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canmac,

Some facts re; VC-17, should you decide to use it or remove it:
1) That stuff (in fact all copper coatings) are HIGHLY TOXIC. Don't breathe that dust!
2) It will only stick to itself or Interlux barrier coat. You can't just apply it to whatever's there.
3) It is a real good antifoul coating, but Interlux says it should be repainted annually.
It does go on quick & easy, dries in minutes. Drop 'er right in the water.

seahouse wrote: water will move in a direction across a concentration gradient so as so decrease that gradient. That is precisely what happens across the gel coat "membrane". Water migrates from outside the hull, through the gelcoat, and into the polyester matrix to dilute the concentrated solutes formed there.

Technical talk gives me goosebumps!

Thank you, Seahouse. Great reply !!!

My question is, if you trailer sail most of the time, i might spend 2 weeks on the water at a time. I did just bottom coat my 26M with 7 coats of 2000E interlux, do i really need to ad antifouling? or is the bottom coat enough to avoid blisters.

Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water I read here that I probably need to apply an antifouling coat to my boat. I have had the Slu Bug for 4 years it has never been in salt water an is not in the lake for more than 4 months at a time. I am the third owner the previous owner had it or 2-3 years but never had it in the water. Before that the original owner used it only on lake Superior. At least that is the story I was told. Each year before putting it in I power wash the bottom and clean it with an algea remover then cover with a bottom marine type wax or polish not sure of he name I will check. So far bottom looks new and no cracks or blisters. Am I doing something wrong? Let me know. Thanks, capt. Bob.

adrenaud wrote:My question is, if you trailer sail most of the time, i might spend 2 weeks on the water at a time. I did just bottom coat my 26M with 7 coats of 2000E interlux, do i really need to ad antifouling? or is the bottom coat enough to avoid blisters.

The interlux you used is a barrier coat. it will prevent blistering. You do not need to apply an antifouling paint unless you plan on keeping the boat in the water for any length of time. After two weeks in the water depending on where you are, you may find that you will start to see some growth, but it should be easily cleaned. If you see alot of growth, then you should think about antifouling.

Thanks for the reply, my other question is does it make sense to wax the bottom coat for extra protection.

adrenaud wrote:Thanks for the reply, my other question is does it make sense to wax the bottom coat for extra protection.

I would sure not wax the bottom over the barrier coat. I don't think it is going to add protection and if you then decided on putting antifouling or a hull paint over the barrier coat you would not have to worry so much about adhesion. If you use wax and ever plan on painting you need to be sure and use a good wax remover first step.

slugbug wrote:Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water I read here that I probably need to apply an antifouling coat to my boat. I have had the Slu Bug for 4 years it has never been in salt water an is not in the lake for more than 4 months at a time. I am the third owner the previous owner had it or 2-3 years but never had it in the water. Before that the original owner used it only on lake Superior. At least that is the story I was told. Each year before putting it in I power wash the bottom and clean it with an algea remover then cover with a bottom marine type wax or polish not sure of he name I will check. So far bottom looks new and no cracks or blisters. Am I doing something wrong? Let me know. Thanks, capt. Bob.

If I was in your shoes I'd probably stay with what you are doing as it seems to be working fine,

Sum

Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

I used the same type and amount as Summer and I am happy with the result, except that after a week in Florida it does not look as nice when the boat is dry. I also painted all the way to the water line to avoid cleaning the white area between the bottom paint and the water line.

Recommend you check out the magazine Practical Sailor - they do a lot of long term paint (top side and bottom) evaluations.

I finally finished bottom coating my 26M, it took about 40 hours in total. It's a lot of under the boat time. I ended up using 3.5 gallons of Interprotect 2000e, I hope that will be enough to eliminate the blister problem.

I missed this whole Post.
Macgregor uses a Polyester Resin on there Layup and Gelcoat. Polyester Gel coat has very small holes that allow water penitration. A proper layup is VPolyester. The Vinal additive closes out the pores so no water penitration. Cost to do this layup is min. but boat builders choses often to agnored to cut minor cost.
All the Middle to High Grade boats now use the Vinyl Polyester Resin and Gelcoat .
Our boats need a Barier coating to prevent the water saturatining the Gelcoat and Laminate.
The Interlux 2000 with 2 coats as a Barrire coat will do with a 2 coat of Bottom Paint for your area.
Osmosis is a major concern both fresh and Salt Waters.
Dave

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adrenaud wrote:I finally finished bottom coating my 26M, it took about 40 hours in total. It's a lot of under the boat time. I ended up using 3.5 gallons of Interprotect 2000e, I hope that will be enough to eliminate the blister problem.