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Old 04-01-2008, 11:21 AM   #1
q240z
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Posts: 107
Aluminum hull bottom paint

So many choices...

In late April we'll be blasting & painting the hull on our 46 Roamer and I'm looking around for bottom paints. ePaint's online calculator says I need 8 gallons to do the job, which is quite a bit more than I've ever used in one go on our 52' Connie. The Pettit calculator says 3 gallons will do the job. Here's the current line-up of brands I'm considering:

Petitt-- Vivid Free ($169/gal) [zero copper, active ingredient Zinc Pyrithione .....4.95%], Alumacoat SR ($159/gal) [zero copper, active ingredient Zinc Pyrithione .....4.95%]; Vivid ($149/gal) [contains Cuprous Thiocyanate and 2.% Zinc Pyrithione but is recommended for AL hulls.]

ePaint--EP-ZO ($179/gal) [zero copper, active ingredients are Zinc Pyrithione 4.8%, Zinc Oxide 36%; ]; EP2000 ($209/gal) [Proprietary Algaecide 4.7% and not compatible with other bottom paints]

Interlux--Trilux 33 ($198/gal) [still contains some copper (Cuprous Thiocyanate) and is formulated for fast boats]

As I understand it, Trilux 33 is what Marinette Yachts applies from the factory even though it does contain some copper. EP-ZO looks interesting because it's got relatively more Zinc AND produces hydrogen peroxide. Pettit's copper free paints look pretty good as well. It's like I said...too many choices.

Any thoughts? What do you use for your aluminum hull?
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