Bottom paint

[AKelly]

Spring Is coming!
I'm looking for recomendations on bottom paint for my 7.9. Sail on Lake Michigan. Has anyone used a paint that wears away? Sure would be nice to do away with sanding every spring. We use a Petit Hard Bottom Paint now. Thanks for any advise.

[Tim Bosma]

We use VC17m (red). We do a power wash on haul-out, light sanding by hand in the spring to smooth out any rough spots and then a new coat. After that dries (20 minutes max), we hand sand with 900 or 1200 grit to burnish the surface. We scrub the bottom every 2 weeks after mid-July.
Thanks,

[Brad Boston]

I use Standard VC17 on Frequent Flyer 538. The most important thing is bottom prep prior to painting. I wet sand down to make sure the bottom is completely smooth the first time. After that every years coats will be simple.
VC doesn't build up like the other paints. When your done painting I use a fine scotch pad to burnish it before a major regatta.
I also spray my paint on.

[Cold duck]

I am applying a barrier coat to the hull of my 7.9 and intend to use VC17m Extra because I am sailing in fresh water. The VC17m is packaged in .75Qt cans. Can anyone tell me how much will be required to apply 2 coats to the 7.9 hull.

Thanks

[Tim Bosma]

I think you will need 2 cans per coat. You might get away with 3 cans total, but your second coat will be pretty thin.