Interlux vs Pettit ablative paints

[Jus' Chillin]

Anyone know if technically Interlux ablative paint is superior to Pettit Hydrocoat which is what is currently on my boat? I have a 2007 SR 44 Sedan and hauled out today. Previously boat was in Louisiana waters, but since this March is in Orange Beach, Al and Florida waters. Leaning toward staying with what's on there, but the shipyard was suggesting the Interlux may be a superior paint.

 

[tbirdvet]

How did the bottom look? If Ok i would stay with Hydrocoat.

 

[Dave S]

From what I have read and heard on this board there is no single right solution to bottom paint. I think a lot of it depends on the waters in which you boat. If I were you, I would ask for advice and opinions from a few more local folks and listen to what they have to say. In addition, some folks like ablative paints (which is what Sea Ray uses with the Pettit paint) and some don't.

For me personally, the Pettit works just fine. I still have my original bottom paint, now four years old, on my boat and it has only required touch up to keep it pristine. But I boat on a fresh water lake where growth on the bottoms is not a problem.

Dave

 

[rcknecht]

I use what ever cost less, and has the same amount of cooper.... I like the water based because it is easier to clean up...

 

[Henry Boyd]

Hugo,

You didn't quite give us enough information. There are several 'Interlux Ablative' bottom paints. They range in retail price from about $ 70.00 per gallon through $ 325 per gallon. So the short answer is that some are not as good, and some are better.

In a perfect world, if the current paint was working, I would not recommend changing for the simple reason that the most compatible paint is always the same thing that is already there.

However, you are now faced with the classic dilemma experienced by shipowners the world over; you have a product you favor, and the yard has a product they favor. The yard may favor this because they have a financial relationship with that vendor (nothing underhanded, they might just have a better margin), it may be because they honestly believe their product is better, or they may have had a bad experience with your product.

The thing is paint performance (and warranty) is influenced by application. Hold the yard's feet to the fire and make them apply your paint, and any problem in the future will most likely be your paint's fault.

That being said, I would feel the yard out, if they are really adamant, then go with a comparable Interlux paint, otherwise you would be better off sticking with the Pettit, again IF, and only IF, it is doing a good job.

I'll also be honest with you by saying that I would not personally use an International Paint product unless I absolutely had no choice. But that is because I have been on the receiving end of International wiggling out of a significant warranty claim on defective commercial cargo container paint.

The other thing I would recommend, is that besides sanding, the bottom should be prepped with the paint maker's thinner before painting to remove any possible oil. Do this even if the boat has not been exposed, it will cover you if there are any future adhesion issues.

Henry

 

[Jus' Chillin]

Hey Henry.
I think I'm sticking with Pettit and changing from the Hydrocoat at 40% copper, to the Ultima SR 60 to get a higher copper content.
Since my last post however, the yard is telling me that barnacles got down to the gel coat and they have to sand the hull down to gel coat and charging a fortune to do it. Said it would take 2 men 2 days to sand the entire hull down. I'm going to see it myself tomorrow to better assess the situation but seems to me that only affected areas need to be sanded down that far if necessary, then primer and two top coats.:huh:

 

[Jus' Chillin]

 

[Henry Boyd]

I don't think the 4 man days for sanding is over the top. I once did my 280 with the correct safety/enviro gear and spent a man day on it, so adjusting for size...

You might be right on the localized sanding. But, these costs are very regionalized, so I may be wrong when i say that a complete blast job might be more cost effective. Maybe a whole bottom blast with soda or walnut shell might result in better long term results and be within the 4 man day sanding price range.

In any event, it is; preparation, preparation, preparation that will result in a good job.

Henry

ps gotta tell me what were you saying in the previous post??

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Sea Ray uses Petit paints, thats what petit advertises anyway. I use it and always get a mail in rebate seems to ware nicely so far easily applied .

 

[magster65]

From my experience (25 years in the salt);
The oblative paints are best in open moorage. The paint does need an annual (+/-) touch up / thin coat but it doesn't build up and it's easy to clean the (eventual) growth off.
The 'hard' paints are great if you're in a boathouse or in an area with very little growth. Every boat needs an annual haul-out here for anode replacement so a quick pressure wash then for the hard paint and it's good to go but with oblative... you're on the hard for a day or two while you do your paint work.

 

[Jus' Chillin]

I went yesterday to see the job being done to the bottom. I tried to attache some pics in a post above but no luck. Have plenty of them, but any way, these guys have sanded my hull almost down to the gel coat to get rid of barnacles and in a few spots some still remain. Does anyone know if you can use the miuratic acid or some other product to chemically remove them safely? I really don't want these guys going at it with sanders and getting into my gel coat. Secondly, I'm thinking of changing to Pettit Trinidad 75 which is hard bottom if the boat is going to spend more time in Florida area. And lastly, if they have my bottom sanded that far down, does it need to be completely absent of ANY primer or paint,etc before a good primer coat could be applied since it is so peppered at this point?

Here is one pic of the starboard side at midship

 

[Jus' Chillin]

Here are some pics. Hopefully they'll show up.

Tried to add attachment of pics. don't know if it worked:huh:

 

[wildfire]

boat was in water for 4 seasons , is only good for year per coat, searay installs 2 coats 3 at waterline. your paint worked well , your mantainance was poor

 

[fc3]

Ah. The two post expert who knows how Hugo maintained or did not maintain his boat.