Bottom paint used on trailerable tugs

[Puffin1]

What is the paint used by Ranger?Can the boat stay out of the water for 6-8 months and still be effective when boat goes back into water? If bottom is clean and paint looks good, how often should new bottom paint job be needed?

 

[scross]

I'm not sure if Ranger Tugs come from the factory with bottom paint applied so I can't answer that part of your question. Different uses and different locations require somewhat different bottom paint.

Here's a good article on bottom paint for your reference.
http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2014/apr ... -paint.asp

Had my trailerable Monterey 242 for over a decade and never had bottom paint. Just lots of wax and polishing every year. But that boat, with one exception, was never in the water for more than two weeks at a time. Once you do bottom paint, you can't go back!

I've remember reading Andrew from RT saying you should have bottom paint is you are in the water for more that 30 days at a time. (Andrew, please correct me if my memory is off!)

For our trailerable Ranger Tugs you probably want an ablative type bottom paint as opposed to a hybrid or hard type bottom paint. Pettit Marine Coats recommends their Hydrocoat bottom paint for boats that are in and out of the water a lot or are out of the water for long periods.

The life of a good ablative paint will depend on many factors such as how scuffed it gets from trailering, how long its in the water and other factors. We are starting our third season since getting a new bottom paint and it still looks great!

Expect to spend $2,000 to $3,000 for a yard to prep and apply new bottom paint.

 

[BB marine]

I painted my 26 Cutwater with Pettit Vivid. I used it on my 260 Searay Sundancer and had 4 seasons before repainting. I had good luck with it on the Searay so I'm giving it a try on the Cutwater. My Searay stayed in the water most of the season and stored winters on the trailer. I Sanded the bottom with 80 grit wiped it down with Pettit dewaxing solvent, applied a coat of Pettit protect barrier primer coat ,then two coats of Pettit vivid. I did the same method on the Cutwater. Now I'm painting all the underwater metal components . Thruster housings, trim tabs, rudder, thru hull fittings, and the swim platform rails that stay under water. I'm using Pettit metal primer then Vivid. There are many great bottom paints on the market now . For me, I had a good experience with Vivid so I'm going to continue to use it.
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE

 

[scross]

The Pettit Vivid is a hybrid ablative solvent based coating and is an excellent choice for faster boats like the Cutwaters. With the Vivid you get lots of bright color choices. For slower boats like your R25 the water based Pettit Hydrocoat is arguably a better choice. Water based means easier application and clean up. But Hydrocoat colors are limited to dull colors like black and light blue.

All that said, the previous owner used INTERLUX Fiberglass Bottomkote NT as bottom paint which is a hybrid ablative. Like the Pettit products this bottom paint is suppose to stand up to trailering and being out of the water for extended periods of time.

 

[knotflying]

I use Pettit Vivid on my R-27. Never had an issue. You should use the same product that is on the boat now. Hopefully you can find out what it is.

 

[Red Raven]

Per an earlier post the bottom paint used by the factory subcontractor is Seahawk AF33. (Note that contrary to the post Seahawk AF33 is not "non-ablative, it is an hybrid ablative copolymer).

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7805&p=55128&hilit=Seahawk#p55128

I don't know if the factory still uses this though.

Curt

 

[RSC]

I had inquired from the factory awhile back about what bottom paint they used and was told about the Seahawk AF33. I use it on my EC21 in Florida and have no issues with it over time being in or out of the water on either my lift or trailer. It is manufactured here in Florida by people that know the harsh Florida water environment . I think it is hard to find a more hostile water environment than here.
Bob

 

[Red Raven]

Yes, I should have mentioned the boat has three seasons (6 months in the water and 6 months on the trailer) so far with great performance from the AF33. I will assess it carefully after pulling out next fall after our 4th season on the water. I plan on using the same paint when repainting. Very pleased so far.

I would recommend that owners use the same paint as the previous coating if they can find out what it is. I think compatibility is likely more critical than brand.

 

[baz]

What is the paint used by Ranger?Can the boat stay out of the water for 6-8 months and still be effective when boat goes back into water? If bottom is clean and paint looks good, how often should new bottom paint job be needed?

I very recently asked RT about bottom paint for an R-23 and was told they outsource to a local company who use Seahawk AF33 ablative and add two coats.

I can say that over the years that RT has used different sources and different processes for bottom painting their boats with varying success. The point is, what may have been used for a 2009 R-25 is likely to be different from what RT uses for a new R-23 today.

I would say that if the bottom paint can easily slough off with a light brushing, it's time to repaint.

 

[Levitation]

Pettite Vivid has worked excellently on the Charlotte Ann for since 2010 where the boat sits on the trailer 9 months of the year in recent years. The paint is still working. :mrgreen: