When is it time to paint the bottom again?

[Lidgard29]

I have 3 coats of black ablative anitfouling paint on the bottom of my sailboat that's sitting in the warm salt water here in Honolulu. Under the black layer is a red warning layer and then the white gelcoat. It's been 18 months from the time it was last hauled out and painted.

I now have 3 to 5 small areas (the biggest about 6 inches in diameter) where the black paint has somewhat worn through and the white gelcoat is starting to show.

When is it time to paint again?
Do most people let it go past this for a while longer or is it time to haul out?

[casey1999]

I am at Haleiwa (Oahu) and what I hear is here in Hawaii most people go 3 years between bottom paint. I will try to take care of the bottom and see if I can get another year or two more. I did mine (also with black) about a year ago and what I have found is I need to dive and clean bottom (with a piece of carpet) about every 4 months to keep the growth off. I did not put anything on my prop or shaft and I get a lot of barnacles in 4 months time. next time I will put somthing on the metals (barnacle buster spray coating). I also put on three coats and have no areas where the paint has worn through- I am surprised yours has.

[JiffyLube]

From what I understand 2 to 3 years is about the max for most bottom paints, before it takes much more frequent cleaning. Once the paint nears its life expectancy, cleaning once every 3 to 4 weeks (depending on water temp) will extend the time before you'll need to repaint again. I also think that ablatives do not work as well as hard paints in cooler water, and ablatives work better in warmer water especially if the boat is being used.

[Minnewaska]

If it's worn through the red signal coat to the white hull, I would think there would be many more places with the signal coat showing. To me anyway, that would the be the time to haul and add paint.

[Lidgard29]

The guy who does my bottom cleaning emailed me this:

"Usually the white patches are the areas the jack stands were when the boat was painted, so fewer coats there. This is expected, along with the waterline which gets more sun. I would think at least 6 mos to a year for the next haulout."

Anyone care to comment?

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Lidgard29

The guy who does my bottom cleaning emailed me this:

"Usually the white patches are the areas the jack stands were when the boat was painted, so fewer coats there. This is expected, along with the waterline which gets more sun. I would think at least 6 mos to a year for the next haulout."

Anyone care to comment?

Your hull cleaner is the expert. If he says you're good for awhile, take it to the bank.

[SlowButSteady]

Two to two-and-a-half years on an ablative bottom paint doesn't sound bad. Besides, you're living in Hawaii... what's there to worry about?