I'll up the ante to 80 feet on the waterline if and when I sell a million books.
I'll up the ante to 80 feet on the waterline if and when I sell a million books.
Last I checked (some years ago) "cheap" bottom paint was around $80 per gallon, if one got lucky. $120 more available.
A guy could spend several hundred dollars a gallon, if he thought it would make him go faster. :o)
Myself, it was always crude and rude, pressure wash (if possible) scrape, rinse and let dry, then roll the paint on. Usually needed to put the boat back in the water while bottom paint still tacky, for best effect, though in later years this was reversed, with 24 hours recommended drying time, instead of the previous DO NOT wait 24 hours, but more like splash the boat back in as soon as possible.
Fishing boats. Spent many years on boats approx. 75' overall or "Panama" length. Those boats were frequently registered much shorter (as short as possible) for insurance reasons.
Rudder post to waterline shear, and not an inch longer, raise caine with the marine surveyor to get it done.
Never worried about having the smoothest surface possible under the waterline (like sanding/surfacing for hours, yachty-style).
Haul-out days were usually pricey, though one would as often as not get 2-3 days as part of the haul-out costs. I'll admit to having never careened -- and that could a tough proposition nowadays, given all the environmental laws. They don't want those barnacles, once attached, to be scraped off and dropped back into the water, even though those same barnacles are attached to the newer generation bottom paints which are not as "poisonous" as in the good 'ol days.
They get all freaky over lead, and copper too, but the metals are not that much of a problem until methylated...
Only a few times on vessels I crewed or skippered (over a 30 yr span) did the owner spring for the "yard" to do all the painting --- so I've scraped and painted a few.
I confess to over the years buying only a few gallons of bottom paint with my own money, but tried to always treat the stuff like I did. Put it on not too thin, not too think, don't spill it, don't waste a drop, if possible. I do remember when I thought $35 bottom paint was pricey, but complaining then didn't do any good,unless one wanted to pay more. Late '70's, early to mid 80's. It's been going up steadily ever since, with the enviro's making the price explode, and the effectiveness diminish all at the same time.
plus the added cost for the sails and gear for the other mast.
(IF 80’)