pettit Hydrocoat [diluted ~10% with distilled water- per spec] we roll 3 thin coats [using a 3/16" thin nap roller per specs] onto the hull, and add another 2-3 coats at the waterline and leading edges [skeg, keel, bow] basically until we run out of paint. [Unless we just opened a new gallon...]

Like most who use ablative paint users, we use a different color paint for each new bottom job.

You didn't ask, but somewhat related is prop antifouling: We also coat our 3 blade, 22 inch prop with Pettit Prop Coat [93% zinc] each bottom job. We typically motor 300-600+ hours annually. The Prop Coat lasts us 3+ years [We meticulously follow the application instructions.] Zero hard growth. [Barnacles are so bad in our marinas that many of the commercial fishing boats can't even leave their slips (prop won't generate thrust) after sitting 3 months during the off season due to barnacle growth.]

I didn't vote because our approach doesn't match any of the voting constraints.

In case this is helpful.

Cheers! Bill

[Emouchet]

I put 1 coat every year, plus one more around the water line. Ablative Aquaguard paint.

Haul out every year, 6 month out of the water, 6 month in.

[sailcrazy]

We haul every year, and leave her on the hard for the summer 6 months while we go home to a MN lake home. The hull has a very good chance to dry out, and based on what we see after some light sanding, we reapply either 1, or most generally 2 coats plus a 3rd on the waterline. We change colors every year, so when I dive on it or inspect after the season it's easy to spot the worn spots-they are a diff color.

[SkipMark]

We're in the 6-months-in and 6-months-out group, and find that 1 new coat every year is sufficient overall. This is the Aegean, so less intense growth than in more tropical regions. 1 coat is not a choice on the poll, so we took a pass there.

[sailorchic34]

2.5 coats for me. That is coats and a third coat for the first two feet from the water line which is the high wear area. Next year I'll be hauling out Ten Years After my last haul out. Mainly due to a lack of funds before. I've been mostly in freshwater for the last 4 years.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

There’s a poll?

Don’t see it on my pocket sized multifunction glass encased time suck box!!!

Polls dont show up on mobile app.

[Maka]

I'm going on 3 years on two coats.
Gonna haul out and paint sometime this winter. More concerned with cathodic protection.

Not seeing a lot of growth though.
I'm in the Columbia River now...so all fresh water.

[chris95040]

One single coat ablative per annual haulout. (new england)

[Tayana42]

sailorboy1, I responded in the poll that I use 2+ coats. But I use Pettit Trinidad which is a modified hard epoxy paint. It lasts 3 years in Southern California and Northern Mexico. I also have a diver scrub the bottom monthly.

[thinwater]

The bow seems to be the only high wear area for me.



Extra coats are just asking for build up and flaking off.

[sailorboy1]

The point of the thread really is whether there's a danger/downside of putting more coats of ablative paint on for a full time cruise. With the cost of a haul out with yard storage days being $450-600, does it make more sense to use an extra gallon of $300 paint to extend time between haulouts.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

The point of the thread really is whether there's a danger/downside of putting more coats of ablative paint on for a full time cruise. With the cost of a haul out with yard storage days being $450-600, does it make more sense to use an extra gallon of $300 paint to extend time between haulouts.

And the downside is loss of adhesion and more frequent stripping.


A compromise.


What we need to do is get someone to evaluate how much longer 1 vs. 2 vs. 3 coats lasts. I'm on it.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by thinwater

And the downside is loss of adhesion and more frequent stripping.


A compromise.


What we need to do is get someone to evaluate how much longer 1 vs. 2 vs. 3 coats lasts. I'm on it.

I’m hoping we’ve got 3-5 years for results[emoji106]

[Dr. D]

Hard paint here...two coats.....

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by thinwater

And the downside is loss of adhesion and more frequent stripping.


A compromise.


What we need to do is get someone to evaluate how much longer 1 vs. 2 vs. 3 coats lasts. I'm on it.

Yes the number of coats that can remain adhered is the question. Using ablative paint the stripping isn't.

And yes how long the number of coats lasts in real life is the question. Practical Sailor tests don't reflect real boating life as the panels just sit, never move, and aren't cleaned. In real life people (at least me) have had to have the bottom cleaned once in a while.