Anti Foul / Bottom Paint on a new Hull.

[davem]

Hi,

Is it imperative that a new boat has been "anti-fouled" prior to going in the water, or could it be used for a while then applied.

I cannot see specific advice from Jeanneau about this?

What are the members views on this please?

Thanks  in advance

[Don Reaves]

I am not aware of any problems waiting would cause other than making the surface preparation more difficult. If you waited a very long time and the boat developed blisters that could have been prevented by the barrier coat that should be applied before the bottom paint, that would be really annoying.

[fritz]

It's less prep-work and cost having it applied before the boat goes in the water. Make sure they paint everything that ends up in the water, except for the zincs: trim tabs, engine mount, and the part of the engine that remains in the water even when lifted.



You might also want to consider ceramic coating the hull, again considerably cheaper when the boat is new.



Extremely happy with Biocop TF antifouling paint in the Pacific Northwest.



-Fritz

[Trevor]

I would anti-foul prior to launch as you know the very first paint will be a beautiful job. Of course a short trip from the commissioning yard to the location of the hard stand for anti-foul is fine but I would have it painted as soon as possible.

[shenandoah]

Davem,
I am surprised that anti-foul is not included in the commissioning process. It was us. It would be helpful to know what kind of water. If it is going into a fresh water lake that is very different than salt or brackish water. The temperature of the water makes a big difference as well. 

Our boat stays in relatively warm brackish water, great for oysters (the ones you eat not the ones you sail). So not only is anti-foul an immediate need it is also necessary to clean the hull at least monthly. That might not be the case in cold fresh water. 

Hope that helps. 

Warm regards,

Chuck Osborne

[davem]

Thanks for the replies and advice,

OK so the general consensus is get the work done prior to putting the boat in.

Chuck, anti-foul not included in the Commissioning but I will contact the agent and arrange.  The boat is getting delivered to Phuket, Thailand so is indeed warm salt water therefore any growth will be accelerated.

Fritz, not sure Ceramic coating is an option in Thailand but I have a few months to look into this.

Again Gents, thanks for the replies.

Dave.

[akatius]

Hi,

Curiously, we are getting our brand new 795 S2 in a couple of weeks and our dealer "refused" to put the antifouling on. It was part of the commissioning we paid for, which of course we are not paying for now. They claim that they had several new boats last season that developed blisters within the first few months, and that this caused a lot of problems. They claim that these boats need to be in the water for several months before the antifouling should be applied. They have offered to do this in the autumn, at the end of the season.


I would be interested to know if anyone has had similar feedback? The boat will be used exclusively on lakes in Germany.

Cheers,
Jussi

[fritz]

Sundance in Seattle applied the bottom paint before I took delivery (795 s1), no issues.

[lynnardm]

Jussi

I’m not an expert on bottom paint. But I’ve talked with dealers, painters, and boat owners over the years and I’ve never heard of waiting to apply bottom paint due to blisters. Rather, I’ve heard that you better get it done right away or within a week or so (depending upon the time of year) of getting the boat in saltwater or bottom growth will present problems. I also understand that fresh water doesn’t present the concern for critters growing on the bottom. And locally I’ve seen our dealer keep boats in freshwater for months without a worry .

Capt’n Lynn

[MartyB]

If a trailerable boat. Bottom paint is not a big deal until you keep in in the water for 1-2+ months depending upon salt vs fresh. OR, if you live on a lake or equal, and can get the boat literally out of the water on a lift when not in use, bottom paint is not needed.
New boat, as noted, for near me in salish sea, Sundance paints ALL there boats before going in the water assuming water moored, and Marine Servicenter does the same with sailboats. THen Ranger Tug/Cutwater have there boats painted before being shipped by a local yard. I see many at Defiance/Arima, Safe Boat, Invemtech/lifeproof boats, Allied Aluminum boats.......ALL of these plants have a tendency to pre bottom paint before shipping. Granted a type that takes drying out before or after going in.

Marty

[shenandoah]

Jussi,
I am not an expert on avoiding blisters, frankly from what I do know I thought this was no longer a concern because of improved processes with building fiberglass boats. The advice you have been given does sound strange. Having said that, if you are boating in fresh water lakes in Germany I would think you would be fine waiting. 

I assume that Jeanneau has the same three year warranty on motor boats in Europe as they do for sailboats in the US. If so I would follow the dealers advice and then make sure they are accountable if that advice turns out to cause a problem. 

My guess is the bottom paint has no relation to the blisters, they just don't want to have to repaint it under warranty, but that is just a guess. 

Good luck!
Chuck 

[akatius]

Thanks for all the replies!

I tend to follow the dealer's recommendation in this case, I can't force them to do something they don't recommend or want to do. I will apply the bottom paint after the season. The boat will be on the water all the time, so we'll see if there's any way I can clean it regularly. In a recent conversation with them, they admitted that this only has to do with Jeanneau, not other brands they sell. They believe that something has changed in the way the Polish boat builders have prepared the boats in recent times, as they have never had this problem ( blistering) before. For some customers, they have left the new boats (delivered late last year) in the water for a few months over the winter (still in wrap) so that they can paint them before handing them over in the spring. Too late for us though.

Perhaps we should all pay attention to this with newly built Jeanneau boats - the dealer seems to be serious about it.

Cheers,
Jussi