Great Lakes Bottom Paint?

[1970Columbia34]

We sail in fresh water and our boat has Interlux Vc17 on it now, and as the sales person should at a show, the Petit rep said we should switch to Petit Vivid. What are people in fresh water using and should I stick with the VC17 or go to something else.

He also said that I could just sand with 80 grit and paint on the vivid but, it has a 20 hr dry time before recoating or putting in the water, where are VC17 you can paint the spots where the pads are as its in the slings and right after put the boat in.

Thanks.

[sailortjk1]

Have you had good results from the VC-17?
Why do you want to switch?
Because the salesman said it was better?
VC-17 is one of the most popular bottom paints for this region.
It works well for us, easy to aplly and reapply, but a little costly.

I tend to stick with what works for me.

[T34C]

VC17 works great for me as well. I would want a real good reason before I did any more sanding of bottom paint.

[Valiente]

Racers use the Interlux Micron range at my club, but we civilians overwhelmingly opt for the VC-17 or 17M.

I am aware, however, that this product isn't so great in salt water and is a disappointment with Florida and farther south critters. Practical Sailor reviews all bottom paints pretty throughly every two or three years if you tire of the VC-17. Its prime value to GL sailors is that you can slap it on with the boat in the slings.

[1970Columbia34]

I have no history with the VC17 so I wanted to ask here first, but sounds like its good stuff and we should stick with it. Does it need to be re-applied every year and how many qts or gallons do I need for a 34' boat.

[Sailormann]

'bout 6 gallons if you mess like I do

[rhessenius]

Columbia- Yes, you need to reapply yearly. It should take about 4 cans/quarts to do your 34'. Put more coats on the leading edge of the keel and rudder and bow. Tricky stuff to work with at first, but you will get the hang of it. VC dries extremly quick. Rob

[Gary M]

You should get by with 2-3 quarts. One of the big advantages to VC17 is that it goes on so thin that you do not get a heavy build up over the years.

It results in a very smooth bottom, I race and that is what I use. I will go over it lightly with some fine wet sandpaper and rub it down thoughout the season to get the slime off. It seems to work pretty well in the Great Lakes.

Gary

[Valiente]

Originally Posted by 1970Columbia34

I have no history with the VC17 so I wanted to ask here first, but sounds like its good stuff and we should stick with it. Does it need to be re-applied every year and how many qts or gallons do I need for a 34' boat.

That depends on local conditions and your usage. It's an ablative paint, so racers or distance cruisers will wear it off faster. Also, if you bother to swab down the sunny side at dock more than once a season, you can get the slime off and stretch it to two seasons...again, not if you're a racer, I guess.

My 33' foot fin keeler took exactly two and one-quarter quart cans (or what looks like a quart can!) so I usually give ten bucks to a guy with a boat that takes two and three quarter cans! Concentrate on the leading edges and the rudder...the bottom of the fin doesn't get so much light. Also consider if you have a dock which way the boat gets the most light. My new boat in bow north and starboard to the morning sun, port to the dock's shadow, and the fouling is significantly different, as in swipe clean on port and reapply on starboard and aft.

[tigerregis]

Work with the roller tray in a plastic bag. Great paint, but will flash off fast. I have even seen friends work in tandem, one on the roller and one protecting the paint. On a 26' I used one can with stem and W/L doubled. We all used 4" foam rollers.