new boat bottom preparation

[passagesfromtheheart]

I had a recent conversation with a Com-Pac friend who mentioned prepping the bottom of a new boat before splashing for the first time. He could not recall the name of the product, but believed it to be some sort of special kind of wax.

To clarify, I won't be painting the bottom of the boat with anti-fouling.

My understanding is that the "special wax" product does help protect the bottom of the boat, hence the reason for its application prior to splashing the boat for the first time.

Does anyone, by chance, know to which kind of product my friend was alluding?

Tips appreciated! Thanks!

[crazycarl]

Can't help you with the product name, but racers use it. Supposedly it prevents growth all season, and after pull out, a hosing down is all the hull needs.

[Cpy23ecl]

Maybe this

https://www.westmarine.com/mclube-antifoul-alternative-speed-polish-14136956.html?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=GGL_PLA_Boat%20Maintenance_Low%20Margin&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22699256293

[soilgod]

read the comments on this product on the West Marine website.  This stuff is good for a weekend, not extended times.  A clean hull in cold Lake superior water is the best bet, but will still accumulate bottom scum. 

Fast Great lakes sailors mostly use properly applied VC-17, ablative copper bottom paint.  The fastest boats pull and gently sand the bottoms before big races.

Just my 2 cents.

[crazycarl]

This is the product I referred to.

https://store.auroramarine.com/vs721-bottom-coat.html

[Amedaius]

The boat version of a ceramic finish for cars really. I know a couple sailors that swear by it, but they also just use regular ablative anti-foul on boats that are kept in the water. Let me know your experience with it if you try it out!

[passagesfromtheheart]

This is the product I referred to.

https://store.auroramarine.com/vs721-bottom-coat.html

Whoa -- and wow! I am totally intrigued -- this product could be the answer to my prayers, Carl -- thanks so much for this info!

[passagesfromtheheart]

Thanks, everyone, for all of the suggestions -- I'll keep you posted on how things end up. It's a bit daunting with a brand spankin' new boat -- the precious factor, if you know what I mean. ;-)

[kickingbug1]

     i removed what was  left of the bottom paint years ago and painted it with rustoleum. i wax it just before the season starts and wash it down in November. still looks good

[passagesfromtheheart]

OK, an update:

Earlier today, I called Aurora Marine Products and had a conversation with the "Skipper" (customer service, who I think might be the owner of the company, actually -- a GREAT guy, btw!) about the VS721 product as well as some other prep work products he recommended using in conjunction with VS721. To save a bit of $, I ended up purchasing the bundle package as seen here:

https://store.auroramarine.com/fouling-release-kit.html

As I'm particularly sensitive to smell of offensive chemical stuff, I asked him about the scent of the VS721 -- he described it smelling like "peppermint." I asked about safety equipment to prepare and he said eye covering (sunglasses is what he actually said) and gloves. No mask or anything like that.

I will use the scrub first, let it dry, then treat with one coat of the VS721. Let it cure for 24 hrs. and then add another coat. Let that cure 48 hours and then I will be good-to-go for the season. Repeat the process next season.

This product is not intended for keeping a seasonal slip sort of arrangement, but for what I'm doing -- occasional overnight on the water (I said up to 5 consecutive days in the water -- think CLR!) -- he said the product will work well. I'm excited to try it -- I will keep everyone posted on what I think. Evidently, the product is popular, mostly amongst people who race boats (power and sail); he told me sales went up by over 450% on the product this year!

Not sure what I will do as far as lifting the boat up off the trailer, still, to access parts of the boat where the bunk touches the underside of the hull... working on that. Found this product that looks interesting -- but it is PRICEY:

https://boatstands.com/product/blt4-boat-lift/?srsltid=AfmBOooWyGDdpQenHibyoFmcF8_xYErXFh8HZWHb0wWufLXZQ-tabdAN