[MooGroc]

I'm a cruiser in the northeast. I've taken my bottom down to the barrier coat so I'm starting with a clean slate. I'm interested in trying copper free paint. I'm not a racer and will have it diver cleaned a couple of times.

Anyone have any recommendations? I've read a few bad things about Pettit Ultima Eco but still have an open mind.

 

[DjMateo]

I bough some Interlux Micron CF a few months ago but have yet to apply it. I've read good reviews about it and liked that it has both Econea and Biolux with no metals including zinc which i think is what's in most other copper free formulas. Something to look in to at least.

 

[westsailpatti]

Is your marina forcing you to paint without copper ? Mine isn't but I'm waiting for it . Just to the north of us(marina Del Rey) they want to force all the boaters to use it, and dredge the harbor. And those people will not be allowed to remove old paint and will be charged a hazmat fee for the favor . I'm all for being kind to the environment , but there are a few , actually one city counsel member that seems to be able to call the shots. If the paint mfgs'. could come up with a decent alt. I would use it . But I especially don't want to be told I can't work on my boat .

 

[Dog8It]

I have used Interlux Pacifica Plus for the last few years. Fairly happy with the result. Went 2+ years. Last winter boat stayed in the water. During sailing season, the diver would come out twice a season: late May and then late September. Hauled out this winter and found a pretty clean bottom. From May to October, I sail at least 3 weekends a month. Regular use of the boat certainly helps.

 

[blt2ski]

IIRC it is biolux, that was sold to BASF, they did not renew the license to use that product in bottom paint. So we are down one biocide etc that can work when one is not able to use copper as we are here in Wa st by 2020. It may get relicensed sooner than later.......then again who knows.

In colder waters, the lower copper with some of the biocides in the paint work well. I've been using a west marine PCA which is equal to Petits SR40 with decent results here in Puget Sound. A bit better than the micron I had with out biocides. BUT< the biocide in this paint is the one that has been discontinued.

Marty

 

[MarkSF]

Is your marina forcing you to paint without copper ? Mine isn't but I'm waiting for it . Just to the north of us(marina Del Rey) they want to force all the boaters to use it, and dredge the harbor. And those people will not be allowed to remove old paint and will be charged a hazmat fee for the favor . I'm all for being kind to the environment , but there are a few , actually one city counsel member that seems to be able to call the shots. If the paint mfgs'. could come up with a decent alt. I would use it . But I especially don't want to be told I can't work on my boat .

Here's how it works :

There are EPA-mandated water quality standards. The state is legally obliged to do what it can to meet them. Normally they will take the approach that requires the minimum infrastructure cost. Unfortunately this frequently means the maximum cost and inconvenience to individuals.

 

[foggysail]

I'm a cruiser in the northeast. I've taken my bottom down to the barrier coat so I'm starting with a clean slate. I'm interested in trying copper free paint. I'm not a racer and will have it diver cleaned a couple of times.

Anyone have any recommendations? I've read a few bad things about Pettit Ultima Eco but still have an open mind.

Yeah! Tin based if you can get it!

 

[MooGroc]

So one vote for Interlux Pacifica Plus, but no other reports?

I guess these products are still too new to have much of a track record.

I'll probably pick one and just be a guinea pig...

 

[newhaul]

Was wondering if anybody has used pettit Neptune 5 yet with water cleanup and 50 state epa compliance and the cost is real good

 

[ambianceack]

I used the petit hydrocoat, ablative last summer and it worked fine. We keep the boat on a mooring in nantucket harbor may thru September, we are cruisers. minimal growth. A little touch up this spring then back in the water

 

[Minnewaska]

We use Pettit Vivid, because it's compatible with their Vivid Free, in the event RI ends up requiring eco-paints. We're pleased with the performance of the hybrid Vivid paint. Your experience might work the other way around. If Vivid Free just doesn't work and you want to go back, you could, with a heavy sanding.

 

[RocketScience]

ePaint.

I used it on my aluminum saildrive, and is holding up very well after three years. Expensive stuff though, and is absolutely horrid to apply (it goes on like peanut butter and flows out like school glue). It rated "Excellent" in Practical Sailor's 2010 6-month Florida waters test.

 

[Minnewaska]

ePaint.

I used it on my aluminum saildrive, and is holding up very well after three years. Expensive stuff though, and is absolutely horrid to apply (it goes on like peanut butter and flows out like school glue). It rated "Excellent" in Practical Sailor's 2010 6-month Florida waters test.

You're in Seattle, that study was done in FL and the OP is on the NY/NJ boarder. Location makes a huge difference in bottom paint effectiveness.

For what it's worth, the one guy I know that used an eco-paint, had it all stripped off and went back to heavy metal. It just didn't last. It worked okay, at best. When he hauled, after 7 months in the water, you could see large patches where the paint was nearly gone.

 

[MooGroc]

You're in Seattle, that study was done in FL and the OP is on the NY/NJ boarder. Location makes a huge difference in bottom paint effectiveness.

I still think it's very useful to hear about other peoples results - even if it is in a different area. It's not like there are so many responses coming from my area.

 

[Fstbttms]

Is your marina forcing you to paint without copper ? Mine isn't but I'm waiting for it . Just to the north of us(marina Del Rey) they want to force all the boaters to use it, and dredge the harbor. And those people will not be allowed to remove old paint and will be charged a hazmat fee for the favor . I'm all for being kind to the environment , but there are a few , actually one city counsel member that seems to be able to call the shots. If the paint mfgs'. could come up with a decent alt. I would use it . But I especially don't want to be told I can't work on my boat .

Just to set the record straight- No marina in California has, or is, mandating the use of copper-free anti fouling paints. In the case of Marina del Rey (the management of which are opposed to a copper ban), this is coming down from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, who are tasked by the State Water Resources Control Board to maintain the federal water quality standards in the L.A area. The City Council (or any member thereof) is not a player in this issue and certainly are not "calling the shots."

Regarding the removal of copper-based anti fouling paint, this is done all the time in boatyards. There is no reason to think that anything about that procedure would change (cost, ability or not to DIY etc.) in the event of a copper ban in MdR. And if it did, that would be an issue you'd take up with the yard in question. It would not be part of any regulation handed down by the RWQCB.

 

[RocketScience]

You're in Seattle, that study was done in FL and the OP is on the NY/NJ boarder. Location makes a huge difference in bottom paint effectiveness.

Agreed. The waters here in the PNW are fairly benign to fouling. I used it on my metallic running gear because it was a non-metallic containing coating which was highly rated.

For what it's worth, the one guy I know that used an eco-paint, had it all stripped off and went back to heavy metal. It just didn't last. It worked okay, at best. When he hauled, after 7 months in the water, you could see large patches where the paint was nearly gone.

Was it ePaint brand specifically? With all do respect to the guy you know, I'll take the comprehensive testing of Practical Sailor over an isolated case where user error, poor application, etc. could have played a role. Just giving the OP alternatives, that's all.

 

[Minnewaska]

......I'll take the comprehensive testing of Practical Sailor over an isolated case where user error, poor application, etc. could have played a role.....

Not with this guy. He's the most obsessive compulsive sailor on earth. Everything perfect. I will ask what he used.

As for Practical Sailor, I do not share your dedication. More than once, I have chosen a product they vetted to be superior and disliked it. I'm currently waiting for my jib sheets to wear out, so I can replace them!

In the end, bottom paint is highly dependent on location, as well as the sun and temperature fluctuations of that location. No test or reference, in any one location or condition, is really all that reliable. I would accept a reference from someone in my marina. Outside that, not so much.

 

[UnionPacific]

An idea here, take off the label and write something else on the lid.
Pick a copper free paint name and use a sharpie. Tell them its from a 50 gallon drum your friend has. Problem solved, and you will have a paint that works.

 

[RocketScience]

....No test or reference, in any one location or condition, is really all that reliable. I would accept a reference from someone in my marina. Outside that, not so much.

It's unfortunate your jib sheets did not live up to Practical Sailor's review, but like all things (and this includes their testing of ePaint) YMMV.

I do not dismiss anecdotal evidence, especially when combined with a consensus, but in the end, data usually trumps.

 

[Fstbttms]

I find the PS anti fouling paint reviews to be worth the paper they're printed on, generally.