Bottom coating

[kjgregson]

Hello all,

We have finally completed our dry moorage marina test to see if the new R-29 we planned on getting would fit into our current location and it was close, but it was a no go. With virtually no moorage available in BC's Lower Mainland it wasn't looking good for us getting our dream boat.

I guess timing is everything, because the day we called the marina on Bowen Island, they had an opening. We now have a spot sitting waiting for our new boat to be built. Previously always being in a dry moorage marina, we have never had to bottom paint a boat. but now we will.

I came across a video on YouTube today of a Ranger Tug being sprayed with a product called TruNano Marine Armor.
It says it is environmentally friendly and can be applied to all surfaces on the bottom side of the boat and only needs to be re-applied every 3-5 years. It is a clear product so it keeps the original colour of the boat as well.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this product, or have any recommendations for us.

Excitedly awaiting our new R-29 "Sand Dollar"

Cheers
Kathy & Keith

 

[Wheeler]

I'm far from an expert on bottom coatings, but this sets off alarm bells for me, kind of like when I get SPAM emails.

A quick google search comes up with very few hits on this product, nearly all are videos or data sheets from the manufacturer or a distributor. I didn't see any comments from users saying anything good or bad, which I found odd. There's just a total lack of info about the product.

Other stuff that makes me nervous:
- The manufacturer seems to sell the same product (or very similar) as a coating for circuit boards, wood, concrete, stone, metal, fiberglass, and graffiti repellent.
- The distributor who posted the Ranger video (SyntropicSolutions) has a pretty thin website with next to no information. They don't seem to have any particular experience in the marine market, but appear to dabble in a number of supposedly "green" technologies, such as enzyme cleaners, air conditioning, and the conversion of fats, oil and grease to CO2 and water (!).
- I found several spelling and grammar errors in some of the documentation. ("chalks" instead of "chocks" when talking about holding up the boat in the boatyard, "Zinc's", etc.) Just makes me think they have no experience in a marine environment, or they can't afford decent copywriters/PR/marketing, etc.

My opinion, but it all sounds hokey. Maybe I'm just a sceptic, but if it sounds too good to be true...

 

[knotflying]

I would put my money into Petit Vivid. They have several colors and you may even be able to get the color mixed to match you boat color. It is a proven product and readily available.

 

[kjgregson]

Thanks for the input folks

Wheeler I too wondered why no comments from users about the product and was skeptical about the claims. I wondered if someone on Tugnuts owned the boat that was used in the video. It also struck me as odd that the video talks about the 28 ft Ranger Tug they were spraying - they apparently don't know anything about the boat they were working on

I'll check out Petit Vivid, thanks for tip knotflying

Cheers

 

[Here Be]

Why not ask the manufacturers of TruNano Marine Armor to provide names and phone numbers of satisfied customers and see what they have to say.

 

[thataway]

When a new product comes around I always go to the MSD data sheets: For TruNano it is interesting:

Silane Resin is the synomym.
Content:
Trade Secret A-1 10-12 Proprietary 1000 ppm
Trade Secret A-2 6-8 Proprietary --
Ethyl Alcohol 6-8 64-17-5 1000 ppm
Methyl Acetate 54-56 540-88-5 200 ppm
Trade Secret B 16-18 Proprietary

Further down the sheet it says:
STATE RIGHT-TO-KNOW
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65
This product does not contain materials which the State of California has found to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.

I don't know of any antifouling material which fits these specs. It may be some coating--but it is put on thin (4-5 mils), it is not utalized as a barrier against blistering, and it is non toxic....I would not use it.

 

[Lobo]

Kathy & Keith

I'm in Victoria and I "presume" our salt water is similar to yours -- not including stray electrical currents at the docks. I've been using "Interlux Bottomkote XXX" both on my previous sailboats and my Ranger -- probably 15 years or so now. Their website is "yachtpaint.com". Interlux has quite a detailed product book (60 pages) and this paint is under the "Canadian Antifouling Paint" section. There are some different regulations between us and the USA -- none of which I know.

When I purchased Lobo 3 years ago I had the dealer put on the first application. The hull was lightly sanded and 2 coats were put on (red). Around a year later I added 2 coats of blue. Last summer I added 3 coats more of blue, each addition being after pressure washing, light sanding and washing with Interlux Special thinner #216. With the original paint red and since then blue it is easy to see how the wear is going. I get antsy when the red shows!

My boat is in the water all the time and I don't have a trailer. I have a 10,000 lb crane at my yacht club so I lift it out every 4 (or so) months, pressure wash the hull, change zincs as required (8 months here -- could probably stretch to a year) and put it back in the water. Now that I have the 3rd painting on I expect that I should get 18 months before I have to repaint.

You might want to phone Interlux (1-800-468-7589) and ask for their book -- the Canadian edition -- which I am sure they would love to send to you.

I use just a bit over a gallon for a 2-coat paint job.

Dave
"Lobo"

 

[RProffer]

I have used Interlux on my previous boats and it worked great. I was told that you put on one coat for each year of protection that you desire. Interlux is one of the few anti-fouling paints that do not lose it's effectiveness when out of the water for the winter. I would put on three coats and it would last three seasons. I like the polishing that it does - get a little buildup on the bottom and it falls away when you get underway. I trailer my R21, so I do not use anti-fouling paint.

I have been told that different anti-foaling paints have different effectiveness in different waters. I would recommend asking around to see what works in your area.

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

My R-29, Ladybug Too, sits at my dock year round as did my previous boat. Since I am in Pensacola, Florida, marine growth is a big issue for me as well as zinc maintenance. For my money I would only use an ablative marine paint like Interlux Micron CSC. I have always prepared my hull before first application with an undercoat product by Interlux. The undercoat is a high solids, epoxy based primer usually put on in four or more coats with the first finish color coat put on before the primer dries completely. I have used a lighter shade of blue on the first coat of finish color followed by one or two coats of blue darkened by ther addition of a quart of black. When the lighter color starts to show through, it is time for a fresh coat. I have had multi season luck but only with a good bottom scrubbing to start the season. My old boat was in the water for many years and never had a single hull blister. The epoxy primer system is an effective water barrier second to none. I never had it show through on the old boat. Pat, Ladybug Too