Best bottom paint for southern boats?

There's no issue with getting the boat bottom painted in the Bahamas. However, if you find out you need more serious work, I'd rather have the yacht in the US.

You could put blue hard paint, then ablative over it. But why not put blue ablative, and then black ablative over it so it's the same paint. But, you don't need to do that. You'll see your grey barrier coating popping through if the bottom paint is thin, so there isn't necessarily a need for a "signal coat", but I don't milk bottom paint to see how many extra years you can go longer than you should. After 18 months, ablative paint is in-effective against barnacles. If I was starting fresh I would go hard paint all of the way. You do have to worry about build-up after 10 years, but everything has a trade-off.

Since this'll be the last bottom paint I anticipate being involved with let me ask for just a specific recommendation.

56 Hatteras, we'll be cruising fresh water until fall, then the Gulf through winter and up the east coast next spring. Cruise speed will average around 15 kts. She may sit for up to a month between legs. We've had the bottom pealed (blisters). All paint is off. She's being barrier coated, etc. What's your recommendation for paint? We're not looking for the latest / greatest unproven wonder. We want to keep the growth off and the paint on. All the better if it comes in green.

Thanls

I really like hard paint. It's a lot more effective than any ablative. Contrary to what they say, once you have growth on Ablative, it does not just fall off without a divers putty knife on it. Especially if you're peeling the bottom and don't have to worry about build up of layers and layers.....honestly in Hard I like the Interlux ultra......BUT, make sure whatever paint you use is compatible with freshwater. Some are not.

If your going to the Bahamas Islands 44 hard by SeaHawk is great paint. Will last at least 2-3 years. I believe that yachts over 90ft can still use this paint legally in US.

This is supposedly very good in areas of hih growth and long periods of no movement

http://www.jotun.com/it/en/b2b/paintsandcoatings/products/Megayacht-Imperial-Antifouling.aspx

Does it work on fiberglass? Is it available in US? Thx

From the website I linked to:

Substrate: Aluminium, carbon steel, composite and wood

I don't know the answer to the second question. I am not selling it myself so would suggest thos who are interested make their own enquiries, there are links on the website.