Bottom Paint VC 17

[Boatino]

Has anyone used this VC 17m on their hull? I need to get the bottom stripped, epoxied, and painted. I know the blow boaters use the VC 17m for speed. If anyone has used it does it need to be repainted every year if used in freshwater? Does it come off if the boat is loaded on a trailer? Is it that much more slippery where you'll see your speed increase? Just trying to decide between this and an Ablative paint. Thanks for the help.

John

[Capt Vince Pierleoni]

Since you are going to all that work, absolutely put the VC on. It's like ink. You will never need to sand again. Only worth using it over the epoxy/tar. It dries instantly, and I have applied it in much moister, colder weather than what they suggest with great results. Not sure what percentage of increased speed you will see, but the competitive sailors swear by it. I used it for over 20 years on my Penn Yan, and when my bottom on my current boat gets blasted I will use it again.

[Capt Vince Pierleoni]

As to your question about reapplication, I would do it once a year. I have heard that its more expensive cousin, VC 18, can last multiple seasons.

[GAMBLER]

I have been using it since I purchased my boat. Amazing stuff. At the end of the season, it makes very easy work. A power washer and very little effort and the bottom looks like it was just painted. It goes on a copper color until it has been in the water. When rolling it on, work fast. Like Vince said, it dries really quickly.

[Boatino]

Vince & Brian,

I couldn't find anything on VC18 on the Interlux site. Anyways it looks like I'm going with the VC17. Thanks for the replies.

John