bottom paint

[sailfish02]

When doing a bottom paint job, have you guys dropped the centerboard out of the trunk or just worked it the hard way and left it in.

[Terry]

I and others here have used Aurora Antifouling Wax.
Does it do a perfect job? NO! But it does make it better / easier to clean in the fall.
Does it work better than just a good car wax? Again I do not know.
I used Mary Kate ( I think that's the name ) to clean my bottom ( the boats bottom...) Dilute it with 3 or 4 gallons of water to a quart of product and it works as well as full strength for a lot less money and who knows how much less environmental damage.
I really don't want to paint (anti foul) the bottom of my boat . Once you do it's got to be done no less than about every two years till you sell the boat.

I have been using the Aurora VS721 Anti fouling wax for a few seasons now and my experience indicates that it does indeed make it easier to clean in the fall. My hull starts out every spring like new but the growth still shows up after several weeks and I redo the process a couple times per season.
I have heard about another product that I am considering applying over top of the Aurora; it is called Boat Armour Easy on Bottom Coating by MarineTex and can be found at Seattle WestMarine. I heard it acts like a temp bottom paint and I figure all I have to lose is a few $$ and some elbow grease so I will give it a shot. I'll let you know after a month in the water.

[Terry]

I sent an e-mail to the company asking:
Boat Armour Easy on Bottom Coat

Just a quick question, I don't use bottom paints but I do apply several layers of wax at the beginning of the season. Does this product apply over wax? The wax helps make it easier to clean but if your product reduces the amount of times I have to haul out and clean each summer season it would be worth it. I sail in the Pacific Northwest so am in salt water.

Cheers,

Their response:
Hi Terry:

You can apply Easy On over your existing wax.

Easy-On Bottom Coating is a clear, non-toxic barrier system. Use as an environmental alternative to antifouling paint.

• Wipes on clear

• Maintains original boat color

• Foul-release makes cleaning easy


Easy-On Bottom Coating is an effective alternative to antifouling paints, and it can be applied over old anti-fouling coatings.

Easy-On provides easy clean-off of algae, zebra mussels and other marine organisms from fiberglass, aluminum and painted hulls, outdrives, trim tabs, transducers, fenders and inflatables.

One thin coat on any fiberglass, aluminum or wooden boat will give total season cleanability in all fresh water and intermittent salt water applications.

Easy-On is available in 15 oz bottles. Contents treat up to a 24-ft boat.

Application: Clean the surfaces to be protected, thoroughly rinse well and allow to dry. Using a clean dry soft cloth (non-abrasive) spread one thin coat over the surfaces. Easy-On will dry in minutes to a soft moveable clear film that is not buffed or polished. (An athletic sock on each hand is a fast method to apply the product.) Allow overnight curing before launching the boat. Easy-On can be applied in any temperature above freezing but, is easier to apply as the weather warms. Clean up with soap and warm water.

Maintenance: It is important to note this is a cleanable barrier system and throughout the season if minor fuzz or marine attachment occurs we recommend a sponge or deck brush cleaning to surface maintain performance. Some harbors, due to local water conditions, will require more or less regular cleaning.

At the end of the season, when you haul out the boat, immediately deck brush and hose the surfaces well, to remove any debris. If surface is cleaned well, simply overcoat with a new coat of Easy-On. To remove Easy-On use an abrasive pad and strong alkali detergent. If product is applied too thick, use an abrasive pad and suitable rubbing compound to remove. The following season simply clean boat bottom well and reapply one thin coat of Easy-On.

Best regards,

Brian Bennett

ITW Polymer Technologies

OK, I'm sold, I'll try it out, WestMarine carries it and is having a bottle brought to the store nearest me and I'll pay $49.00 for it. Since we have less than a 24' waterline I should have just enough. I'll apply it over top of three coats of Aurora VS721 wax. If I do not have to go through the massive procedure I do two to three times a season it will pay off in spades.(even if it saves me one cleaning I am happy)

[beene]

Thanks for the post Terry.

Sounds like great stuff.

I too am looking for a wax alternative to bottom paint.

Cheers

G

[Highlander]

Hi Terry

Well I just ordered some from W/M & I'll try it out this year & see what happens

J

[beene]

Better put on 3 coats J if you think that 75 is gonna beat my 75......

.... your M is already heavier than mine.....

Not to mention I lost 45lbs since Nov....

G

[Highlander]

Hi B

Man you wear a lot of winter clothing 45# !

As my 75 has a bigger block & more torq Oh and more head sail

you may have to tie off a line onto my stern just to keep up

75 with Eng. harness is now en route from Delta BC shipping cost $150. nice to have friends in the right places !

My props & hustler hub kit , tach arrived on Fri picked them up after I left your place Fri night @ the PO
for those who don't know I bought my Eng. & props from Iboats
Was snowing when I arrived @ QC on Sat morning but after a nice pancake breakfast with my senorita it cleared up nice & was a nice wk-end . Well where to have breakfast next Sat morn. ! I believe she has made plans already have not been disappointed yet & the food has been great

J

[Québec 1]

Well where to have breakfast next Sat morn. ! I believe she has made plans already have not been disappointed yet & the food has been great

J

Ahoy matee,
Le temporel on Couillard just off St Jean is my regular weekend breakfast place. Place Doesn't look like much but the Croissant with cheese or the croque monsieur are fabulous. Don't forget the expresso there is the best in the city of Québec ( use one complete cream pot or half if your sharing+ brown sugar and you will come back for more).
Q1

[Highlander]

QC1

sounds good will likely try it one Sun morn.

J