[R33]

I made this switch several years ago, and fwiw I''m not so sure I would do it again. Removing the ablative paint is labor intensive, and took the better part of two weeks on my 33 ft boat, despite the fact that the paint is relatively "soft". There is also the matter of disposing of the of the clean-up. The truth is I sprayed the rudder with a new Petit ablative this year, and if it is OK when I haul the boat, I may go back to ablative paint next season. VC Offshore provides a slick finish when sprayed , and burnished(for hours), however it also requires cleaning the bottom each week or so, at least in my area, to remain sharp. There is the matter of paint build up with non- ablative paints as the paint remains on the hull after the toxic agents are gone. The bottom of our boat is so sharp as to shine and provide a reflection, very impressive but probably no faster than any well applied ablative paint in above drifting conditions. The ablatives imho provide better antifouling, and in general are much easier all around.If the hull is fair, and the paint is properly applied I dont think the switch is worth the drawbacks. Lots of winning boats use ablative paints.