Bottom Paint

[Matt19020]

I realize I am a little late in the season but I figured I would post my experience. I put my new 07 MacM In a freshwater slip in the Delaware river (Philadelphia area) for 3 weeks with just the factory wax as an experiment. I knew I was going to have to bottom paint eventually, but I was hoping I could do it next season. My plan was to pressure wax it once a month and make it look like new. Mother natures plan was to turn the bottom of my boat into a greenish/brown slime coat that was not easily powerwashed.

What I did:
I used Starbrite hull cleaner and power washer.... that worked really well.
Prepped with Interlux fiberglass surface prep and 3M scrubbing pad
Sanded with 120 grit sandpaper and a palm sander
Washed down with Interlux 202 solvent
Applied 6 coats of Interlux 2000 (3 Gallons)
Applied 2 coats Interlux Microban with biolux (1 Gallon)
Job cost $600.

I will see if my hard work payed off I am hoping to get 2 seasons out of it before recoating with the Interlux Microban

Pictures of jack location are in the Mod Pages

[Catigale]

This is amazing stuff - the variation of the bottom paint experience.

Im in season 6 (trailed some seasons, slipped on the upper Hudson for three years) in fresh water with no bottom treatment and have never had slime that didnt just hose off...maybe its all those GE PCBs....

[beene]

So far, I have been in the water since Mid May, nil slime that can't be removed just by hand and water. I was in the water the other day and just stood beside the boat and wiped the slime off with my hand and some water. I figure I will sponge it off in the coming weeks. Nil bottom paint and will be in the water til Oct. My fingers are crossed. I am expecting to have to do the bottom paint thing, unless I can get away without having to..... don't want to slow the boat down with extra weight. LOL

G

[Catigale]

As long as you keep that slime wet,it comes off easily. If you can get the boat into the shallows, you can even sponge it off before pulling for the season. Even drying in the driveway 20 minutes from the dock, its a lot harder to get stuff off the hull I found (pressure washer did it nicely though)

I did go under once with a sponge which was cool, and I went under once at night, which was not cool....

[beene]

... do I detect a story there Steph?

Spill....



G

[Frank C]

As long as you keep that slime wet,it comes off easily. BUT ... Even drying in the driveway 20 minutes from the dock, its a lot harder to get stuff off the hull ...

Same story, but mine was an even more difficult cleanup. There was only a skim coat of slime & baby critters after 3 weeks in SF Bay. Once it dried out overnight, it's like trying to remove stucco ... Still not done!

[NiceAft]

Since I dock my boat in the same marina as Matt, and since I too have experienced what the Delaware can do to the bottom, I have to tell you that sponging it off just ain't gonna do it. I needed the Slimy Grimy.

I know there are fellows out there in MacGregor world that had problems with it, but I'm not one of them. It worked great, and I just bought two tubs of the granular form from a dealer in Philly who sold it to me for $22 a tub (no tax & no shipping charges).

Right now Nice Aft is sitting in my driveway waiting to go back in the drink on Tue. When I take her out in August for a couple of weeks in Lake George, I will clean her then. I don't want anything from here to get into that incredibly clean and beautiful lake

Ray

[Matt19020]

Well based on what I'm reading my mistake seams to be I let the slime dry out. I have to admit when I powerwashed it I suppose I did not give it an honest attempt. When there was no results I stopped and went to the starbrite.....I guess I have about 25 extra lbs of ballast below the waterline now. This was my first in the slip boat...live and learn....

[James V]

Matt - How long did it take?
Hours and days please.

[Matt19020]

James, it took about 1/2 hour to get the slime off.
3 hours to sand and use the interlux surface prep
1 1/2 hours to tape and wash down with 202
believe it or not it took about 45 minutes to mix the interlux 2000... 20 minutes stirring and then you need to let it set up for about another 25 minutes X 3 gallons
application was about 45 minutes per coat for rolling and clean up

I did all my prep work after work and painted all but second coat of Microban in a weekend
If you are looking for a time line I would say Wed. to Wed. as long as weather cooperates... a lot of work but I am hoping to be done now for 2 seasons...I'll try to post a followup at the end of the season to let you know how it worked...