Dual waters bottom paint ??

We finally busted out to clear water.
Were back from a six week deployment. We leaped froged down the Florida coast to Elliot Key and back.
All while dragging our 17’ Mako.
The weather stayed tolerable and all offshore. Gad we hate the ditch.

When we departed our fresh water dock, I knew there was just a littlie green fuzz on both boats waterlines. All seemed clear and despite dragging the 17’ brick, all ran very well.

Reminder to self; Never drag a drone (brick) again…

When we reached Elliot Key and I went down on the hookah for some back therapy, I was quickly alarmed.
The 17 Mako was fouling and some barnacle larva was already attaching on our Bert’s bottom. Bert’s shafts and struts already fouled.
So much for a relaxing knap in aqua space, I spent the whole day cleaning ole Bert and SCRAPPING the Mako.

After the Mako cleaning, it was used well including a run back to Dinner Key and return.

So now we are back home. Back in fresh water.
Two days later, the Mako is on a trailer and in our yard.
Transom is buried is an inch of barnacles. Top of trim taps and under some hull strakes.
After a whole day of pressure washing with a turbo-jet nozzle, removing all but a fresh barrier coat, barnacle foot-prints still remain on the transom requiring sanding (grinding) aweigh.

I was talked into this new Sherwin Williams ablative paint for our Bertram. Supposed to be dual purpose fresh/salt water.

The Mako was just bottom prepped with barrier coat and a hard paint for the area before our purchase 1.5 years ago.

I understand nothing sticks or works on running gear. No issues here with me.

But larva and barnacles forming on bottoms quickly? The Bertram was only static for 8 days at Elliot. The Mako static for two days max anywhere.

It is obvious that the Mako’s bottom paint is now toast and near all pressure washed off. What is left will be sanded off with the last barnacle remains.


What is our collective thoughts on a trailable, dual water, bottom paint for a 20+knt Mako?

Next haul, what could be a better bottom paint for our Bertram 58 MY?



Thank all for your thoughts,

Ralph