Epoxy barrier coat

[Levitation]

Andrew, I will put bottom paint on this winter...
Does the factory use an epoxy barrier coat with bottom paint?
And, which bottom paint does the factory apply?

denny-o - Lake Huron for now, salt later...
FMLT2510F809

 

[rt11002003]

The factory uses vinylester resin in manufacturing the boat. This material resists osmosis blistering, usually a factory provides a 10 year guarantee against blistering. I don't remember Ranger's. I just painted the bottom of my boat a few weeks ago and didn't use a barrier coat. Figured I'd see how well the vinylester protected things. I had very good luck with vinylester on a J22 about 15 years ago and a J80 about 10 years ago, kept them in the water for several years with no problems, just re-applied bottom paint when needed.

Barrier coat is better at resisting osmosis blistering, if properly applied. I've used Interlux for years when I had boats that needed protection after blister repairs. In my area a bottom job with barrier coat and bottom paint for a boat the size of yours would cost around $2,000, plus materials (paint, barrier coat material, etc) and hauling and yard rental.

The paint to use depends on the area. Paints seem to work better in some areas than they do in others.

Gene

 

[Levitation]

Well, just an update...
I opted for the Pettit system with their epoxy primer and their VIVID paint... It was as lot of sweat and sore muscles, but other than that it was just another coat of bottom paint (X 5)...
I just pulled the boat to prepare for a trip to Lake Superior and Drummond Island... Other than a thin layer of clear slime at the water line, there was no growth and not a single zebra mussel to be found... A far better result than last summer when 5 weeks in the water left about 500 pounds of mussels all over the bottom...