Sailboat Bottom Paint Master List
To help you select the best sailboat bottom paint for you, this page lists major sailboat bottom paint products with short descriptions. This page isn’t meant to be a buying guide, it is only a list for the sake of keeping track of what the market is offering and the resources that manufacturers provide to inform buyers about their product.
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General Bottom Paint Resources
2015 California List of Bottom Paint Leach Rates
This list categorizes the leach, or release, rates of copper-based bottom paints, for regulatory purposes in California. Generally, the faster the leach rate, the stronger the antifoulant. This list can be very helpful when trying to match the strength of an antifoulant to the fouling strength in your locale. Generally, the warmer the water is the stronger the antifoulant that is required. As of 2018, to protect marine life, California mandated that the maximum leach rate of copper antifoulant is 9.5 µg/cm2/day. Since this list was published, major paint manufacturers have reformulated most of their products in order to comply with California’s new requirements.
Pettit antifouling Paint
Pettit Paint is headquartered and manufactured in North Carolina, USA and is a MRT (Modern Recreational Technologies, LLC) brand. MRT owns several other brands that focus on high-tech coatings and fuel additives.Ultimately, Pettit and MRT are owned by RPM International, Inc., a multi-national publicly-traded specialty coatings company.
Resources
Main Pettit Antifouling Link: https://pettitpaint.com/products/antifouling-bottom-paint/
Quantity Calculator: https://pettitpaint.com/how-to-advice/quantity-calculator/
Pettit Perfect Protect Paint Picker (very cool tool for selecting Pettit paint products): https://pettitpaint.com/how-to-advice/perfect-pick/
Use this tool in combination with the information below to pick a bottom paint.
Pettit Antifouling Compatibility Chart: https://pettitpaint.com/media/4893/pettit-paint_antifouling-compatibility-chart_technical-bulletin_85x11_5-16-2023.pdf
Pettit Underwater Metal Antifouling Process: https://pettitpaint.com/media/5719/pettit-paint-technical-bulletin-underwater-metals-systems.pdf
Econea Copper-Free Bottom Paint: https://pettitpaint.com/media/4774/pettit-paint-econea-copper-free-biocide_technical-bulletin.pdf
Pettit Bottom Paint Products
Odyssey: Pettit’s premium, solvent based, multi-season, ablative bottom paint line.
Odyssey Triton: The most premium ablative paint in the Odyssey line. Triple-acting antifouling ingredients: copper thiocyanate, Econea, and zinc omadine. Available in several, bright colors.
Odyssey 60: High copper content, more value oriented, fast-dry. Aimed at boat yard professional applicators.
Odyssey HD: High copper content, copolymer technology increases controlled polishing ability and toughens paint. Advertised as multi-season protection.
Trinidad: A very long running (50+ years) line of hard, modified-epoxy antifouling bottom paints - Favored: considered the gold standard of hard bottom paints, albeit expensive. Provides long lasting protection that is very serviceable by a diver; stands up well to cleaning. Some report over five years of service, when applied correctly. With regular cleaning, will wear uniformly to require some sanding when it’s time to repaint.
See a video explanation of the Trinidad line here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pYrIKOn2d5c
Trinidad XSR: Triple antifouling ingredients: copper thiocyanate, Econea, zinc pyrithione. Attempts to limit environmental impacts due to less copper content. Safe for primed aluminum.
Trinidad Pro: High copper content (65%). Cupperous oxide-based. No additional additives for slime protection.
Some colors are offered in 3-gallon containers - which can save you money.
Trinidad 75: Slightly less copper (61%) than Trinidad Pro. Based on the original Trinidad formulation. Cupperous oxide-based. No additional additives for slime protection.
Antifouling Speed Coatings: Performance Paint: High performance, multi-season bottom paints. Both are expensive.
ViViD: Hybrid hard/ablative paint. Copper thiocyanate and zinc pyrithione for anti-slime protection. I have cleaned this paint (in white). It is an excellent bottom paint that stands up well to diver cleaning. Many bright colors available. Multi-seasonal. Can be burnished for an extra-slick finish.
Softer than the hard paints in the Trinidad line, but harder than most ablatives. Provides slightly less antifouling resistance than Trinidad paint. Pettit’s “Perfect Paint Picker” suggests ViViD in waters with less fouling (colder) waters and Trinidad in higher fouling load (warmer) waters.
Black Widow: Ultra-slick racing paint. Similar antifouling active ingredients to ViViD. Four slickening agents: molybdenum disulfide, PTFE, graphite, and silicon. Can be polished to a mirror finish. Multi-seasonal.
Hydrocoat: Water based, Multi-season, Ablative Bottom Paint (contains copper-free options and bottom paint for inflatables) - consider especially if you are sensitive to fumes while applying. Self-polishing copolymers. Can be used in saltwater, but particularly shines in fresh water due to lower fouling load of freshwater.
Hydrocoat: An lasting product in the Pettit line. Low VOC, water-based, resistant to abrasion. Copper active ingredient. Contains PTFE slickening agent. Seasonal. Good for trailering.
Hydrocoat Eco: Multi-season ablative. Similar properties to Hydrocoat, but copper-free active ingredients: econea, zinc pyrithione.
Pettit Inflatable Boat Paint: Cuprous oxide active ingredient (NOT for aluminum hull dinghies), abrasion resistant.
HRT: “Hybrid Reactive” Technology Antifouling Bottom Paints - Pettit’s budget alblative bottom paint option, eco-friendly copper variation available. A harder ablative than the Odyssey line.
ECO HRT: Copper-free ablative. Hybrid technology to provide a durable ablative that resists buildup. Econea and zinc pythrione active ingredients. Safe on aluminum.
HRT Premium: Multi-season ablative. Cuprous oxide active ingredient (37.5%). Additives to resist paint buildup over time.
Neptune HRT: Water-based, copper active ingredient (cuprous oxide 25%). Additives to resist paint buildup over time.
Unepoxy HRT: Seasonal, copper based (cuprous oxide 24%) ablative. Most budget friendly option.
Thinners and Prep: Don’t forget these! Bottom paint often needs to be thinned before applying. Prep and thinning is important to obtain a top quality paint job. Look at Pettit’s product documentation for specific prep and thinning instructions.
Interlux Antifouling Paint
Resources
Interlux Fouling Control Home: https://www.interlux.com/en/us/boat-paint/antifouling
Interlux Technical Support and Guides: https://www.interlux.com/en/us/support
Interlux Paint Guide (similar to Pettit Paint Picker): https://www.interlux.com/en/us/paint-guides
Interlux Common Problems Guide: https://www.interlux.com/en/us/support/boat-paint-defects (good, quick reads on common bottom issues such as blistering, excessive fouling, etc.)
Interlux Bottom Paint Compatibility Guide: https://www.interlux.com/en/us/support/boat-painting-tips/is-my-new-antifouling-compatible
Interlux Bottom Paint Products (International Paint, LLC)
ACT: (Amazon Link) Single-season ablative, budget option, scrubbing not recommended.
Aqua-One: (Amazon Link) Water-based ablative, copper ablative, consider especially if you are sensitive to fumes while applying. Scrubbing not recommending.
Fiberglass Bottomkote Aqua: - Water-based, durable, copper ablative. Mainly aimed at new boats. Low VOC, can be applied indoors.
Fiberglass Bottomkote NT: (Amazon Link) “New Technology” Bottomkote, dual resin technology providing a hard, ablating surface that can be scrubbed. Designed for consistent, smooth self-polishing for a smooth, fast finish.
Micron - Interlux’s Premium Ablative Paint Line
Micron 66: Favored (Amazon Link): this is a great ablative paint, though expensive, that has proven to perform well in a variety of conditions over multiple seasons. Interlux’s premium, multi-season ablative. Self-polishing, copolymer, ablative. Additional anti-slime additive “Biolux”, self-polishes without movement. Formula relies on chemical reaction inside the paint for polishing, not force of moving water. Looses potency in brackwish (low salinity) water.
Micron CF: (Amazon Link) Interlux’s premium copper-free, multi-season ablative. Bright colors available. Similar copolymer, self-polishing technology as Micron 66 in a non-copper formula. Uses Biolux and Econea antifouling active ingredients.
Micron CSC: (Amazon Link) Multi-season, copper-based ablative with controlled polishing to minimize paint buildup. Not recommended for boats that sit for long periods of time. Wide range of colors available for a copper-based antifouling.
Micron Extra SPC: Multi-season, copper-based abalative with SPC technology for self-polishing without water flow. Similar to Micron 66, without added “Biolux”.
Micron Navigator: Multi-season, copper-free ablative with added “Biolux”. Biolux and Econea antifouling active ingredients. Water-based. Safe for all surfaces including aluminum.
Micron WA: (Amazon Link) Multi-season, copper ablative, water-based, low-odor, controlled polishing. “Water Activating” technology.
Pacifica Plus: (Amazon Link) Seasonal copper-free antifouling with “Biolux” anti-slime additive. Econea and Biolux active ingredients. Safe for all surfaces including aluminum.
Trilux 33: (Amazon Link) Primarily developed for aluminum hulls, but safe for all surfaces. Ablative, uses cuprous thiocyanate instead of cuprous oxide for compatibility with aluminum, while still providing a copper-based active ingredient. Added “Biolux” for slime resistance. Ideal for fast-moving boats such as planing dinghies with aluminum hulls. Bright colors available.
Hard Bottom Paints
Ultra-Kote: Hard-finish paint for heavy fouling areas. High cuprous oxide content. Modified epoxy formula, low VOC, stands up to diver cleaning well.
VC Offshore: (Amazon Link) Performance paint: Hard, racing paint treated with metallic copper and “Biolux”. For offshore powerboat and sailboat racing applications. Formulated with a fluoro-microadditive that creates a hard, smooth and low-friction surface.
VC Offshore Regatta: (Amazon Link) Performance paint: Interlux’s highest performance paint. Copper active ingredient .Dries very hard, then polished to a mirror finish. Highest performance paint offered by Interlux.
Total Boat Bottom Paints (Jamestown Distributors)
Note: Jamestown Distributors (JD) is a direct competitor to West Marine; West does not carry JD products. JD has focused their business heavily on DIY boaters, and has a heavy Amazon presence. Many of their products are eligible for Amazon Prime delivery. All of the product links posted in this section will be directly to JD’s products listed on Amazon.
Resources
Main Total Boat Antifouling Link: https://www.totalboat.com/collections/antifouling-paint
Total Boat Bottom Paint Support (essential a FAQ): https://support.totalboat.com/hc/en-us/sections/360009642994-Bottom-Paint
Total Boat Bottom Paint How-Tos (Excellent knowledge base): https://www.totalboat.com/pages/bottom-painting
Bottom Paint Compatibility Guide: https://www.totalboat.com/cdn/shop/files/totalboat-antifouling-compatability-chart-v4-2023.pdf?v=6772029373468240413
Total Boat Bottom Paint Products
JD Select: Single season, water-based, cupperous oxide active ingredient (25%), ablative. Low VOC and water-based is good for those sensitive to chemical smells. Not for aluminum hulls. No additional anti-slime additives.
Spartan Multi-Season Ablative: Multi-season, higher cupperous oxide load (38%) ablative. Co-polymer, self-polishing ablative technology. Can be burnished and scrubbed. No additional anti-slime additives.
Krypton Copper-Free: Copper-free ablative paint. Available in many, bright colors. Active ingredients: zinc pyrithione: 4.80% (slime resistance), tralopyril: 6.00%. Advertised as single season, Practical Sailor has reviewed this paint and it has outperformed others over multi-seasons (constant exposure, not relaunched) up to 18 months.
Underdog: Single season, ablative, cuperous oxide active ingredient (25%). Total Boat’s budget oriented paint. No anti-slime additives. Note: I have used this paint several times as a single-season paint and would not recommend it. It tends to build up, requiring removal. It’s price is attractive, but will require significant sanding every season in order to control thickness.
Alumipaint AF Aluminum: Specifically formulated for aluminum-hulled boats such as dinghies and pontoon boats. Also suitable for steel and iron. Copper-free. Active ingredients: zinc pyrithione: 4.8% (slime resistance), tralopyril: 6.0%
Inflatable Boat Bottom Paint: Ablative, water-based, single season bottom paint formulated for inflatable boats. Cuperous oxide active ingredient (25%). NOT for aluminum-hull boats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pYrIKOn2d5c
West Marine Brand
In construction.
