Sometimes things in life are a compromise. I can't even imagine having to launch my boat every time I use it like most of you do. It's my summertime retreat (small one, yes) and I sleep on it often. No, I don't want a cruiser, as much of the enjoyment for me is walking out of a frustrating meeting, driving to the lake and taking a fast lap. Like PatM I've been pretty conscientious about pulling it every month or so to clean it.

I've heard a couple people talk about the gel coat absorbing moisture. One even quoted a couple hundred pounds??? if the boat is left in the water all season.

I'm doing some bottom work this fall and am using epoxy for the patches, so while I'm at it, I'm going to epoxy coat the bottom for water resistance. Would sure be nice to be able to do it with an anti-fouling paint instead, but I'd rather pull the boat to clean it than lose 5mph.

Pat: Any other info on the paint you used? Was it just normal Trilux bottom paint or something you had to order special?

The only paint you can use on a boat that's submerged is one rated for continual immersion. Epoxies, polys etc will come off like leaves in the Fall. Rustoleum 9100 has an immersion-rated activator, but I've never used it for something that was to be left in the water for long periods.

That's the first I've heard that. Had a very good conversation with a VERY experienced individual at WestSystems and they use straight epoxy for continual emmersion all the time, and have even run extensive tests for water absorbtion or delamination. From a theoretical perspective, water should have no effect at all on an epoxy coating.

We put a epoxy coat on the bottom of my Fountain hull in spring 2002 and the boat was kept in a well all summer for 4 of the past 7 years with no change in the epoxy bottom coat.
We rolled the paint on and tipped it to get a smooth final finish which isn't as smooth as the gel coat but very acceptable and much easier to maintain.
ed

No, it was not special order, however it was like twice the $$. Interlux Trilux is what I remember. It was paint recommended to me by the marina we kept our boat at. They used it on all the class racing sailboats and it was on the self. I remember it was vary thin and we had to put 3 coats on the first year then 1 coat each year after that. I remember it would rub off vary easily. I do not regret painting the bottom of that boat at all; it made maintaining the boat much easier.

More info:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...ne=1&page=GRID

I think it was the Trilux 33. It looks like they have others with Teflon

Do you remember if it was actually easier to clean off than gel coat? I would imagine I wouldn't have to worry about using acid to clean the bottom if it's epoxy coated. Unlike gel coat, a mild acid solution shouldn't effect epoxy.

I'll probably just try the epoxy for this year and see how I like it before I experiment with the Trilux. My intent is to spray it on and then sand it with 400grit blocks after I've blueprinted the bottom totally flat.

If you speak to any paint manufacturer and ask about water immersion, that's what they'll tell you. There are specific paints formulated for immersion. Regardless of how tough a particular paint is, if it's not immersion-rated, it probably won't stay on.

Bcarpman,
The bottom is easier to clean, seems some of the junk will wash off but any discoloration still needs acid which we use occasionally. Miy ull was painted with a Interlux epoxy product by a guy in Holland, Mi.
Remember epoxy is forever and Trilux isn't.
ed

They usually tell you that because they don't want to deal with some yacht owner putting it on and having issues. Plus, it comes down to the mixture that the painter uses. If the mix is correct, it will be fine. If it isn't correct, it's probably going to come off or at least bubble.

There have been a LOT of boats with Awlgrip or Imron on the bottom that have zero problems even staying in the water... IF they have been applied properly.

The theory that they can be submerged just fine is absolutely correct. A good product like Awlgrip/Imron is better in than gel coat in almost every way... the main one regarding water intrusion is porousness, or better put lack thereof.

Back to the topic at hand:
The bottom sanding thing is a load of BS in regards to any speed increase. Sailboat racers are the ones who started this by wet sanding their boats before a race. No actual increase has ever been seen... Most racers admit they do it because the other guy does it. The only thing it really ever did is play a mind game on the teams that didn't do it... it's tough to see a team wet sanding the bottom of a boat before the race when you aren't doing it.... it puts doubt in the other teams setups.

Hey,

What about speedkote? I have seen this stay on gelcoat that was totally immersed for 5 months every year. It only came off where it was abraded from the friction of use. Mostly on the edges of the chines. Kinda like how paint gets thin on an old muscle car that was lovingly waxed too aggressively over the years.

I was told it is incredibly toxic and requires fully ventilated masks to apply though.