How long until bottom paint is needed

[Johnfrmcal]

We are keeping a boat we just been bought in indoor rack storage in Southwest Florida. Boat has never been bottom painted and looks like new. I suspect it was a day boat and the owner was religious with rinsing and the Neutra salt system. The question is, how many consecutive days can you leave a boat like that in the water before you wished you had bottom painted it? Are there solutions that help clean the bottom when the boat comes out of the water?

If you can’t tell already, we’ve always been freshwater boaters.

 

[fstbttms]

We are keeping a boat... in Southwest Florida. Boat has never been bottom painted and looks like new. The question is, how many consecutive days can you leave a boat like that in the water before you wished you had bottom painted it?

0 consecutive days.

 

[O C Diver]

We are keeping a boat we just been bought in indoor rack storage in Southwest Florida. Boat has never been bottom painted and looks like new. I suspect it was a day boat and the owner was religious with rinsing and the Neutra salt system. The question is, how many consecutive days can you leave a boat like that in the water before you wished you had bottom painted it? Are there solutions that help clean the bottom when the boat comes out of the water?

If you can’t tell already, we’ve always been freshwater boaters.

This will be dependent on salinity (are you in brackish water) and temperature. My buddy has a rack stored boat in Cape Coral, FL. The marina provides a slip that is mostly saltwater when he keeps it in. While hard growth doesn't start instantly, after 3 or 4 days it's tougher to get the slime fouling off. Waxing the bottom or at least the waterline might be a big help.

Ted

 

[JLD]

Are we voting? If so, I vote to go ahead and paint the bottom!

That way you can enjoy the boat and not worry about it.

Jim

 

[DavidM]

You won't see any significant fouling of your bottom for at least 7 days, maybe longer. Yes a bit of slime but that comes off with a quick pressure wash that some dry stack guys will do for you every time they put it back in the rack.


I wouldn't necessarily bottom paint a boat that is stored in a rack. See how it goes and if it becomes a problem then consider painting.


David

 

[Turner]

Are we voting? If so, I vote to go ahead and paint the bottom!

That way you can enjoy the boat and not worry about it.

Jim

[emoji106]

 

[O C Diver]

Most places I've looked at for dry rack storage include unlimited in and out. You might be different from me, but I can't see using my boat 5 days in a row. Heck, the weather is rarely good 5 days in a row. Have them pull it after 3 or 4 days wash it off, and reset the day counter. My buddy tips the crew every time they pull and clean his boat. They fall all over themselves to take care of him. His boat is always taken care of first. Would much rather spend money on tips than bottom paint.

Ted

 

[Comodave]

Depending on the boat bottom paint may either add to the boat’s value or subtract. A large boat that most people would leave in the water will probably be enhanced in value with good bottom paint. On the other hand a smaller boat that is typically stored out of the water may decrease in value with bottom paint. Bottom paint on a high speed boat may slow it down so it may not be desirable.

 

[Vashon_Trawler]

In our warm Florida waters, I can see hard growth in a couple of weeks--sometimes a little sooner! Slime appears in a week.

 

[jleonard]

After a week in the water in LI Sound, the dingy needs to be scrubbed of slime.
2 weeks and there will be barnacles starting to attach.

 

[Marlinmike]

We have a rib and even a few days in the water you get these pink bumps attached which require a good brushing to remove them. Paint it and you would have any issues.