Bottom Painting

sawalt · Post by **sawalt** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 7:41 am

I'm putting Bottom paint on Sugar Magnolia for the first time. I plan on using West Marine Bottompoxy as a barrier coat on then VC Offshore. My Question is how much of each do I need? I have heard 1 gallon of each will be enough but I'm not sure.

Post by **Tim Bosma** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 11:02 am

We use just over a quart of vc17m Biolux. It goes on real thin, but ours is over old vc17, not first coat.

sawalt · Post by **sawalt** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:48 am

Thanks Tim. Does anyone know if the Offshore is as thin? I'm Racing in South Puget Sound so I need a bottom paint that will work in salt water.

Ray Suarez · Post by **Ray Suarez** » Mon May 10, 2004 4:26 pm

I have been using VC Offshore for the last 3 years in the Boston area. I painted over the regular VC that was put on for Great Lakes sailing. I have not had any problems with painting over the older stuff.

At the end of the season I have the bottom pressure washed and get about a square foot that chips off. I wait until the next season and repaint the entire bottom with about half a gallon. I keep the left over paint can in a warm place to avoid damage to the paint.

Seems to require weekly rubdowns to keep the growth off (which I don't do). By the end of the season about 5 months, I have a 2-3 inch beard growing on the bottom. It really slows the boat down, making for a nice and long sail to the haulout area. I would appreciate thoughts on any other products that resist growth more aggresively.

ray@f7.net