Bottom paint

Golf Ranger

Golf Ranger

New member
Joined
Mar 9, 2025
Messages
3
Location
Burlington, Vt
Fluid Motion Model
R-27 (Outboard)
I’m looking to move from fresh to saltwater this fall. Will sanding the bottom void any warranty?
 
Golf Ranger said:
I’m looking to move from fresh to saltwater this fall. Will sanding the bottom void any warranty?
Click to expand...

To bottom paint the boat correctly, it's required that the bottom be completely sanded. Bottom paint won't stick very well to smooth gelcoat.

Here's a video of what happened to a boat I know, that had bottom paint applied to a brand new boat, with zero prep work on the hull.

Bottom Paint Fail

Here's the correct way to bottom paint a boat.
Avoid Costly Mistakes: The Correct Way to Apply Bottom Paint on your Boat.
 
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What does it cost to bottom paint a RT 25?
2 primer coats and 3 Petit coats?
 
Lake Effect said:
What does it cost to bottom paint a RT 25?
2 primer coats and 3 Petit coats?
Click to expand...
I would expect bottom paint to cost around $3k. Could be $4k. Depends on who does it. The initial bottom paint costs more, as the hull must be prepped (sanded lightly) so the paint will stick. Subsequent bottom paint, every couple of years is slightly less expensive than the first application. The paint costs about $300 a gallon. There's enough paint in a gallon to do a R27 hull with two coats with a little left over.

In the boat fail video I posted above, bottom paint was applied onto gelcoat without any prep work at all on an R27. To fix it, all that original bottom paint had to be sanded off, down to the gelcoat, then a couple coats of primer, and a couple coats of bottom paint. This is not normal. The bill was $7k.
 
I just got my R23's bottom paint redone @ Agate Pass Marine on Bainbridge Island. They removed the original, sprayed two coats of primer, and two coats of Pettit Trinidad HD. It cost about $4,000. They can haul out any trailerable boat. Great service and shop if your in the region.

Home - Boat Bottom Painting | Agate Pass Marine

Agate Pass Marine specializes in the antifoul painting of trailerable boatsand we cater to boat owners that want their bottom jobs done correctly.
agatepassmarine.com agatepassmarine.com

Prepped for paint:
IMG_4598.jpeg
 
kermitonbi1 said:
I just got my R23's bottom paint redone @ Agate Pass Marine on Bainbridge Island. They removed the original, sprayed two coats of primer, and two coats of Pettit Trinidad HD. It cost about $4,000. They can haul out any trailerable boat. Great service and shop if your in the region.

Home - Boat Bottom Painting | Agate Pass Marine

Agate Pass Marine specializes in the antifoul painting of trailerable boatsand we cater to boat owners that want their bottom jobs done correctly.
agatepassmarine.com agatepassmarine.com

Prepped for paint:
View attachment 26227
Click to expand...
I had no idea one could suspend a boat of this size in that manner! Reminds me of the Sword of Damacles!
 
2009 R25. Although in fresh water, I had to have the bottom paint redone two years ago because it had been applied when new, and then incorrectly recoated twice. Paint was thick, peeling down to original coat and different colors. Poor or no bond because of improper prep. Trailered and fresh water, so growth was not an issue. (If I had bought the boat new, I would NOT have applied bottom paint)
I had the boat soda blasted instead of sanded, epoxy primer sealed, then two coats of ablative bottom paint. The soda blast worked great. All old paint removed, gelcoat intact but no gloss, good grip for the new barrier coat, and areas around the hardware, fittings, etc. very clean. This can be done wet or dry, determined by conditions and location. Proper taping is everything to get a neat, finished job. Cost approximately $3600 two years ago. Bottom paint was about $290 / gal.
 
Reading all this with interest as I need to have new bottom paint applied over old ablative thst is now worn out. My 31CB will be moved to freshwater, so I am interested in brands of paint anyone can recommend for this situation. Thanks.
 
Second vote for soda blast and epoxy before bottom paint, especially in high growth waters. A good barrier coat will last 10 yrs, and provide a good base for replenishing the bottom paint. The brand and type of anti fouling are dependent upon the local waters. Ask around. For instance, my boat was originally on long Island, and dry stored over winter, where a single season paint was fine. Now in south Chesapeake bay, in water all year, so a two season paint makes more sense.
 
Reading all this with interest as I need to have new bottom paint applied over old ablative thst is now worn out. My 31CB will be moved to freshwater, so I am interested in brands of paint anyone can recommend for this situation. Thanks.
 
Shouldn't void your warranty since they will bottom paint your boat before you take delivery. We did a Seahawk Cukote in preparation to doing the Inside Passage in 2023 and again in 2025. Been very happy with it. Trailered 9,000 miles and boated 7,000 miles/6 months of salt water 2023 - 2025. I touch up the bottom paint in the spring and it's performed very well. Boat is stored indoors on a trailer when we aren't using it.
 
Next question to answer is whether to use ablative or non-ablative paint. If you trailer, then, you are likely to use ablative paint and clean your bottom periodically while on the trailer. The option for those of us who are 'in water' only is non-ablative paint and having a diver come to scrub the bottom twice per year. I had to go with Petitt Trinidad HD, that replaced an earlier Trinidad version that was outlawed. It's OK, but, I wanted to use the new Pettit Trinidad XSR Triple Biocide Hard Antifouling Paint. That paint is now legal, but, wasn't yet in CA and I couldn't wait any longer. It's over $400/G, however, when you add the costs for bottom paint, the paint cost differential is easily offset if you get one extra year.
 
Same vein - got whacked with barnacles this year - bottom was ok, but the running gear was nasty.

What are folks using for barnacles ?

Thx
 
I had really good success with prop speed on my last boat as well. The only negatives were the application was a little tedious and it is kinda pricey.
 
Looking for recommendations on a bottom paint, I have an R25 2010, in freshwater for 7 months then on a trailer over winter for maintenance etc. I know I need a non copper ablative paint but which one would you recommend after using or not recommend. This is my first ever boat so appreciate any advice.
 
I have been using Pettit Vivid (black) and have had good luck. Make sure whatever paint you choose can handle extended time out of the water.
 
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