Yup I know there are several threads here on hull paint but I just have a quick question (if there is such a thing). I have owned many boats and have washed many hulls and fx everythingthing myself. On the new 165 I just picked up I am not afraid of improving or fixing anything but when it comes to "What should I do if anything to the hull" that is a differeht story. This will be fresh water (Great Lakes) only so I am assuming it makes a difference from being in barnacle land in the ocean. The previous owner did apply a few coat to it last year and he stated the owner before him applied several coats of something (forgot the word used--starts wil A and I looked high and low for it on Google but can't find it). I have attached a few photos of it and one of the ballast which need touching up. Do you suggest I sand it all down and redo it or just go for it since it's my first sailboat, the boat is small, fresh water only and speed just isn;t my main concern?
Hull paint
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Are you going to keep it in the water? I know you might have said this in another thread and I missed it.
I'd probably sand out the crack along the foot, and seal it with watertite epoxy...
Interlux Watertite Epoxy Filler
AS for the anti-fouling? perhaps... was it Interlux "ACT" might be overkill for a trailer sailor. I can't tell from the pictures, but you sure there is paint on there? It's not gelcoat? I know there are white bottom paints and all but they are less common... usually they are red, black, copper, or blue... but of course there is every color of the rainbow. Actually at first glance it looks like just a barrier coat.
I WILL say that if you are going to sand it, off and start over, you are in for a world of work. All of these bottom paints are toxic as all be it... and require a decent respirator, goggles, and suit. Plus not everyone is happy having all those toxins (as dust) laying around. Can't really tell other than the foot of the keel, but the bottom looks OK, and if you can figure out what was on it before, after you patch that crack, I'd put whatever was on it before back on it... to save yourself some time/money, and avoid risking your health with a lot of sanding.
I'd probably sand out the crack along the foot, and seal it with watertite epoxy...
Interlux Watertite Epoxy Filler
AS for the anti-fouling? perhaps... was it Interlux "ACT" might be overkill for a trailer sailor. I can't tell from the pictures, but you sure there is paint on there? It's not gelcoat? I know there are white bottom paints and all but they are less common... usually they are red, black, copper, or blue... but of course there is every color of the rainbow. Actually at first glance it looks like just a barrier coat.
I WILL say that if you are going to sand it, off and start over, you are in for a world of work. All of these bottom paints are toxic as all be it... and require a decent respirator, goggles, and suit. Plus not everyone is happy having all those toxins (as dust) laying around. Can't really tell other than the foot of the keel, but the bottom looks OK, and if you can figure out what was on it before, after you patch that crack, I'd put whatever was on it before back on it... to save yourself some time/money, and avoid risking your health with a lot of sanding.
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If you follow your plan and end up in a slip, you're no longer a "trailer sailor", so you're in the same position as the rest of us here in Michigan who slip their boats.
Oh...and by the way, "bottom" is more appropriate than "hull". Yeah...nit picker, but "hull" also includes the topsides, which plenty of people paint, too.
Anyway, the leading bottom coating by far in Michigan is Interlux VC17 or one of the equivalents from West, etc..
Pros: It's a snap to apply. It goes on very thin, so you don't get a lot of buildup. It's a fast bottom. Once applied, when you reapply it next Spring (or if you use it for two seasons), it requires very little prep. Plenty of info out there on the net about how to apply it.
Cons: It's a little pricey. But you're only going to use one can, and might even have a little left over for next time.
Yes, you would have to remove the paint that's on the bottom now. Some paints may be compatible for over-coating with VC17, but even so, you're going to want to get rid of 95 percent of the old coating to create a nice, smooth base for the VC17. It's not that bad a job. If I was doing your boat, I'd remove it with the a fiberglass compatible chemical strip. Messy, yeah. Then I'd sand it (wet). Probably with nothing more aggressive than 400 grit. Obviously, you want to remove paint without removing gelcoat. You could use 800 after that if you want. Then, on goes the VC17. Done.
Alternative: You could put on a barrier coat of your choosing before applying the VC17. Your call.
PS
I'm sailing a Catalina 28 currently, with a VC17 bottom. I find that it's so easy to prep and apply that I do it EVERY Spring. I carefully tape the waterline, scrub the bottom with a Scotch Pad, rinse, let dry or towel it if I'm in a hurry, and apply a THIN coat of VC17. I never get any buildup, and the zebra mussels and the algae leave me alone. And the bottom is smooth and beautiful!
Okay, one more thing. To do the job, ideally, you're going to want to raise your boat off the trailer. More than one way to do that, but if you're ever interested I can tell you how I used to raise my Precision 23 off it's trailer so I could get everywhere including the swing keel.
Oh...and by the way, "bottom" is more appropriate than "hull". Yeah...nit picker, but "hull" also includes the topsides, which plenty of people paint, too.
Anyway, the leading bottom coating by far in Michigan is Interlux VC17 or one of the equivalents from West, etc..
Pros: It's a snap to apply. It goes on very thin, so you don't get a lot of buildup. It's a fast bottom. Once applied, when you reapply it next Spring (or if you use it for two seasons), it requires very little prep. Plenty of info out there on the net about how to apply it.
Cons: It's a little pricey. But you're only going to use one can, and might even have a little left over for next time.
Yes, you would have to remove the paint that's on the bottom now. Some paints may be compatible for over-coating with VC17, but even so, you're going to want to get rid of 95 percent of the old coating to create a nice, smooth base for the VC17. It's not that bad a job. If I was doing your boat, I'd remove it with the a fiberglass compatible chemical strip. Messy, yeah. Then I'd sand it (wet). Probably with nothing more aggressive than 400 grit. Obviously, you want to remove paint without removing gelcoat. You could use 800 after that if you want. Then, on goes the VC17. Done.
Alternative: You could put on a barrier coat of your choosing before applying the VC17. Your call.
PS
I'm sailing a Catalina 28 currently, with a VC17 bottom. I find that it's so easy to prep and apply that I do it EVERY Spring. I carefully tape the waterline, scrub the bottom with a Scotch Pad, rinse, let dry or towel it if I'm in a hurry, and apply a THIN coat of VC17. I never get any buildup, and the zebra mussels and the algae leave me alone. And the bottom is smooth and beautiful!
Okay, one more thing. To do the job, ideally, you're going to want to raise your boat off the trailer. More than one way to do that, but if you're ever interested I can tell you how I used to raise my Precision 23 off it's trailer so I could get everywhere including the swing keel.
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Well, yeah, the boat in the picture has no paint, just shiny gelcoat. That's something you're not going to see on your boat.
Here's a link to the Precision 23 I'm selling. The bottom is VC17 with one season of use. There's your boat's future if you go the VC17 route.
2004 Precision 23 sailboat for sale in Michigan
Here's a link to the Precision 23 I'm selling. The bottom is VC17 with one season of use. There's your boat's future if you go the VC17 route.
2004 Precision 23 sailboat for sale in Michigan
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As I bought it...
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After scraping, and sanding..
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Barrier Coat
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Bottom done, and topsides painted.
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Oh and I agree, VC17m is the perfect choice for freshwater (is what I use as well). If you do decide to sand it off.. make sure to hit it up with a barrier coat first. Consider doing the job correctly (as was described above) though if you are putting in a slip for the season.
After scraping, and sanding..
Barrier Coat
Bottom done, and topsides painted.
Oh and I agree, VC17m is the perfect choice for freshwater (is what I use as well). If you do decide to sand it off.. make sure to hit it up with a barrier coat first. Consider doing the job correctly (as was described above) though if you are putting in a slip for the season.
The previous owners remarks when asked what he used on the bottom ws this: I can't remember all the specifics, but it was a Pettit vivid ablative.
It really does look rather nice and I am leaning on just leaving it this way for this summer while I learn to sail and redo the bottom next year. Of course I would touch up the ballast in the one area but that might be it.
It really does look rather nice and I am leaning on just leaving it this way for this summer while I learn to sail and redo the bottom next year. Of course I would touch up the ballast in the one area but that might be it.
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OK that's easy then. Paint it again.. same stuff, and done. I'd still patch that keel foot joint though.
Pettit Vivid Antifouling Paint
Pettit Vivid Antifouling Paint
All you guys are awesome. If that's what I should do that's what I will do. Now to just figure out how to raise it without buying jacks just to paint it.
So maybe just sand the bottom a tad and then apply a coat of this???
I guess I would be tempted to change the bottom color to either white or black.
No knowing how this spreads, do you think a gallon is enough for my 165? I am assuming a roller is used???
So maybe just sand the bottom a tad and then apply a coat of this???
I guess I would be tempted to change the bottom color to either white or black.
No knowing how this spreads, do you think a gallon is enough for my 165? I am assuming a roller is used???
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