Most of the hull has had only one coat of Ablative bottom paint which was applied two seasons ago. We were advised after our first season, that we only needed to add new ablative paint around the waterline, which is what we did prior to this season. Now, after two seasons of use, it is clear a full ablative bottom painting will be needed in the spring. Here the ablative paint can be seen to be coming off the rudder - the lines you see are from the power washing.
At the waterline it is possible to see how well ablative paint remains on the hull for one season (top portion of light blue hull). Paint that has not been applied for 2seasons (lower) needs to be re-applied in the spring. This year we will strip the whole hull and re-apply paint throughout.
Ablative Paint is a form of paint that one puts on the hull of the boat to prevent slime and marine creatures (e.g. barnacles) attaching to the hull. The paint contains "toxins" that slowly leach out of the paint. As the boat moves one slowly wears away the paint to provide a fresh surface for continued protection of the hull. Its much like a bar of soap - layers wear off with use to provide a new surface. In the spring we will sand off the remaining ablative paint and provide a fresh coat, which we hope will last for two six month seasons.
umm what is ablative paint?
ReplyDeleteAblative Paint is a form of paint that one puts on the hull of the boat to prevent slime and marine creatures (e.g. barnacles) attaching to the hull. The paint contains "toxins" that slowly leach out of the paint. As the boat moves one slowly wears away the paint to provide a fresh surface for continued protection of the hull. Its much like a bar of soap - layers wear off with use to provide a new surface. In the spring we will sand off the remaining ablative paint and provide a fresh coat, which we hope will last for two six month seasons.
ReplyDelete