Bottom paint failing, and sudden growth, speed and RPM loss..

I have my 24C being pulled within a few days for some time on the hard....a punch list of things to do, including new bottom paint. So my question is this...I was running the boat every day since I had it side tied in the water for a few weeks. Then I had to go about a week away from the boat, and could not run it. Seems to have lost about 3-4K RPM and about 6-7 mph.....is it possible that much growth in a week (in the southeast near NC SC border) on tired bottom paint?

FWIW the SK Ride tabs have new paint on them, and they are still functioning.......

Hoping you mean 3-4 hundred RPM and not 'K'. Still seems a little excessive for a week, but growth was probably already starting even taking it out every day. Even on displacement boats heavy growth can knock off 15-20% of boat speed.

Rode Trip said:

Hoping you mean 3-4 hundred RPM and not 'K'. Still seems a little excessive for a week, but growth was probably already starting even taking it out every day. Even on displacement boats heavy growth can knock off 15-20% of boat speed.

Click to expand...

LOL yeah 3-400 rpm loss......and loss of speed is about 20% ....almost 20. Hoping to get it pulled this week.

Warmer water and sunshine can result in considerable growth, so I think you have pinpointed the problem unless you also added considerable weight by filling fuel and water tanks and lots of beverages and passengers.

Pulled the boat today and WOW much more growth than I anticipated. Even the SK Ride tabs, which were freshly painted, were horrible...(and yet they functioned fine....)

34 MPH at 5100 was the best she could do the night before being pulled. After seeing the bottom, frankly surprised it was that good. That's a loss of a solid 8 mph and 500 RPM

Marine growth is pervasive, and it doesn't take much to affect speed and engine loading. If I leave the boat, in season, for more than a week, I can tell I've got growth when I power up after leaving the creek. It often takes about 10 minutes above hull speed to "slough off" the growth and get back to normal performance. Tried a "slicker" bottom paint this season, and my first run after splashing looks promising. Will see how it goes as the season goes.