The Importance of Bottom Paint for Center Console Boats

For many center console owners, removing the hull from the water is as easy as sliding the boat onto its trailer bunks or into the guides of the boat lift. As these vessels mainly spend only operational time in the water and are removed after use, concern about bottom growth and staining is minimal. But plenty of center consoles out there spend substantial time in the water, just like their sportfishing yacht counterparts.  Although one of the major benefits of owning and operating a center console is the relative ease of servicing the boat, the constant fight against bottom growth remains the same, no matter the type or function of the vessel.

Choosing the Right Anti-Fouling Paint

Bottom paint, also known as anti-fouling paint, prevents biological buildup below the waterline. Various factors such as geographic location, regularity of haul out capabilities, and primary use of the vessel will help determine exactly which product fits the demands of your vessel.

Eco-Friendly Bottom Paint Options

Although preventing growth below the waterline is important, it is equally important to select a product that is environmentally friendly.  Some anti-fouling paints for fiberglass hulls use a combination of ingredients to combat algae, barnacles, and slime while not causing any negative environmental effects, and we should always strive to use eco-friendly products when possible.

Aesthetic Considerations and Cost of Bottom Paint

While bottom paint may not be the desired look for most center consoles, the function of the paint to protect against the organisms desiring to affix themselves to the hull is necessary for any boat required to spend extended time afloat.  Additionally, there are high-quality bottom paints available that can match nearly any hull color, so a boat can cosmetically look nearly the same with or without bottom paint.  The exact product that is right for your boat primarily depends upon how much time the boat will remain in the water, but at an average price of three to four hundred dollars per gallon, it is beneficial to select a product that will protect your boat effectively.

Expert Recommendations for Anti-Fouling Paint

“A boat that will be laid up on the trailer for most of the year but may be required to stay in the water a few weeks at a time, such as on a trip to the Bahamas or a tournament circuit could use one of our products called AF33, which is a harder ablative anti-foulant finish,” says Tim Ballard of SeaHawk Paints. “A finish such as AF33 will be more durable and hold up to trailering and being removed from the water better than other products.”

Finding the Right Boatyard for Application

Choosing the right boat yard or marina to prepare the hull and apply the paint is just as important as choosing the correct anti-fouling product. It is wise to ensure the facility is manufacturer certified and has experienced yard technicians capable of correctly applying the product.  This will ensure that expectations of the process are clear for both the customer and the marina and help the application process run smoothly.  With both the correct product and installer taken care of, you can be assured of keeping your boat clean below the water.