Bottom paint help

[Bygracealone]

Originally Posted by garagenc

I have one boat I keep in the water all summer and I have brackish water here also. I run the boat every couple of weeks and then once every 2-3 months I clean the hull (in the water) with toilet bowl cleaner (any cheap one will do). Just don't get it on any stickers because it will remove the shine from the stickers. I had a buddy that had a SEAPRO and he called them to ask what to clean the hull with and they recommended Toilet bowl cleaner.

It does a really good job, I've been using it for 5 years now. I use it on a aluminum boat I have also.

Garage, what do you mean when you say you clean the boat with toilet cleaner while in the water? I can't picture this...

[rambilt]

Originally Posted by rb437

Ok so here's the deal. I have a choice between another season of sharing a boat ramp with a bunch of inexperienced, inconsiderate neighbors or I can rent a slip within walking distance from my home for $210.00 for the season. If I use the slip I need to paint the bottom. The bottom has never been painted before. I know some of you will cringe at the idea that I'm considering painting the boat, but that's what I'm considering. My questions are how should I paint a previously unpainted boat (sanding, priming?), and what kind of paint to use. I've done a little research but am a little confused by all the different kinds of paint. The boat would be in the brackish water of the mid Chesapeake Bay and be used weekly or at least 2-3 times per month. Winters will still be on the trailer. What do you guys think?

Happy Easter

Sorry for my ignorance, but why do you have to have the bottom of your boat painted to use a slip? I'm in the market for a boat and I normally shy away from the bottom painted boat even though it looks nice and priced right. Could someone please explain. Thanks.

[spareparts]

if you are in salt or brackish, the growth on the bottom of your boat has to be controlled by bottom paint( has biocides adn is ablative for the growth to fall off). Fresh water isn't as bad, but it still grow on it if left alone long enough. Down here, in the summer time, even with good paint, the divers clean the hulls every three weeks to keep a boat ready for use, go one or two weeks too long, and it won't even get on plane.

[rb437]

One more question, how much paint do I need to paint the bottom?

[bcmarinamanager]

I only use about a quart and a half. It might take two full quarts for a clean bottom. The 1 & 1/2 quarts gets two good coats on mine.

[garagenc]

Originally Posted by Bygracealone

Garage, what do you mean when you say you clean the boat with toilet cleaner while in the water? I can't picture this...

I wet a sponge with it and crawl around the boat wiping the hull, I put on my snorkel and clean the bottom. With the sponge dipped in bucket or squirt it on the sponge the water the boat sits in won't dilute it enought to not make it work.

I usually do it at the place we get out and swim in (shallow water).

[whale]

Personally, my boat would not get used half as much as I did last year if I did not have a slip. For that price you should consider yourself extremely fortunate to have the opportunity....and that close to your home....consider yourself blessed! Mine is $950 and that is due to the bridge restriction that I go under for one.....most in my area are $1800 and up....

I bought a gallon of paint last year and will have enough to do it twice.

[spareparts]

around here it usually 12 per foot, per month on an anual contract, with a 30 ft minimum

[bcmarinamanager]

At my marina it's $17/ft/month. A 22' slip (the size needed for a 20' boat) is $374 a month, but we require a year lease which equals $4,488 for the year. You are very fortunate.

[rb437]

Originally Posted by bcmarinamanager

At my marina it's $17/ft/month. A 22' slip (the size needed for a 20' boat) is $374 a month, but we require a year lease which equals $4,488 for the year. You are very fortunate.

Don't I know it! Slip around here are similarly priced. Local marinas here would get about $2000 for a boatel and about $1200 for trailer storage with the use of a ramp. $210.00 a year is like free to me. I couldn't buy a slip for that.

I think this is the paint I'm going to try, in a week it will be on sale for $159.00.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...9&classNum=229