Bottom
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| Pettit
SR 21/Interlux VC 17 These are thin-film Teflon paints, and are commonly used by performance-orientated sailors. Interlux has now followed Pettit’s lead in adding Irgarol 1051: both paints are now slime resistant. They can be rolled or sprayed; Schooner Creek normally applies the paint by roller; however we will spray for $100 additional. The primary advantage of these paints is their extremely smooth and "slippery" finish, giving a very low drag hull surface. The paints use an extremely aggressive solvent, and can lift other non-vinyl paints. |
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are also very thin coatings, and the substrate condition will
govern the smoothness of the final surface. For these reasons,
this paint is commonly applied over either gel-coat or a barrier
coat that has been sanded to a 150-grit finish. The paints may
be wet-sanded and burnished
for a finer finish. The paints are available in "original";
VC 17 is also available in red and blue. The original is by far the
most widely used color; as applied it is a copper color, and weathers
to a dark metallic gray. The reds and blues are both tints added
to the original, rather than bright colors. When first applied, there
is little difference between the colors and the original, however
after water exposure, the color will deepen. The paint has a hard
surface, and may be used on trailerable boats; however it does lose
effectiveness when stored out of the water. The anti-fouling protection
is only moderate, and the paint has a typical lifespan of only one
season. It will be applied upon request at no extra charge; however,
if old (non-compatible) paint removal or bottom smoothing is required,
this will be performed at additional cost. |
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| Pettit Ultima SR This is a copolymer-ablative paint, with the addition of Ciba "Irgarol" as an anti-slime, (or soft growth) additive. It works quite differently from modified epoxy paints, rather the leaching out the biocide through a water permeable substrate; the paint "ablates", or dissolves, at a controlled rate; exposing new biocide as it does so. The life of this paint depends primarily upon the amount of paint remaining on the boat. The more the boat is used, the greater the rate of ablation. Scrubbing the bottom of the boat will quickly remove large quantities of paint. The paint is relatively soft, and friction |
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| from sliding the boat off and onto a bunk trailer can remove paint quickly. This paint can benefit from additional coats, although three to four is a practical maximum, before the coating becomes too rough and soft. The paint is recommended for trailered boats, as it does not lose effectiveness when stored out of the water for extended periods. Schooner Creek applies this paint by roller, and charges an additional $15 per gallon, or portion thereof for this paint. Additional coats may be applied at $7.50 per foot. | |
Interlux VC Offshore This is hard vinyl paint, which is capable of being wet-sanded and burnished to an exceptionally smooth surface. It has reasonably good anti-fouling qualities, and is suitable for use in salt water. Typically used on performance sailboats, it uses powerful solvents, and cannot be applied over non-vinyl paints. Teflon is included in the formulation for a super-slick finish. This paint should be sprayed for best results. Included under this brand name is the previously marketed "Regatta Baltoplate". Available colors are black (most common), blue, red, and baltoplate grey. This paint costs an additional $25 per gallon, with a spray charge of $200. Interlux Trilux 33 This non-TBT ablative paint was formulated specifically for use on aluminum vessels. It is also suitable for use on fiberglass, wood and other metal vessels, in both salt and fresh water. It contains Copper Thiocynate as a biocide and “Biolux” (Interlux’s version of “Irgarol”) for fresh water soft growth prevention. Compatibility with most other
Interlux Micron Optima This ablative paint is unique in being a two-part system. Rather than the paint curing by oxidation (This is the typical cure method: solvent is added to most paints only for viscosity modification only. Vinyl paints are the only bottom paint types that cure by solvent evaporation), this paint is supplied with a catalyst, permitting a more complete cure. This paint has received excellent reviews, and is suitable for both wet-stored and trailered vessels. The paint uses Cuprous Oxide as a biocide, and also has Biolux (Ciba’s Irgarol 1051) added for slim resistance. The paint is applied at a surcharge of $50 per gallon. Other Paints Other paints may be applied at the owner’s request. The paints listed above have been regularly applied in the past by Schooner Creek Boat Works, and are recommended. We are, however, willing to apply a different paint if requested by the owner, with the understanding that the cost will be determined by both product cost and application procedure, and that the owner accept responsibility for the performance of the paint. New Bottoms The first time a bottom is painted, several additional steps are required. Firstly, if the waterline is not already marked, a reference plane must be set up, and a paint line placed on the hull. If the vessel has been previously used, a scum line is helpful in determining where the vessel will float. In other cases, it can be necessary to launch the boat in order to locate the waterline. It should be noted that many small powerboats float stern-down, due to the weight of the engine(s). In some cases, this results in the bottom paint conflicting with the graphics applied by the manufacturer. In such a case, SCBW will work with the owner to determine the best solution. Bottom paint is commonly carried up above the actual waterline to prevent growth in the "splash" area. Normally, small boats have the paint 2½" above the water, boats in the 40' range will have the paint 4" above the water. Please inform us if you have different requirements. Bottom prep then continues with a de-waxing of the hull surface, using a specific de-waxing solvent. The hull is then lightly sanded for adhesion. Some manufacturers require that their bottoms not be sanded. These manufacturers are using a vinylester gel coat as a barrier coat, to prevent blistering. Their concern is that aggressive sanding will decrease the thickness of the gel coat, and decrease the protection to the hull. It is Schooner Creek Boat Works policy, in such a case, to lightly sand the gel coat with fine (150-grit) paper for adhesion, unless otherwise instructed. Schooner Creek does not guarantee the adhesion of paint to any surface that has not been properly prepared. Subsequent to sanding, the surface is again de-waxed; a tie-coat primer (commonly called a "no-sand primer) is then applied. The bottom paint is then applied, within the two-hour "open" window of the primer. This process, excluding launching (if required) to establish a waterline, will cost an additional $20 per foot. |
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Schooner Creek Boat Works - 3255 N. Hayden Island Drive, Portland, Oregon 97217
Phone (503) 735-0569 - Fax (503) 289-7444 - Email info@schoonercreek.com