Which Bottom Paint Do I Choose??

Caulks Versus Mildew: https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/caulks-versus-mildew/ Choosing the right bottom paint for your sailboat can get confusing fast. Ablative bottom paint, hard bottom paint, copolymer ablative, self-polishing antifouling, VC-17, racing bottom paint, copper-free antifouling, aluminum-safe bottom paint, and multi-season bottom paint all exist for different reasons. In this Practical Sailor episode, we break down how to choose bottom paint for a sailboat based on where the boat lives, how often it’s used, whether the bottom gets scrubbed, what paint is already on the hull, and whether you’re trying to prevent barnacles, slime, weed, zebra mussels, or just avoid a nasty sanding job next spring. If you’ve ever searched “which bottom paint do I choose,” “ablative vs hard bottom paint,” “how to bottom paint a sailboat,” “best antifouling paint for sailboats,” “VC-17 vs ablative paint,” “racing bottom paint,” or “how to paint the bottom of a boat,” this video is for you. We’ll explain the difference between hard modified epoxy paints, ablative antifouling paints, self-polishing copolymer paints, thin-film racing paints, copper-free bottom paints, and specialty paints for saildrives and aluminum boats, so you can make a smarter choice before buying an expensive can of bottom paint. Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/