[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference unifix::sailing

Title:	SAILING
Notice:	Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:	UNIFIX::BERENS

Created:	Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:	Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2299
Total number of notes:	20724

2021.0. "Inflatable bottom paint" by WONDER::BRODEUR () Tue Apr 20 1993 14:02

    
    	Couldn't find any previous notes in here about anti-fouling paint 
    for inflatables so here we go.
    
    	Last year I used a kit sold by Boat U.S. for my achilles inflatable
    that was a 2 step process. First was a primer that was applied to the
    bottom after a thorough cleaning with acetone. Not sure exactly what
    this was but it went on rather tacky but was hard and invisible after
    10 to 15 mins. I then applied the "bottom paint" which was a WOOLSEY
    brand hard racing paint that was bronze. I used up all the WOOLSEY.
    Problem is I need another coat of paint to get me through this year.
    Called Boat U.S. and they want to sell me special inflatable bottom
    paint. I assume the primer is still effective so would like to just
    slap another coat of something on there. I usually keep the dinghy
    inflated but I guess I still need a paint thats somewhat flexible. 
    Has anyone used a vanilla bottom paint on an inflatable with good
    results? 
    
    	Note, the first year I had the Achilles I left it in the water in
    Salem harbor for only 2 months and the growth was SEVERE! Painting the
    bottom seems to help this greatly. Any help here would be appreciated!
    
    Paul

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2021.1	Vanilla bottom paint is OK...	WONDER::BRODEUR		`Wed Apr 21 1993 13:11`	15
	Hate to answer my own question but..... I was able to get the phone # for the folks that sold the bottom paint kit (Inland Marine USA) and talked with a rep from there this morning. The primer should last indefinitely and the bottom paint is nothing special. They used a hard racing paint because the figured users would want a hard surface that didn't leave paint on cloths if you were carrying your inflatable or on the deck if you hoist your dinghy on board. Mine pretty much stays in the water so I not too concerned about it rubbing off on anything. I just have to use the standard rules for bottom paint as far as what I can put on top of the previous paint. I'll just use the same stuff that goes on the big boat and I'll be protected AND color coordinated!
2021.2	Does it really inflate!	MUZICK::THOMPSON	Mike LMO2-1/M13	`Fri Apr 23 1993 16:18`	11
	I am soon to apply bottom paint and think it would be a great safety feature to be able to inflate it. This could be used in case of grounding and also if water was coming aboard. Please tell me where I can obtain this product, Thanks, Mike
2021.3	Good idea!	SALEM::GILMAN		`Mon Apr 26 1993 15:37`	10
	What a great idea..... inflatable bottom paint! I suppose this is used as a sort of 'life preserver' for the boat? i.e. if the boat develops a leak you get out the air pump and blow up the bottom paint thus increasing the displacement of the boat and giving an added margin of safety!? Smile Jeff
2021.4	Been a LOOOONNNNNGGGGG winter!	WONDER::BRODEUR		`Tue Apr 27 1993 09:03`	6
	You guys need to get out on the water and get some fresh air...... Capt. Inflatable
2021.5	Bottom paint FOR inflatables	SALEM::GILMAN		`Tue Apr 27 1993 15:26`	6
	I must have read that six times before I entered my inflatable bottom paint idea.... the header hit me that way every time. How do you THINK great ideas are born? Jeff
2021.6		TOOK::SWIST	Jim Swist LKG2-2/T2 DTN 226-7102	`Tue Apr 27 1993 15:50`	2
	At $110/gal, it's inflated enough.
2021.7	Good thing House paint isn't this expensive....	AKO539::KALINOWSKI		`Thu Apr 29 1993 09:27`	15
	re .6 > $110/gal, it's inflated enough. Heck, thats only half the cost. In the process of stripping bottom paint last weekend, I ran out of bottom paint thinner (both west marine and I underestimated my requirements). The local marine store charged me only $43 a gallon for the stuff. So far the 3 gallons of thinner have the $104 Petit ACP-50 bottom paint beat on cost per task ;>( Forget about the bottom of the inflatable. I'll wait till mid season and throw the stupid thing in someone's swimming pool ;>) ;>) . These monohulls sure are costly compared to my multihulls !!!