Antifouling Paint

[MN Mike]

Anyone have any luck with any antifouling paint out there to keep the slime and algae off the hull? I've got a Lund.

My boat sits in a slip all summer and by late August it's getting pretty cruddy. Last year wasn't too bad but the year before that..... UFF DA!

Thanks

Mike

[CAMAN]

Its probably best to call a company like Pettite and Epaints to get their recommendation on what will best suit your needs. The most common bottom paint is one with a biocide that prevents algea growth but also wears away overtime and needs to be recoated every few years. Not the greatest option for boats that spend time on a trailer. There are other options that create a hard slick teflon coating and prevents algea from adhering, this type is quite expensive.

I know Epaints has a formula that creates Hydrogen Peroxide around the hull to prevent growth, and I believe it is safe for aluminum. Its called EP2000.

[Transporter]

Unless you have severe growth (which I doubt if in Minnesota) I would not use any antifouling paint. I still have some of the old tin based paint for larger aluminum hulls that stay in the water and that works, the new stuff, not so well. But, the boats run at slower speeds and cannot be easily removed for cleanng. If you apply that type of paint to the bottom of your lund you will greatly increase drag and greatly reduce speed and fuel economy. There are only a couple of paints approved for use on aluminum, and they are very expensive and may not last more than one season. If you use something for fibreglass hulls containing copper, it can and will eat through the bottom of the boat if conditions are right. Take it out and clean it periodically and you will be much better off.

[magnum mike]

A friend of mine uses a product called Shark Skin on the floats of his pontoon. It works great.

[MN Mike]

Thanks for the info guys.

Mike