New boat, new bottom paint, some application details

paulswagelock

Well-Known Member
Oct 25, 2010
2,183
pa
Boat Info
2018 SDX 270 OB 300 Verado
Engines
Verado 300
Where I slip my boat, bottom painting is a must. In two week, grass 2 feet long will grow on the sunny side of the boat. Within 3 weeks of splash, the bottom will be mostly black from growth. So we bottom paint....

I have done many boats for both me and for friends. My last boat, and this one, I started doing a no-sand installation method. It worked perfect last boat, and it should again on this boat.

I do not like the no-sand chemical bond method - I have seen those fail. So my method is to utilize a chemical etch and degloss by scrubbing with a coarse scotchbrite pad. I use Sea Hawk S90 scrub chemical. It is similar to orange pumice GoJo hand cleaner, but industrial strength. Roll it on, then scrub like mad with a maroon scotchbrite pad. It deglosses and dewaxes the surface very effectively while maintaining a new hull warranty by not sanding. Wash with water, then a few wipe downs with wax and grease remover solvent and it is good to go.

I switched it up this year and went with Pettit's new water based epoxy called H2 Prime. It is a 2 part high solids epoxy, but water based for low odor and easy clean up. Very nice to use, complete coverage in 2 coats, and easy clean up. This year I also switched paints. I normally use Biocop TF in my area, but wanted to try a slightly "faster" paint. I went with Hydrocoat SR water based paint for the added biocide. It did not roll out as easily as a solvent based paint, but still not bad, and reasonably smooth. It needed thinned with water or it was a bear to roll out.

Well, here is the final result. I will post back after some time in the water how it is performing.

IMG_3478.jpg
 
Did you consider a lift or dry stack instead? Such a shame to see such a nice boat have to be bottom painted......I get its "just a boat" but I think I would have cried LOL.....
 
I admit it was painful to put that roller to the hull...

No choices here for lifts or dry stack. And in our area, it does not hurt resale luckily.
 
Ok, sorry to swap topic but those jacks look pretty cool - how do they work and do they work well ? Painting our smaller boat on the trailer is a PIA.

-Kevin
 
They are hydraulic like a traditional floor jack, but have a lock mechanism to hold them once lifted. They reach so the trailer can be pulled out from under it easily.
I think they are 5000lb for a combined lift of 20,000. They belong to the marina but I have used then many times.
 
The bottom paint actually looks good on that boat with the black hull. One darn good looking boat!
 
I think you'll be happy with the Pettit SR - it's been around for a while and have known multiple boats that have used it. As you eluded to, the ultimate test is the specific water you are in, though. But I really haven't heard anything negative about the SR.

Those jacks - yardarm dot com - are fantastic. We've been using those for nearly a decade and they are great. Can lift them into a truck - portable - to go to a customer's house or a remote location. It does help to have one of those little pick-up truck hydraulic lift arms. Depending on how the Yardarms are set up, they can lift up to 10K each.
 
After a season in the water, the results were great. No build up, a little light slime on the sunny side. Pulled it and a with a 2 minute rinse with a pressure washer and it is back to perfectly clean. Very pleased with the paint and results.
 
We dock on the Kanawha River here in Charleston we don’t have those issues.
 

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