best sailboat bottom paint

Sailboat Bottom Paint: 10 Best Paints

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

If you leave your boat without protection, it's beyond question that it will start attracting several marine organisms such as slime, algae, mussels, barnacle, and seaweed. This will cover the bottom of your sailboat and may negatively affect your boat's speed and fuel efficiency.

This is exactly why you need to apply the best sailboat bottom paint on your boat.

The freedom that sailing and being off land gives you are immense and almost unmatched.

But do you know that having multiple organisms such as algae, slime, barnacle, seaweed, and mussels grow on your boat can throw everything out on the wind and leave you with a very unreliable boat?

These pesky hangers will put a huge dent in your boat's speed, its movement, fuel efficiency, and overall aesthetic.

That's why you need the best sailboat bottom paint to greatly minimize any damage that might be caused to your boat's hull by marine biological growth.

Also known as antifouling paint, bottom paint is essentially a paint or coating that's specifically designed with elements that prevent various marine organisms such as algae, seaweed, barnacles, slime, and mussels from attaching themselves to your boat's hull or any other part of the boat that's below the waterline.

One of the most important elements of bottom paint is the inclusion of a biocide and copper is the most common. This may, however, depend on the type of boat that you have, how, and where you always use it.

But because there's an ocean of bottom paints out there on the market, choosing the best sailboat bottom paint can be an overwhelming task for most of us.

Fortunately, you can always count on us to make it a lot easier for you. We've gone through many bottom paints and we do not doubt that we've selected the most effective, reliable, and best sailboat bottom paint.

Our unbiased selections will not only match your needs and budget but will be available in a variety of colors to complement and augment your boat's visual appeal.

Table of contents

What to Consider when Purchasing Sailboat Bottom Paint

If you're on the market for the best sailboat bottom paint, it's crucial to go for top quality; something that will offer efficiency, top speed, and excellent performance for your sailboat. With that in mind, here are a few things to consider before spending your hard-earned money on bottom paint.

Your Sailing Location

Where are you planning to sail? Is it on a freshwater body or in a saltwater location? This is essential in helping you determine whether to go for a bottom paint that's meant for saltwater, freshwater, or both. It's generally recommended that you go for a bottom paint that will serve you perfectly well in both freshwater and saltwater. This gives you the versatility of sailing anywhere without worrying about marine organisms damaging your boat's hull.

Launch Time and Recoat Time

It's important to keep in mind that bottom paint products have specific launch time limits. The idea here is to ensure that you launch it within the required timeframe and ensure that recoating is done as required. You should, therefore, choose a bottom paint that offers a lengthy launch and recoat time while offering durable protection for your vessel is the right thing to do.

Type of Boat

You should determine whether your boat is made of wood, fiberglass, or aluminum and go for bottom paint that's suitable for that particular surface. Many bottom paints work perfectly with fiberglass but some work great with aluminum or wooden surfaces.

The Fouling Condition

Having a deeper idea of the type of fouling that you might deal with can be crucial when buying the right bottom paint for you. Whether you're dealing with slime, algae, mussel, or any other type of marine organism, knowing the type of fouling you're dealing with will make it a lot easier to pick the best sailboat bottom paint for your vessel.

Best Sailboat Bottom Paint

Rust-oleum marine flat boat bottom antifouling paint.

As one of the most respected brand names in the bottom paint industry, Rust-Oleum is known for producing some of the best sailboat bottom paint and the Marine Flat Boat Bottom Antifouling Paint is one of them. This bottom pain is designed to be suitable for various conditions (both freshwater and saltwater) and is designed with moderate copper that works great if you are environment-conscious.

This bottom paint does an excellent job of offering a protective coating to ensure that your boat is free of all sorts of unwanted marine organisms. You'll love this paint because it is thick and spreads so easily and will not be a problem even if you're a beginner. This bottom paint offers top-notch antifouling properties and is very easy to apply as long as you use a soft brush and mix it carefully. This is a great bottom paint choice that will offer a sleek multi-season finish and ensure that your boat's hull is always awesome and in great condition.

• ‍ Easy and simple to apply
• Great for both freshwater and saltwater
• Offers gentle fouling conditions
• Excellent in antifouling
• Offer a sleek and awesome finish
• ‍ Quite expensive
• Has a very strong smell that can cause headache

Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote Antifouling Paint

This is another great brand that is considered as one of the best bottom paint in the sailing world. Even though it's a bit pricey, it offers great features that will ensure that your boat remains in tip-top shape. It is an excellent option if you're looking for a sailboat bottom paint that brings to the fore a unique dual resin approach.

This is a very reliable bottom paint that will not only prevent your boat's hull from the effect of marine organisms but also prevent premature deterioration. It offers an awesome polishing action and is perfecting if you want to discard unnecessary paint buildup. This bottom paint is also very economical and a small quantity will cover a considerable surface area of your boat's bottom.

This is, without a doubt, a superb buy in terms of its practicality and economical nature. It is excellently formulated to prevent marine organisms from damaging your boat and also to ensure that premature wear and tear doesn't exist in your vocabulary.

• ‍ It's formulated with a unique dual resin approach to prevent premature wear and tear
• It prevents early decline
• It prevents unnecessary paint buildup
• Great for ensuring that your boat is fuel effective
• Great for all conditions (both freshwater and saltwater)
• ‍ It's expensive
• The quantity and size can be misleading

TotalBoat JD Select Bottom Paint

As one of the few bottom paints that's formulated with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), this bottom paint is one of the most cost-effective on this list. With one gallon, you can easily cover about 400 square feet and the application is a breeze since it's even much easier to clean up.

When you purchase this bottom paint, the package will come complete with a pair of latex gloves, a wooden stir stick, an abrasive pad, a metal tray kit, a paint suit, a roller, a painter's tape, and many more. The inclusion of all these accessories makes it a quite cost-effective purchase.

Again, this is one of the most durable bottom paints. Apply it on your boat's hull and you're guaranteed that it will offer excellent protection for the next 18 months. On the downside, this paint is too thick and you'll have to buy an excellent thinner for it to work perfectly.

Nonetheless, this is an ablative bottom paint that is easy to apply and does an excellent job of protecting your boat's bottom for close to two years.

• ‍ Perfect for all conditions
• Easy to apply and clean up
• Can improve your boat's speed and fuel efficiency
• Comes with all accessories required for the paint job
• It's one of the best water-based bottom paint products in the industry
• It contains low VOC
• ‍ You'll need a top-quality thinner for it to work perfectly

Aquaguard Water-based Antifouling Bottom Paint

An excellent choice for both wooden and fiberglass boats, this is the most perfect bottom point for saltwater conditions. This is a water-based bottom paint that's very easy to apply and clean up (using soap and water) and is formulated with an ablative action that makes it superb for preventing any marine organism that may negatively affect your boat.

This is a bottom paint that is EPA-approved and surpasses the set VOC standards. It has an extended shelf life and offers durable protection for your sailboat. It doesn't contain toxic fumes and is great even for novices. Its drying time is also excellent, so you won't wait for far too long to get your boat out there on the water.

• ‍ Excellent for saltwater conditions
• Application and cleaning is very easy
• It's approved by the US EPA
• You don't have to use a primer
• ‍ The color selection is limited
• A bit pricey

Pettit Hydrocoat

This is another water-based bottom paint that offers outstanding ablative properties that will protect your boat from marine organisms throughout the seasons. It offers good value for money and is easy to apply and clean up with just water and soap.

We're talking about a bottom paint product that will protect your boat's hull for months on end. You also do not need a full tank of the paint to complete the job. With just a single gallon, you can be sure to complete an area as big as 430 square feet.

This is also one of the few bottom paints that can perfectly prevent your boat from damage when being trailered, launched, or beached. More importantly, it's not irritating to the nose and eyes because it has low VOC.

• ‍ It will dry in 3 hours
• It's easy to apply and clean up
• It offers multi-season protection
• It's not irritating to the eyes and nose
• It's quite economical
• ‍ May not be the best in antifouling
• You have to apply at least two coats

SEA HAWK PAINTS Aluminum Boat Paint

One of the best aluminum boat paints in the market, this bottom paint is formulated to offer quick-dry corrosion-blocking, high-solid features. This bottom paint is specifically manufactured to be used in aluminum boats and doesn't require the addition of any primer.

While it doesn't have an antifouling feature, it stands out and can be used both below and above the waterline as it is risk-free and free or chromate. It is also formulated to offer a unique dual resin approach and can be used both as paint and a primer at the same time.

This is a great paint for both freshwater and saltwater conditions and can be applied as a primer or topcoat on a fiberglass boat. This is an excellent sailboat boat bottom paint that's worth every coin as it is practical, versatile, and can combat both rusting and lifting.

• ‍ The application and cleanup process is easy
• Great for both freshwater and saltwater conditions
• It doesn't require a primer
• Can be used as primer or topcoat in fiberglass boats
• Can prevent rusting and lifting
• It has quick-dry and anti-corrosion features
• ‍ Can produce deadly fumes

TotalBoat Spartan Boat Bottom Paint

If you've been looking for a practical, reliable, and cost-effecting bottom paint that will offer durable performance and protection, the Spartan Boat Bottom Paint. Perfect for both freshwater and saltwater, it can be perfect for protecting your boat and ensuring that it is fuel-efficient and reliable.

This bottom paint is formulated with advanced copolymer ablative to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate instantly. This is a very dependable bottom paint that will serve you perfectly throughout the year and will ensure that your boat easily defies fouling while reducing unnecessary buildup and sanding on your boat.

This is a very adaptable bottom paint that not only offers great value for money but is very easy to apply. More importantly, it is very durable and will protect your vessel for at least 12 months on any type of water.

• ‍ Great for all types of water
• It offers a very durable protection
• Available in a wide variety of color selection
• Offer a visually appealing abrasion-proof finish
• ‍ The included accessories aren't up to the right quality

To this end, we must put a lot of emphasis on the importance of having the right bottom paint for your boat. In addition to being an antifouling agent, bottom paint will significantly increase the fuel efficiency of your boat and ensure that it performs optimally at all times. Of course, you do not want to diminish your sailing escapades or have your nice and beautiful vessel damaged by marine organisms just because you didn't apply the right sailboat bottom paint. If you're unsure how to proceed, here's how to paint a sailboat.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Practical Sailor Tests Reveal Best Bottom Paints

Find out which antifouling paints keep barnacles at bay for multiple seasons..

Our annual bottom paint report comes on the heels of some important news regarding the use of copper-based antifouling paint in California. Facing strong opposition from boat owners in the state, Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) has decided not to pursue SB 623, legislation she authored to further restrict the use of copper-based paint in the state.

California officials have been searching for ways to reduce the apparently toxic levels of copper in some local waterways for several years. A recent study in San Diego showed the effectiveness of copper-free paints (see PS , March 2011 ), adding more support to the anti-copper cause, but the Recreational Boaters of California (RBOC) and others opposing the bill argued that the study was unrealistic and that there was no compelling scientific evidence to support a copper ban.

While Californias anti-copper push has stalled for now, the movement continues to gain momentum elsewhere. Last year, Washington state passed legislation prohibiting copper-based antifouling paint on new boats sold after 2018 and banning the use of bottom paints with more than 0.5-percent copper on recreational boats after 2020. The Netherlands, Sweden, and some places in Denmark have already banned the use of copper in paint. In the end, it might be the ingredients high cost, not environmental concerns, that drives manufacturers to new copper-free formulas.

WHAT WE TESTED

Practical Sailor is simultaneously testing three panel sets: one that has been in the water 36 months, another for 20 months, and a batch of 26 new paints that has spent nine months in the water. For details on the 36-month panels, see page 12. For our first look at the new paints, see page 10.

This article focuses on the 20-month panels and is supplemented by the tables on pages 8 and 9. The panels comprise 56 different antifouling paints that PS began testing in November 2010 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in Sarasota, Fla. All panels were inspected in June 2012. Participating companies include Blue Water Paints, Interlux, Epaint, Pettit, and Sea Hawk.

Our Value Guide tables are divided by paint category, hard and ablative. These names can be confusing, particularly as more paint makers are introducing hard ablative paints.

The chief determinant in how a paint is categorized is the way it works-the process by which biocide, if present, is activated. However, from a practical standpoint, the key distinction is the maintenance regimen.

Long after theyve lost their antifouling ability, the paint pigments and resins in a hard paint remain on the hull, building up with each recoating. Ultimately, the boat owner faces a flakey, layer-cake of built-up paint that will need to be completely sanded off. Hard paints, as the name implies, are hard, so they hold up well to cleaning, wet-sanding, and trailering-although many hard paints lose their effectiveness if stored out of water for long periods. (A pre-launch wet-sand or vigorous scrub will often reactivate a hard paint stored out of the water.)

Ablative paints wear away, so they don’t build up thick layers. There are two main types-bottom-tier workboat ablatives that slough away with water friction to activate more biocide, and more expensive, copolymer ablatives that release biocides at a controlled rate, which theoretically reduces the amount of copper required for long-term protection. Several ablatives are advertised as hard paints, suitable for trailering and light scrubbing. Our nine-month panel set includes some newly introduced dual-resin ablative paints that claim improved resistance to abrasion.

Most paints are formulated for specific needs: freshwater paints, aluminum-safe paints, racing paints, water-based paints (easy for the do-it-yourselfer to apply), and eco-friendly paints. The best performers in each of these subcategories are designated with a Recommended check mark in the Value Guides. Freshwater sailors should keep in mind that our saltwater test is particularly hard on freshwater paints, and these paints will do much better in lakes for which they were designed. Except where noted, our Recommended paints will provide excellent protection in fresh water, but many of these paints would be overkill for that environment. PS recommends that sailors in smaller lakes steer clear of high-copper saltwater blends to help protect the more fragile closed ecosystems.

HOW WE TESTED

The paint samples were applied to 6-foot-by-2-foot fiberglass panels for testing. Testers followed the makers instructions for preparation and application.

Prior to rating the paints, testers sluiced the panels with a bucket of salt water. Paints were rated Excellent (no growth), Good (light soft growth), Fair (moderate to heavy soft growth), and Poor (hard growth). Any paint rated Fair or better is considered to be continuing to meet its designed purpose.

A Recommended paint performed best overall or rated best among its specialized peers (best aluminum-safe paint, best water-based paint, best racing paint, etc.). The Budget Buy paints are the least expensive among the Recommended paints.

Antifouling tests involve many uncontrolled variables, and we recommend supplementing our data with local knowledge from independent sources. How and where you use your boat, as well as your maintenance regimen, can affect longevity and performance.

Based in North Brunswick, N.J., Blue Water Paints makes several general-purpose antifouling coatings that have fared well in our previous tests. In the hard paints category, the Irgarol-boosted Copper Pro SCX 67 Hard scored Good. Economy-priced Copper Shield 45 Hard held its spot at Fair, keeping barnacles away. Blue Water ablative paints were led by the higher-priced Copper Pro SCX 67 Ablative which rated Good, followed closely by the Copper Shield 45 Ablative. The biocide-boosted Copper Shield SCX 45 Ablative scored Fair, as did the aluminum-safe Kolor.

Blue Water Paints are also available under the MarPro label at boatyards or from distributor Donovan Marine ( www.donovanmarine.com ). The maker had five paints that made it to 36-month mark (see the Antifouling Paints at 36 Months table).

Epaint specializes in copper-free paint, and several types have done well in previous PS tests. The companys top-tier products are among the most expensive in our tests, and because some of its photo-active blends require three coats-versus two required by most makers-the price per square foot is generally higher than conventional paints. The firms two photo-active blends, Z0 and the slicker Z0-HP, faired much better. Both products rated Excellent at 14 months, but in this check-up, they were clearly near the end of their useful lives. ZO-HP was the cleanest of the two, but it was in the bottom half of the other Fair-rated paints when it came to combatting slime. Epaints only ablative blend, Ecominder (one of the few ablatives designed for fragile freshwater environments), failed at the 14-month mark, but it is not designed for high-fouling areas such as our test site.

Of the six Interlux hard paints we tested, the water-based Bottomkote Aqua had a good year with a Good rating at the 20-month mark. A copper-loaded hard paint boosted with Irgarol, Ultra scored Good at the 20-month mark. VC Offshore high-performance racing paint slipped from Good to Fair. Interluxs two hard, freshwater paints VC 17m and VC 17m Extra were unable to fend off barnacles in the harsh saltwater environment, but both have rated highly among PSs freshwater sailors.

In the ablative category, the Irgarol-boosted Fiberglass Bottomkote ACT continued its hold on the budget-priced blends with one of the few Good ratings among ablative paints. Perennial long-term contender Micron 66 also scored Good. Micron CSC and Micron Extra VOC both dropped from Good to Poor. Interluxs new budget-priced Bottomkote Pro had failed at 14 months. Bottomkote XXX, a soft workboat paint that is available only in Canada and is not recommended for frequent scrubbing, gained ground on competitors with a Fair performance. The reformulated, low-copper Pacifica Plus was one of the cleaner Fair panels, showing only moderate soft growth. The aluminum-safe Trilux 33 rated Good at 14 months and then dropped to Poor.

PETTIT/WEST MARINE

Pettit, a Kop-Coat brand, competes alongside Interlux for the largest share of the recreational antifouling marketplace. The company also manufactures West Marine-brand paint. In the ablative paint category, water-based Hydrocoat, one of Pettits more popular DIY blends (also sold as West Marine Ablative, formerly marketed as West Marine Pure Oceans Ablative), held on to its Fair rating. Horizons was one of the cleaner Fair panels. Two ablative blends that fared well in the 14-month checkup-Ultima SR-40, a $170-plus, copper-based paint boosted with Irgarol, and the budget-priced Ultima SSA-showed hard growth this time, dropping them to Poor ratings. Of the two other Pettit blends sold under the West Marine label, West Marine CPP, dropped from Good to Poor during the six-month interim, while West Marine PCA Gold, which was among the highest rated paints at 14 months, held on to its Good rating.

Pettits hard paints were generally more successful against hard growth than its ablative blends. The new Copper Guard, a single-season paint used by boatyards, was still potent, earning a Fair rating. Super Premium, now discontinued but still available at some retailers for around $200, rated Good. The long-time hard-paint favorite among warm-water sailors, Trinidad, also scored Good. Two related blends, Trinidad Pro and the Irgarol-boosted Trinidad SR, one of the few survivors on our three-year panels, scored Fair. Budget-priced Unepoxy was still holding off hard growth, but showed thicker soft growth compared to its higher-priced peers. Unepoxy Plus, which has a higher copper content than Unepoxy, also earned a Fair rating but showed less growth. The West Marine-branded Bottomshield, a budget-priced paint that uses copper-composite technology to control the release of copper and prolong protection, dropped from Fair to Poor. Vivid, a popular low copper hard paint that is available in a wide variety of bright colors, was free of hard growth and rated Fair.

The conventional blends from Florida-based Sea Hawk paints consistently held barnacles at bay for 20 months, although like many makers, its eco-friendly blends suffered. Ablatives with additives dominated the field of top performers for Sea Hawk, with the Irgarol-laced Cukote Biocide Plus and two zinc-boosted paints, Biocop TF and Islands 77 Plus, scoring Good. Of the three, Biocop TF was the cleanest, with only a thin layer of slime that easily rinsed away. The trailerable AF-33 and Smart Solutions, the only completely metal-free paint in the test, also repelled barnacles, but had more soft growth than Fair-rated peers. (Smart Solutions has since been reformulated.) In the hard paint category, Tropikote outperformed the Irgarol-boosted Tropikote Plus, while the other surviving hard paints-the budget-priced, single-season Talon and Sharkskin, with slightly more copper content-had fair to moderate fouling that would require some scrubbing.

The 18- to 20-month period is typically the point at which we can clearly see the division between the long-lasting paints suitable for year-round or multi-season protection and those that are only reliable for single-season use. Keep in mind that because we do not scrub or move our panels, you may see better performance-particularly with paints like Interluxs Micron series, which self-polish as a boat moves through the water. Because performance can vary with geography, we also recommend consulting local experts, boatyards, and other boat owners to cross-check recommendations with our list.

Most paints are designed to tolerate cleaning, but if you or your hired cleaner scrub hard at the outset, particularly on some softer ablative paints, you are robbing yourself of expensive protection. Better to use the boat regularly and let water action sluice the hull. If you decide to clean the hull, take a conservative approach. Start with a sponge or T-shirt, and then move up to more aggressive media.

Based on the performance of our 20-month panels, sailors looking for multi-season protection have fewer budget-priced options. In the hard-paint category, only one Good-rated paint was priced under $200, Bottomkote Aqua. Blue Waters Copper Shield 45 Hard, Sea Hawks Talon, and Pettits Unepoxy are also low-budget contenders.

The ablative category offers more options, but again, these were mostly top-tier paints with higher price tags. Interluxs Bottomkote ACT ($140) and West Marines PCA Gold were the two least-expensive paints that rated Good. In the higher price range, Blue Waters Copper Pro SCX 67 Ablative, Interluxs Micron 66, and Sea Hawks Biocop TF, Cukote, Cukote Biocide Plus, and Islands 77 Plus were still offering Good protection. Year-round sailors considering the top-tier paints will also want to look closely at the report on the 36-month panels.

Among aluminum-friendly paints, Epaints ZO and Z0-HP were the only two still barnacle free. Based on our past testing, we don’t expect either to last much beyond the 24-month point. These low-copper paints are also regarded as eco-friendly, and all of the makers have rolled out new lines of eco-friendly paints that we are watching. (See First Look at New Eco-paints and Hard Ablatives.)

Among the racing paints, Epaint ZO-HP and Interluxs VC Offshore were still on top, but both would require regular maintenance. Vivid, also popular with racers, was also barnacle free.

Bottomkote: Aqua looks to be the clear choice for those seeking an easy-to-apply water-based paint, although we have yet to find a water-based paint that consistently reaches the 24-month mark.

Checks indicate Recommended paints in one or more key categories—overall, aluminum safe, water based, eco-friendly, and racing. Budget Buy paints are the least expensive of the Good paints. Prices are estimates and do not include shipping. Copper percentages are by weight, so paints with heavier solids in the resin may have more total copper, but a lower percentage.

• First Look at New Eco Paints and ‘Hard’ Ablatives

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We have been using (and recommending) Blue Water Copper Shield 45 Ablative for 7 years based on Practical Sailor recommendations and excellent results. Until this year. Blue Water has been acquired by Sea Hawk. Neither the gallon of Copper Shield 45 Admiral Green nor quart of Shelter Island Plus White purchased in April 2020 would mix without leaving huge numbers of ‘chunks’ that needed to be strained out. The Sea Hawk rep essentially blamed our experience on our mixing (even though we have never had this issue in almost 40 years of bottom painting….) and says their test sample of the Copper Shield manufactured in January 2020 is fine, and the Shelter Island can they sold wasn’t manufactured by them, so it’s not their problem. After this experience, I will never buy or recommend Blue Water or Sea Hawk paints again.

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Which Bottom Paint Should I Use?

What is Boat Bottom Paint?

Bottom paint is applied below the waterline on your boat, and typically refers to antifouling paint that prevents marine growth from clinging to your hull. Barnacles and slime can slow you down and increase your fuel costs because the engine has to work harder to move your boat through the water. A bottom full of barnacles and weeds can also put you in harm’s way because it can seriously hamper your ability to maneuver.

The key antifouling ingredient is some type of biocide for deterring hard marine growth such as barnacles and mussels. Some antifouling paints also include an algaecide for preventing soft growth like algae, slime and weeds. There are many different antifouling coatings, making it hard to choose the paint that’s right for your boat and your budget. Some coatings work better in different locations, including fresh or salt water. Some are more environmentally friendly than others, and some cost more based on the amount and type of biocide, and the protection they provide.

Do I Need Bottom Paint on My Boat?

If you pull your boat out of the water every time you use it, you probably don’t need bottom paint. But if you keep your boat in the water all season, or if you take your boat out of the water periodically, such as on a trailer or lift, then yes, you should apply bottom paint to prevent hull fouling. Same goes whether you keep your boat in salt water or fresh water.

What are the Different Types of Antifouling Paints?

All bottom paints are not the same and will not be effective for all boats, in all waters and fouling conditions, and for all types of boating. Bottom paints are usually one of two types: hard or ablative, with variations that are effective based on how much time the boat spends in the water and how often it moves. For example, hard bottom paints are effective for a single season, and they build up season after season, eventually requiring costly removal. Ablative paints come in single-season and multi-season varieties and don’t build up.

Ablative Bottom Paint

Ablative paint is designed to gradually wear away as water flows beneath the hull, either from use or from the movement of tides and currents. Fresh biocide is exposed as the paint layers wear away, preventing marine fouling organisms from attaching to the surface. Some ablative paint formulas are for multi-season use, and some are effective for only a single season. Also, ablative bottom paint can be copper-based or copper-free, and water-based or solvent-based. For most ablative paints to work effectively, motion is required, so this paint is best if you use your gets frequent use.

Self-Polishing Copolymer Ablative Bottom Paint

This type of antifouling paint also wears away gradually to expose fresh layers of biocide, but the self-polishing properties of its controlled-release copper copolymer formula make it work whether the boat is at anchor or underway. Some copolymer ablatives are effective for multiple seasons, and need only a light scuffing to reactivate the antifouling in the spring, just before launching.

Hybrid Copolymer Ablative Bottom Paint

Hybrid bottom paints are self-polishing and release biocides at a controlled rate like copolymer bottom paints do, but hybrid paints can be burnished–like a hard bottom paint–for smoothness and speed. Unlike hard bottom paints, hybrid paints have less buildup to remove next season.

Hard Bottom Paint

A hard bottom paint coating doesn’t wear away like an ablative coating does, it just loses its biocide over time. The biocide in hard bottom paints leaches constantly while the boat is in the water, whether the boat is moving or not. Hard paints lose their effectiveness once all the biocide leaches out. Because hard bottom paint doesn’t wear away, it builds up and has to be sanded down before reapplying bottom paint the next season. Also, hard bottom paints generally become rendered inactive one the boat is hauled out of the water, so they’re best for boats that remain in the water for extended periods. They’re also ideal for racing boats or boats operated at faster speeds because the hard paint coating can be burnished to increase smoothness and speed.

Questions to Answer Before Buying Bottom Paint

What is my boat made of.

When it comes to choosing bottom paint, substrate (surface) is a big consideration. Do you have an aluminum, fiberglass, steel or wooden boat? Most bottom paints contain some type of copper biocide, which is suitable for fiberglass and wooden boats, but not for aluminum. The copper in the paint causes galvanic corrosion, which will destroy an aluminum boat or pontoon boat. For antifouling protection on aluminum boats and underwater metal parts, you have to apply a copper-free bottom paint .

Inflatable boats made of PVC, Hypalon or other materials also need bottom paint if they’re left in the water for long periods. Ablative bottom paints designed for inflatable boats won’t crack after drying or peel while you’re rolling up the inflatable for storage.

Where Do I Use or Keep My Boat? Location is Everything!

What are the fouling conditions in your area? By ‘area’ we mean not only the geographic location, but the specific harbor, and even your location in the harbor. Why? Because the fouling conditions can be that location-specific. Is the fouling light, moderate, or heavy in your part of the harbor? Typically, more biofouling occurs in waters that are warm and still, rather than colder waters where water flow is unrestricted.

Is My Boat in Fresh Water or Salt Water?

Barnacles, algae and slime are the bane of boat owners who do their boating in salt water. And even though boats left in freshwater don’t have to worry about barnacles, they can still get slimy and grow green beards. If algae slime and algae are a problem, you’ll want a paint that contains an algaecide such as zinc pyrithione (this applies to copper-free biocides, too). If you do your boating in freshwater lakes, look for bottom paints designed specifically for freshwater fouling. Why pay for extra protection you don’t need?

How Often Do I Use My Boat?

If you use your sailboat or power boat frequently, ablative bottom paint is a great choice because it’s most effective when the boat moves through the water to release fresh biocide. If you don’t use your boat as often and it spends a lot of time at the doc or on the mooring, your best bet would be a self-polishing copolymer paint that’s effective whether the boat is moving or not. In addition, brief boating seasons are suitable for a single-season antifouling paint , but for a longer boating season, it can be more effective and economical to apply a multi-season bottom paint . If you trailer your boat, a harder ablative antifouling paint that can withstand trailering and beaching might be the way to go.

Do I Want to Use My Boat for Racing?

If you want to race your boat or you just want to make your boat go faster, use a thin film bottom paint, a hard modified epoxy bottom paint, or a hybrid bottom paint that can be burnished. Burnishing involves wet sanding or using a Scotch-Brite® pad to make the surface smoother.

Should I Use Solvent-Based Bottom Paint or Water-Based Bottom Paint?

Environmental restrictions in some areas prohibit the use of solvent-based paints due to their high VOC (volatile organic compound) content. If this is the case, you can apply a water-based, low VOC bottom paint . Water-based bottom paint offers easy cleanup and is very effective against marine fouling.

A common misconception about water-based bottom paint is that it will dissolve and leave the hull with no antifouling protection once the boat is in the water. Not true. Once cured, the water in water-based bottom paint evaporates and leaves a protective film containing the biocide.

Should I Use Copper-Based or Copper-Free Bottom Paint?

Again, environmental restrictions may dictate the use of copper-free antifouling bottom paint. Typically, a higher percentage of copper in the paint means it’ll be more effective at combating shell fouling. But copper-free bottom paint containing the eco-friendly biocide Econea™ (tralopyril) has proven very effective on shell fouling such as acorn barnacles and zebra mussels. If you have an aluminum boat, you have to use a copper-free antifouling paint to avoid galvanic corrosion, which will destroy aluminum. Underwater metals also need bottom paint that’s copper free .

What Type of Bottom Paint is on My Boat Now?

If there’s bottom paint on your boat now, it’s really important that your new bottom paint is compatible with the old bottom paint. You don’t want your new paint to peel, so you need to find out what the previous paint is. If you can’t determine that, you’ll need to strip off the old paint completely and start over. Antifouling paint formulas change often, but here are some general compatibility and surface preparation guidelines. For best results, read the bottom paint manufacturer’s recommendations.

How Much Do I Want to Spend On Bottom Paint?

Typically, the higher concentration of biocide a bottom paint has, the more expensive it will be. Hard bottom paints are typically less expensive than ablative antifouling paints. Among the ablative marine paints, the single-season ablatives are typically less expensive than the multiple season ablatives.

How Much Bottom Paint Do I Need?

The amount of bottom paint varies depending on how big your boat is and how heavily you apply the bottom paint. Refer to the paint manufacturer’s details on coverage amounts (typically given in square feet per gallon). Here’s an easy formula for figuring out the square footage of your hull below the waterline, where you’ll be applying bottom paint.

Length (in feet) x Beam (in feet) x .75 Here are some typical estimates for various types of boats. These estimates assume you’re applying two coats, and that you’ll be coating the surface as thickly as possible without drips or runs.

How Often Should I Bottom Paint My Boat?

How long does boat bottom paint last? Depends on the type of bottom paint you use and your boating conditions. Typically, you should apply bottom every year, but there are some bottom paints that last multiple seasons. If you use your boat regularly or keep it in the water, check it every year to see if you need to reapply bottom paint.

Hints to Help You Choose the Right Bottom Paint for Your Boat

• Ask other boaters in your local marina – they’re a prime source of information about what works and what doesn’t in your particular location.
• If you want to paint in the fall and launch in spring without repainting, choose a multi-season self-polishing copolymer paint . This type of bottom paint has an unlimited launch window.
• All bottom paint manufacturers have a chart that shows the compatibility of their bottom paints with those of existing brands. Be sure to take a look at the compatibility chart before you buy.

TotalBoat Bottom Paint Comparison Chart

* Krypton provides full-season protection in salt water, where the water flow is unrestricted. It can provide multi-season protection in fresh water conditions. If you have any questions about which bottom paint to use, please call our Tech Support Team at (800) 497-0010.

Krypton Copper-Free Antifouling Bottom Paint

JD Select Water-Based Bottom Paint

Underdog Boat Bottom Paint

TotalProtect Epoxy Barrier Coat Primer

TotalFair Epoxy Fairing Compound

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Decorate and Repair Your Ride With the Best Boat Paints

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No matter what type of boat you own, painting it and adding a bit of personal flair is always fun. When it comes to painting your boat, the possibilities are endless. Whether you choose to add a colorful stripe to the side or repaint the entire boat’s body, using high-quality, durable, and long-lasting paint is essential.

Boat paint is one of the most impactful ways to personalize or change your boat. You can either paint over existing colors or change up the pattern and style entirely. Regardless of how you choose to paint your boat, you first need to decide on the right boat paint for your DIY project. That’s where we come in! Check out our guide to the leading boat paints of 2024 so you can achieve that perfect look while out on the water.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: TotalBoat Boat Paint Shop Now ➔
• Easy To Use: Duralux Boat Paint Shop Now ➔
• Quick Drying: Rust-Oleum Boat Paint Shop Now ➔
• 1 What Is Boat Paint?
• 2 What Are the Types of Boat Paint?
• 3 Topside boat paint
• 4 Bottom paint
• 5 Wood boat paint
• 6 Tips When Using Boat Paint
• 7 Use the right type of paint
• 8 Follow the instructions carefully
• 9 Give ample time for the paint to dry
• 10 Choose the right colors

Can boat paint be used on all parts of the boat?

When should i paint my boat, does boat paint last forever, related reviews, what is the quality boat paint in 2024, best overall.

TotalBoat Boat Paint

Boats are almost always left exposed to the elements, which is why you’ll want a boat paint that will last you for years to come. The TotalBoat Boat Paint is a solid choice for any boat lover and has more than 20 colors to choose from, including aqua mist, sea foam, and fire red. The paint leaves behind a gloss that’s bright and is sure to stand out among other boats at the dock. This boat paint is incredibly easy and simple to apply. You don’t need to be an expert to give your boat a good coating with this seamless paint. Thanks to this boat paint’s bold profile and numerous color options, we’ve chosen it as our best overall pick, particularly for those who want to try painting their boat for the first time.

• Glossy and durable finish
• Up to 20 colors to choose from
• Self-leveling formula
• Not all colors are always available

Easy To Use

Duralux Boat Paint

For many, painting a boat can be a risky endeavor. Owning a boat isn’t very cheap, and making a mistake during the paint job can lead to stains and errors that are difficult to fix. So, unless you can afford professional help, you may not want to take the plunge. Fortunately, painting a boat isn’t rocket science and with the help of the Duralux Boat Paint, it can be a fun and easy task. The paint only needs two thin coats with either a brush, roller, or airless sprayer. As long as you don’t paint your boat under the sun, you’ll get consistent and reliable results with this paint. The range of colors is a little bit limiting, but if you can get past that this boat paint is a strong first choice for novice boat owners.

• Very easy to apply
• Can be applied with various tools
• Long-lasting finish
• No warm color options available

Quick Drying

Rust-Oleum Boat Paint

Are you pressed for time or just itching to head into the water as soon as possible? The Rust-Oleum Boat Paint offers a quick and easy solution to all your problems. This paint dries in as little as one or two hours, which means you can start boating on the very same day you apply the paint. With a formula that retains its gloss over time, your boat will look as good as new for months or years to come depending on how you maintain it. While this boat paint only offers eight color options, it has a nice range of colors and most boaters are sure to find exactly what they’re looking for. If you’re okay with neutral color tones, such as sand beige or battleship gray, this fast-drying boat paint is a great investment.

• Dries very quickly
• Retains its gloss
• Great for use on fiberglass
• Not many color options

Boat Paint Buying Guide

If you’re looking to paint your boat, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will go over the basics regarding boat paint.

What Is Boat Paint?

Boat paint refers to paint that’s applied to various parts of the boat. Depending on the type of paint, it may be applied on the top or bottom side of the boat. Keep in mind that certain types of paint may be more useful in certain situations than others. Boat paint usually leaves behind a glossy finish that gives your vehicle a nice tone that really pops when out on the water.

Because boat paint is made to last, you can expect a coating to stay in good condition for months or even years to come. How long your boat paint lasts will vary depending on how often you use your boat, where you’re boating, and how you store your boat when not in the water.

What Are the Types of Boat Paint?

Topside boat paint.

Topside paint is paint that’s applied on the top half of the boat, or the part of the boat that isn’t submerged in the water. While this type of paint can get wet, it’s used mostly for decorative purposes rather than protective purposes. You can get topside paint in a variety of colors and they can dry as quickly as one hour after application depending on the formula.

While topside paint may not be as protective as bottom boat paint, it’s still great for keeping your boat protected from harsh UV rays. Even your boat can feel the effects of the sun after weeks or months of exposure and a good coating of topside paint can prevent any UV damage from occurring on your boat’s hull.

Bottom paint

Bottom paint is a type of paint that’s applied to the bottom half of the boat, or the part of the boat that’s submerged underwater. This type of paint isn’t always visible as it’s under the water, but depending on how clear the water is you may be able to get a glimpse of it. Where bottom paint truly shines is in its ability to protect the boat from organisms in the water.

There are many critters in seas and lakes that can cause damage to your boat over time. Weeds and barnacles are some of the most common culprits. Bottom paint minimizes the chances of these critters from getting on your boat, ensuring it stays in good condition for much longer.

Wood boat paint

Wood boat paint is a type of paint that’s applied to wooden parts of the boat. These paints are not as long-lasting as other paints but are great if you want to preserve the wood finish on your boat.

Tips When Using Boat Paint

Use the right type of paint.

There are many types of boat paints that are used for certain applications. Before you think about the color or finish of the paint, first consider where you’re applying the paint. Are you trying to protect the bottom of your boat? Will you be adding color to the topside? Ask yourself these questions before buying so you can be sure to choose the correct type of paint, then you can choose the color.

Follow the instructions carefully

Paint is pretty easy to use and apply, but not all paints are the same. Depending on the formula of the paint, you may need to apply it a certain way or use specific tools for the best results. Even if you have experience painting walls, floors, or other surfaces, boats are a different thing entirely. You should always follow the instructions on the product packaging.

Give ample time for the paint to dry

Some paint formulas take overnight to dry, while others take only one or two hours. While you may be tempted to take the boat out for a ride as soon as the recommended drying time is over, it never hurts to wait one or two more hours just to be on the safe side. Unless you can comb over every inch of where you painted, it’s always a good idea to give the paint just a little extra time to dry. After all, the paint will be there for months or even years to come, so an extra hour won’t hurt.

Choose the right colors

Choosing the right colors for your boat paint can be a tricky task depending on how you want the paint to look. If you’re looking to simply paint over some scratches, it’s not too difficult to find the right color, but if you want to redecorate the hull that’s a different story. Think about what colors you like and how you want your boat to look. You may also want to consider the location itself, or where you plan on using the boat. These considerations may be trivial, but they’re worth thinking about if you want your boat to look nice in the end.

People Also Asked

No. There are certain types of boat paint used for specific parts of the boat, such as the topside or bottom.

If you feel like your boat could use a new paint job or if your boat has scratches from damage done by docking, it may be time to repaint your boat.

While boat paint formulas are made to last for as long as possible, these paints do not last forever and you will eventually have to apply another coat in the future.

Article Contributors

Sail magazine review team.

SAIL Magazine Review Team reports on best-selling products in sailing and boating. The SAIL Magazine editorial staff is not involved in the creation of this content. SAIL Magazine is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The SAIL Review Team is composed of authors, editors, and sailors. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.

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Choose the Right Bottom Paint

• By : Glen Law
• Updated: September 21, 2007

Nobody likes to think about bottom paint, but everybody likes to think about his checkbook – or at least preserving its contents. Second to preserving fishing time, saving money – especially when it comes to boat maintenance – is something we’re all interested in. Even the guys who you’d think have better things to worry about than fuel consumption sit up and take notice when their choice of bottom paint can save them some serious bucks.

Case in point: When the J&T;, a 61-foot Viking, was delivered to Johnson & Towers, Inc. (the big marine diesel distributor in Baltimore), it sported a coat of standard Viking-issue ablative bottom paint. “We’d requested a different paint, but it just didn’t happen,” recalls J&T; skipper Dave Shinn. “They put on the paint they regularly use, the self-cleaning type.”

The J&T; fishes the Atlantic from New Jersey through the Caribbean each season, so water conditions and distances covered are extreme. The boat logs 1,500 hours a year.

“We left the original Micron CSC paint on, and we ran with that until it was time to repaint the bottom,” says Shinn. “Then we switched to the Interlux VC Offshore we had requested, the paint we were most used to.

“Once we switched to the hard paint, we noticed a big difference. Our speed stayed the same, but when we started comparing fuel logs from before the change to after we replaced the soft paint with hard paint, we discovered we had gone from 120 gallons an hour at cruise speed to 110 gallons an hour. And that’s not just on a single trip; it’s consistent with what we’ve recorded in our fuel logs over the past ten months we’ve been running with the VC Offshore.”

Return Investment

Granted, few of us run our boats 1,500 hours a year, or range as far and wide as the J&T; does. But all things are relative, and a nearly ten-percent savings on anything is worth paying some attention to. Look at it as return on investment.

Most of us who paint our own hulls, or who direct the boatyard to use a specific product, decided long ago which brand and type of bottom paint we like best, and we’ve pretty much stuck with it. But things change – water conditions, boat usage, even climate – and all of these variables have a lot to do with the type of paint that’s most efficient. Therefore, it pays to reassess from time to time the way you use your boat. Maybe you keep it in a different place than you did when you chose your paint originally. Maybe you’ve changed the species you most fish for or the amount of running you do. Maybe the quality of water you fish in has changed. The demands you make on your bottom paint can be as varied as the waters you fish and the species you seek.

While there are a number of bottom paints on the market from several major manufacturers, there are really only a limited number of choices you can make. Quite simply, there are “hard” paints and there are “soft” paints, each for a different purpose, and in those two categories there are weak, moderate and strong toxicity levels, which indicates the amount of the toxic ingredient, or biocide, that kills the things that want to live on the bottom of your boat. John Ludgate, vice president of sales and marketing for Pettit Marine Paint, explains some of the differences.

Ablative Vs. Hard

“There are two kinds of paint: ablative, which wears away by itself, and hard, which means the copper biocide leaches out and leaves the paint behind looking like Swiss cheese. At the end of 12 to 18 months you have to sand off this residue and apply a new layer of hard paint.”

Marine bottom paint comes in different varieties, each designed for a specific application or location.|

Ablative paint requires less maintenance, says Ludgate. “You don’t have to sand it to apply more paint. Like a bar of soap, the whole thing removes itself at a controlled rate, taking the organisms with it.”

Why you would choose one over the other has to do with the way the boat is used, as well as the level of maintenance you are willing or unwilling to take on. Another consideration, says Ludgate, has to do with the characteristics of the paint itself.

“Trailered boats and dry-storage boats require special consideration. Once you take a hard paint out of the water, the copper oxidizes and loses its effectiveness. Then it has to be sanded and repainted before you put it back in the water. With an ablative paint you don’t have to do this.”

There are advantages to both kinds of paint, and perhaps the biggest factor in choosing between ablative and hard is how the boat is used. “For high-speed running you need hard paint,” explains Ludgate. “At speeds of over 25 or 30 knots, ablative paints dissolve much faster. Fishermen who want to run 43 knots out to the canyons prefer a harder, more durable paint that will hold up to the wear of high speeds.”

Another benefit of hard paint is its “scrubbability.” In Southern California and parts of Florida, bottom cleaning is done on a regular basis by divers with scrub brushes, and a hard paint is essential for this kind of treatment. “Other guys will put on an ablative paint, which doesn’t build up on the bottom, so a complete stripping job is seldom necessary,” says Ludgate. “Pettit sells more hard paint than ablative, because that’s what most people have traditionally used, but the trend these days is more towards ablative as people recognize the benefits of less maintenance.”

How Powerful?

Once you’ve established the way you use your boat, and thus the kind of paint you need, you’ll want to consider the strength of the biocides based on the type and ferocity of bottom-fouling organisms that live in your area.

Jim Seidel, the assistant marketing manager for Interlux, explains a systematic approach to reviewing your particular needs. “Geography is a major consideration,” he says. “Different climates support different organisms, which require different paints. Florida is different than Maine. Tropical waters are much tougher on anti-fouling paint than are cold northern waters. In the tropics you need something that is a little more powerful and will hold up a little longer.”

Water type can vary within the same general locale, too. “Here in New Jersey, inshore and offshore are not the same,” says Seidel. “Some bays will be different, too. For example, the eastern side of the bay may be more salty, so on that side you’ll have more animal fouling, while on the west side there’s more slime fouling. It’s a salinity issue. And some areas, such as the mouth of the Connecticut River, have a lot of slime and grass growth – especially in the early spring after everybody puts lawn fertilizer down, so the paint can become overwhelmed. Another spot, Boston Harbor, was long notorious for high fouling because of sewage discharge that put a lot of nutrients in the water.”

The choice of bottom paint can affect performance and economy, depending on how and where a boat is used. |

These special demands, especially for slime control, have recently been answered by paint manufacturers through the addition of a booster biocide, particularly irgarol, a biocide recently approved by the EPA. Interlux calls it Biolux, and it’s available as a dual biocide in the company’s top-of-the-line paints, both hard and ablative. Pettit includes the same chemical in its premium paints, and designates it with the SR – “slime resistant” – moniker. By any name, it’s an additional biocide that, when combined with the regular copper additive, increases bottom protection in especially demanding conditions – the kind that are likely to change over time in response to climatic change and nutrient runoff.

Booster biocides are state-of-the-art in the world of bottom paint, but another trend under development is the non-metal, non-stick surface – a paint so slick that nothing can grow on it. This approach is not yet commercially viable, as the products that have so far been developed require weekly wipe-downs, a type of maintenance that many find too demanding. But it’s an approach that is likely to be developed over the next few years, so we may want to keep an eye on it.

So, what’s the “bottom line?” Every once in a while it may pay to reconsider the paint you’ve been using. Runoff from that subdivision up the street from your marina might just be making the aquatic environment a lot friendlier for nasty underwater organisms, so you may need a boost in biocide. Or, if you’re running longer distances or putting on more hours each year, a different type of paint may just be more economical. Hey, an annual savings of ten percent in fuel costs wouldn’t be too hard to take!

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Best Boat Bottom Paint. Antifouling Paint Reviews

Confession time: when I was a teen, the boat maintenance job I hated most of all was doing the boat bottom paint. It was a nasty job, and it always seemed I got more of the goo-y, sticky paint on myself than I got on the boat. My father would explain that it’s very important to use good bottom paint to protect the hull from barnacles and sea life, but that stuff didn’t matter to me at the time.  I just didn’t want to do the painting.

As I grew up, I saw the importance of good antifouling paint, and no longer think that it’s such a bad process. 

In this article, I’ll review several of the best antifouling paints available. We’ve also got a buyer’s guide that goes through the details to inform your decision. We’ll start with a comparison table to get oriented, and then look at the Best Boat Bottom Paint , the Trilux 33 Antifouling Paint by Interlux.

Best Boat Bottom Paint

Our top choice: interlux yba068/1 trilux 33 antifouling paint, key points at a glance.

• Can cover between 266 and 400 square feet per gallon
• Biolux tech prevents slime growth
• Comes in black, white, and blue
• For fiberglass, wood, steel, and primed aluminum

The Details

Our top choice of antifouling paint is the Trilux 33 from Interlux. Interlux has been making this type of paint for ages, and the Trilux 33 works great. This paint is reasonably priced, works well on a vareity of surfaces, and coats pretty consistently. The Trilux 33 uses an advanced formula, which is more effective at blocking fouling in areas where organisms are more heavily concentrated.

The Biolux technology used in its formulation has specifically been created to prevent the adhesion of slime and other soft kinds of fouling to the exterior of your hull.

This paint comes in black, blue, and white, so if you’re going for a cleaner, bright look for your vessel’s waterline, then this is a great option. The ablative nature of this paint also means that it’s easier to reapply once it has worn off.

This paint is designed to be used in saltwater, freshwater, and brackish water. But if you’re going to be boating in sensitive waters, it’s always wise to confirm that this stuff is ok for your environment.

It’s recommended that you apply two coats of this paint, and it can be painted on with a spray nozzle, a brush, or a roller, depending on what you have available. Effective coverage per gallon ranges between 266 and 400 square feet per gallon, depending on the application method.

The Trilux 33 is an excellent balance between price and quality, and is the Best Boat Bottom Paint. Note that it’s also compatible with aluminum pontoons .

• Powerful antifouling paint
• Uses the latest Biolux technology to block slime
• Suitable for fiberglass, wood, steel and primed...
• Size: 1 Gallon
• Color: White

Our Runner-Up: TotalBoat Underdog Boat Bottom Paint

• Comes in black or red
• Dries in one to four hours
• Includes a roller, paint tray, and cover
• 1 Gallon covers up to 400 sf

TotalBoat is a relative upstart brand compared to the established brands like Interlux and Pettit. That said, this stuff is good, and reasonably priced! However, despite this product’s relatively low price point, it is quite effective at preventing fouling, making it excellent value for money.

The Underdog paint comes available in either black or red, depending on whether you want it to look low-profile or if you want to opt for a classic red bottom hull. Keep in mind that this is ablative bottom paint, which is better used on boats which are frequently taken out into the water.

As time goes by, new layers of biocide are exposed due to the paint sloughing off of the hull. This also ensures that you can repaint the bottom of your boat without having to chip away too much left-over bottom paint.

Underdog is also meant to be one of the most durable ablative paints, and it can withstand being trailered without scratching off.

This paint comes in gallon buckets, and each gallon of it is sufficient to cover 400 square feet of hull. Underdog is designed to protect your boat for a single season, and it’s recommended that you use it in low-fouling areas to prevent it from being overwhelmed. Regardless, most users find it sufficiently effective at keeping the hull clean.

The paint takes between one and four hours to dry, depending on how much of it has been applied and the environmental conditions. If you’re looking for ablative anti-fouling paint at a reasonable price point, this product from TotalBoat is an excellent choice and is our runner-up among the Best Boat Bottom Paint.

• ECONOMICAL ANTIFOULING BOTTOM PAINT provides...
• EFFECTIVE MARINE PAINT prevents barnacles from...
• FOR USE ON PROPERLY PREPARED FIBERGLASS, WOOD,...
• EASY TO APPLY: Use a natural bristle brush, or a...
• AVAILABLE IN GALLON SIZE IN BLACK, BLUE AND RED...

Best Budget: Rust-Oleum 207012 Marine Flat Boat Bottom Antifouling Paint

• Can be applied over previous coatings
• Usable on wood, steel, and fiberglass
• Freshwater and saltwater-capable
• Covers 110sf per quart

This next product from Rust-Oleum is one of the most affordable options on this list, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to save. Though users should note that it comes in 1 Quart containers, which makes it ideal for small applications.

The Rust-Ooleum Bottom Paint features an ablative formula that will slowly release new biocides over time. It can dry within four hours of application, and ready to use within 16 hours (weather dependent).

Each can of this bottom paint contains a quart, which is enough to cover 110 square feet of hull. Since there is less paint when compared to some other brands, the Rust-Oleum antifouling paint is recommended for the owners of smaller vessels who don’t have much painting to do.

This paint can also be applied directly over old coats of fouling paint, provided they are still in reasonably good shape. This paint can be used in up to medium fouling conditions without too much trouble, and it is designed for both saltwater and freshwater.

You can find this paint in both blue and black colors, and it can be applied to a wide range of different materials, making it versatile. It is ideal for boats that are made out of fiberglass, steel, or wood.

If you only need a small can, this is the best antifouling paint for those on a budget.

• Ideal for use on fiberglass, wood or steel...
• Formulated to slowly release copper in order to...
• Able to recoat in 4 hours, to launch in 16 hours...
• Protective coating resists buildup of barnacles,...
• Hard, smooth finish provides a flat sheen over...

Best for Racing: Pettit Paint Black Widow Bottom Paint

• Features four slickening ingredients
• Dual biocides protect in all seasons
• Can be burnished
• Covers 440sf/gallon

For those who like to get their boat up to speed, the Black Widow Antifouling paint from Pettit is for you. It’s designed to keep you going fast while preventing the accumulation of organisms. As you would expect from the name, this paint is a glossy black, so it will look good on most boats, no matter their color.

If you don’t like the black color, the paint can even be burnished until it has a metallic sheen (this won’t affect the antifouling qualities of the paint).

This paint uses two different biocides to provide coverage in all sorts of waters. The paint can be applied with the use of a roller, a spray gun, or a brush.

This paint is suitable for both sailboats and powerboats, and it features an ultra-slick sheen that will help get you that little bit of extra speed. Thanks to its potent formula, it will also prevent the growth of organisms for a longer time than some of the more affordable paints it’s up against.

The slickening ingredients in this paint include silicon, graphite, molybdenum disulfide, and PTFE. If you’re trying to get every bit of performance out of your boat, then you mustn’t overlook even the smallest detail, so this is our main recommended antifouling paint for performance boaters.

But the price stings like a Black Widow!

Best for Efficiency: Interlux Micron CSC Antifouling Paint

• Low-Copper Micron technology uses copper efficiently
• Designed for multi-season use
• Comes in six colors
• Coverage: 440sf/gallon

There is still plenty of debate as to whether the copper oxides used in antifouling paint can cause damage to the ecosystem, but if you’re trying to minimize the amount of copper in your paint, Micron CSC is the right choice. The micron technology in this paint makes the production process more efficient, allowing less copper to do the same job as more used to.

This antifouling paint is also designed to be used in most seasons, as it features several different biocides which are specialized against different seasonal organisms. This type of paint can also be polished to the point that it’s almost reflective, ensuring that your boat gleams while it’s out of the water.

Since this paint wears off more uniformly than other kinds of ablative antifouling paints, it will be easier to reapply it evenly when the season has ended. This paint is also durable enough for the boat to be trailered after application without having to be reapplied.

This paint is reasonably priced, and its quality is certainly on the money! You can find Interlux’s Micron CSC paint available in many different colors, including blue, white, red, black, and more, so you have a degree of leeway when it comes to your boat’s look.

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Best Boat Bottom Paint Buyer’s Guide

When traveling through the water in a boat or a ship, it’s often easy to forget that you share the vast blue expanse with many other organisms, some of which are small, and some of which are large. The smallest of these organisms can be microscopic, and they often cause the most trouble for marine vessels.

Organisms such as barnacles and weeds aren’t exactly picky when it comes to where they make their home, and they can often root themselves into the outer hull of a boat. This is known as fouling, and it can adversely affect the performance of a vessel by increasing its degree of hydrodynamic drag, slowing the sailing speed .

A smoother boat will go faster through the water, and the irregular shape of biofouling can severely disrupt that smooth shape. Throughout history, humankind has adopted a few different methods to prevent ships from fouling. The earliest examples include ancient greeks using pitch and horsehair to prevent the growth of organisms on their trireme warships.

During the age of sail, massive wooden vessels were “coppered.” That is to say that they had the bottom surface of their hulls coated with a sheet of copper, which prevented organisms from attaching to the vessel. As time went on, ships stopped being made of wood, but coppering continued in another form: antifouling paint.

Antifouling paint was (and still is) made with copper oxides. While the earliest forms of antifouling paint were red due to the presence of copper, modern formulae can be made in various colors, though red is still used on many vessels, though mainly as a matter of tradition.

Who Should Buy Boat Antifouling Paint?

Most boaters, especially those who travel in salt water, must use antifouling paint on their vessels to prevent the buildup of microorganisms that can negatively affect their boat’s performance.

Some freshwater areas require certain types of antifouling paints (eco-friendly), and some paints are for certain types of craft and certain environments.

Important Features to Consider

Type of Paint

There are two kinds of bottom paint, ablative and hard paints. Let’s look at both here.

Ablative Paints

For most civilian uses, ablative paints are used. They are easier to apply, more affordable, and effective enough for relatively infrequent use. Since ablative paint sloughs off as a ship moves through the water, more use will wear it away faster.

Hard Paints

Hard paints can often be reapplied much less frequently, but many of them require heavy-duty tools or a high degree of training to be correctly applied. Some civilian bottom paints are in the middle-ground, featuring aspects of ablative paints and hard paints.

Formulation

The biocides used in the paint can affect the environmental safety of your boat, and high copper-content paints are more harmful to wildlife in the water. Some materials, like zinc, can be used instead of copper and pose less of a threat to fish and marine plant life.

We should also mention that there are antifouling paint alternatives out there that help protect your hull without harming the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should i apply my bottom paint.

You can either apply bottom paint using a brush, a roller, or a spray gun. Whether you use a gun or a brush, be sure to don a respirator due to the fumes. You should also wear a painting suit, gloves, and boots while you’re applying the paint, as you’re bound to get some on your clothes.

Do I need special paint for an aluminum hull?

Aluminum has a chance of interacting strangely with specific formulations of bottom paint, so you’ll want to look for a brand that can be applied to aluminum without any trouble. Most of the time, bottom paint will tell you the kinds of materials that it can be applied to in the product description or on the packaging.

For example, here is an Aluminum Hull Bottom Paint from TotalBoat.

How long do I need to wait before launching my boat?

The time to launch varies from paint to paint, so you should take a look at the instructions on your paint can so that you know how long it takes to dry and when your boat will be ready for launching.

How Many Coats of Bottom Paint Do I Need?

Typically you’re going to be doing at least two coats of bottom paint. If your existing paint is in good shape, and isn’t peeling, you may be able to get away with one additional coat. But if it’s peeling, you’ll need to scrape, sand, and do two new coats. And if you’ve got a fresh, unpainted hull, aim for at least 3 coats. 

Other Products We Looked At:

Pettit hydrocoat antifouling paint.

Hydrocoat from Pettit is another type of ablative antifouling paint, and it features a moderate to high price point and a few notable features. This self-polishing paint ensures that you won’t have to sand your boat’s hull down after the season has ended so you can reapply the next coat.

This paint can also be cleaned off with soap and water, making it a lot easier to remove than other varieties. Thanks to the paint formula, there is no specific dry time to launch, so you can paint the hull when you want to, and it will be ready for use whenever you bring your boat out to the water.

Petti’s Hydrocoat paint is available in green, blue, red, and black, and it is one of the most environmentally-friendly options on the market thanks to its water-based formula. Unfortunately, it’s pretty pricey, and we already have a relatively eco-friendly option in our top five selections.

• Water-based ablative paint
• Self-polishing design makes it easy to reapply
• Limitless dry time to launch

TotalBoat Krypton Bottom Paint

The Krypton paint from TotalBoat is another excellent option for buyers that want something environmentally-friendly. The formula for this bottom paint features Econea and zinc instead of copper, ensuring that it is less damaging to marine life and that it can be used with aluminum boats.

This ablative paint can cover between 350 and 400 square feet per gallon, and it comes included with a roller, a metal tray, an abrasive pad, a paint suit, gloves, and more. All of the included bonuses are extremely helpful if you’re a new boat owner, and you don’t have any of those tools on hand.

Krypton can be used in saltwater, freshwater, and brackish water without any trouble. Unfortunately, like other eco-friendly paints, Krypton is a lot more expensive than other types with similar performance, so it couldn’t get a spot in our top five.

• Available in six colors
• Comes with a wide variety of accessories
• Eco-friendly formulation

TotalBoat Spartan Boat Bottom Paint

Yet another option from TotalBoat, this antifouling paint is the opposite of the previous product. While the Krypton paint featured no copper, the Spartan paint features additional copper in its formulation so that it can be more resilient than your typical antifouling paint.

If you often boat through waters with a huge number of microorganisms in them, then you’ll need some strong paint like TotalBoat’s Spartan. This paint can protect your boat all year, and you can cover 400 square feet of hull space per gallon of it.

This paint is available in blue, black, red, or green, which tend to be the standard colors for bottom paint. The Spartan didn’t make it to our top five as it’s rather expensive, and it’s a more specialized variety of paint that will only be used by a few select buyers.

• High copper content for increased performance
• Smooth finish for better performance
• Available in four colors

Interlux YBB379/1 Fiberglass Bottomkote NT Antifouling Paint

This paint from Interlux is another great choice for boaters who want to go a little faster than the competition. This paint is like a hybrid between hard and ablative paints, as it wears off much more slowly, and it only wears away so that it can polish itself in the water.

As each layer of this paint strips away, it reveals another smooth layer that will keep your boat handling, accelerating, and speeding properly. This is also one of the more affordable paints offered by Interlux, improving its value for money dramatically.

This paint is available in four different colors, including black, blue, green, and red. While this paint may be affordable, we already selected a budget option for our top five, so this type didn’t quite make the cut.

• Dual-resin formula
• Smooths over time
• Lasts longer than other paints

Bottom paint is essential if you’re going to keep a boat performing at its peak abilities. While many kinds of antifouling paint are similar, there are a few key differences between them, and we hope that we’ve been able to clearly outline them for you in our review guide.

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Choosing the Best Bottom Paint

• By Lenny Rudow
• March 7, 2022

Struggling with a bottom-paint dilemma? We’re here to help. There are a lot of different bottom paints out there, so choosing the best antifouling coating for Mom’s Mink can be a challenge. To find out how to make the best choice, we spoke with the pros at West Marine. The most important factors are where you boat and how you use it.

Whether you boat in fresh or salt water and what sort of specific fouling factors exist in your home waters are critical factors. As a result, certain paints are popular in specific geographic areas. Finding out what’s prime in your neck of the woods is as easy as asking.

“We’ve institutionalized this type of information within our associate base,” says Chris Tysdal, merchandise planner for maintenance at West Marine. “As long as a customer can define the type of water and area, what kind of boating they’re doing and performance characteristics, our associates and website do a great job of getting them where they need to go.”

How does the kind of boating you do affect your choice? “There are three main paint technologies,” Tysdal explains. “Ablatives shed material as the boat moves and are self-polishing, so they won’t build up over time, but the boat needs to be used frequently. If you paint with an ablative and don’t use your boat often, you may experience growth. Hard paints work whether you use your boat a lot or a little, but they build up over time and eventually need to be sanded down, which can be a tough project. Hybrids can give you the best of both worlds in terms of performance but lack the longevity of a hard paint or a multiseason ablative antifouling.”

Then there’s trailering and launching to consider. Certain paints are fine for pulling and relaunching a boat frequently, but others are not. Tysdal points out that performance-boat owners have their own special needs. “In recent years, bottom-paint producers have made specific paints [such as Pettit’s Black Widow] that dry super smooth, and seasonal PTFE paints such as Interlux’s VC-17 that go on thin and will be very slick.”

Finally, for many green-thinking boaters, there are two more factors to consider: the base of the paint and the biocide. “Water-based paints such as Hydrocoat, Micron WA or West Marine’s BottomShield are easier on the environment,” Tysdal says. “As far as biocides go, you’re looking for paints that use ECONEA, pyrithione zinc or cuprous thiocyanate. These are either nonmetallic or have much shorter half-lives than traditional biocides, meaning their long-term impacts are much smaller.”

• More: boat maintenance , bottom paint , How-To , What to Look For

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Best Bottom Paint Review

So clearly you have landed on this page because you are on the hunt to find out what is the best bottom paint for your boat. Well, then you are in good hands because we have taken the liberty to write this comprehensive review so that we could help people, just like yourself, narrow in on the best choice for their vessels.

If you plan to store your boat in the water for long periods of time, then it is very important that you take the steps to protect the underside of your hull from the vast amounts of marine growth that will build up in a very short amount of time.

Allowing this type of growth to take place will drastically affect the speed and fuel efficiency of your vessel. If left unchecked, then you will be dealing with more problems than lack of speed and fuel efficiency.

There are MANY different types of bottom paints, also known as antifouling paint, on the market today, and it can become quite the task to choose the right one for your needs. For that reason, we have created this guide to help assist you in finding the right bottom paint for your hull.

Let’s go!!!

Table of Contents:

- The Top 6 Antifouling Paints Reviewed for 2021

1. Interlux Bottomkote NT Review

2. Pettit Odyssey Triton Review

3. TotalBoat JD Select Review

4. TotalBoat Underdog Review

5. Rust-Oleum Bottom Paint Review

6. Sea Hawk Cukote Review

- Bottom Paint Buyers Guide

- What are the Different Types of Bottom Paint?

Copolymer Ablative

Modified epoxy - hard, aluminum safe, water-based, soft sloughing.

- How Much Bottom Paint Do I Need?

- Should I Use Copper-Based or Copper-Free Bottom Paint?

- Freshwater or Saltwater?

- Compatibility to Material or Surface

- Launching and Recoating

- FAQ’s:

Who makes the best bottom paint?

What is the best bottom paint for fiberglass boats, how long does bottom paint last on a boat, how much does bottom paint slow down a boat, where to buy bottom paint.

- Our Final Thoughts

The Top 6 Antifouling Bottom Paints Reviewed for 2021

1. interlux bottomkote nt review (hard).

T he Interlux Bottomkote NT (New Technology) is our top choice because of its dual-resin technology which gives it the benefits of both hard and ablative paints all in one can. You get the best of both worlds with this product.

In order to prevent any paint build-up, Fiberglass Bottomkote will slowly wash away over the course of a boating season providing a long-lasting coat similar to other hard paints. It is also one that works great with sailboats and power boats alike and it bonds well to fiberglass, wood, and prime metals.

It does not matter if your vessel will be spending most of its time in freshwater, saltwater, and even brackish water, because it holds up very well in all situations.

The finish on this Interlux bottom paint is very tough and with the slow self-polishing process it will hold up well to prevent marine growth and can produce season-long protection.

There are quite a few color options for you to choose from that include black, red, dark blue, blue, brown, green and shark white. These colors are chosen by Interlux because of how well they compliment the overall look of most boats.

Color Options:

Shark White

Don’t bypass the preparation instructions in order to achieve the best results, because this top pick allows you to apply the paint and launch your boat the same day due to the fast drying time.

You will have a well protected boat bottom along with a great fuel-efficient finish with our top choice.

For the best results, you will want to apply about 2 to 3 coats of this paint with a roller, brush, or a sprayer.

It is offered up in either 1 gallon or 3 gallon sizes, so it is more suitable for larger vessels or multiple smaller boats that may need painted all at once.

  Pros:

Works well with both sailboats and power boats.

Stays strong in brackish water, saltwater, and freshwater.

Utilizes a slow self-polishing mechanism to prevent paint build-up.

Offers season-long protection from marine growth.

Suitable for fiberglass, wood and prime metals.

The dual-resin technology gives the best of both worlds of ablative and hard paints.

  Cons:

Does not work for aluminum boats.

Does not apply as smoothly or evenly as other paints do.

2. Pettit Odyssey Triton Review (Ablative)

3. TotalBoat JD Select Review (Ablative)

B eing one of the few bottom paints on the market that offer low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), TotalBoat JD Select is very cost-effective and one gallon of this stuff can go a long way. This water-based paint can cover about 400 square feet per gallon and is ideal for fiberglass, steel, and wood boats.

JD Select is very easy to apply and is an absolute breeze when it comes to cleaning up because it is a water-based paint and only requires some soap and water to do the trick. Don’t let that fool you into thinking that it is unable to do its job though. 

JD Select is a very effective anti-fouling paint that has a concentrated biocide in its formula and works well in fresh and saltwater.

Considered a single-season protector, it works well at combating barnacles, weeds, and slime from clinging to the bottom of your sailboat or powerboat.

To get the best results with this paint, you will want to apply 1 to 2 coats with a roller, a brush, or a sprayer. If it seems a bit thick, then you just need to thin it out a bit with a little water beforehand.

Depending on what the temperature is outside, you can reapply additional layers after about an hour and a half wait between layers and then launch the boat in about 6 hours.

The water-based formula makes for easy clean-up

Low VOC and low odor

Easy to apply and dries very quickly

Great for speed and fuel efficiency

Can be applied over most anti-fouling paints

Forms a hybrid paint film that works in fresh and saltwater

Requires a good quality thinner to work well

Does not offer multi-season protection

4.  TotalBoat Underdog Review (Ablative)

T his single-season ablative paint from TotalBoat is best used on fiberglass, wood, and steel boats to provide the best protection from marine organisms, trailering, and beaching. Once this stuff dries, it holds up very well to frequent use and is perfect for sailboats.

If you choose to go this route, you can rest assured that this paint will put up the ultimate fight against marine fouling by releasing fresh biocide, as your boat moves through the water, to repel those pesky barnacles that want to attempt to make a home on your vessel's hull., on top of it being able to combat fouling activities very well, it has great results at preventing paint build-up, which will make it easier to apply fresh coats each year, and who wouldn’t enjoy the fact that it is very economical in price considering the job that it does., a gallon of this paint goes a long way with the 500 square feet that it can cover with each gallon and is easy to apply with either a roller, brush or spraying., underdog by totalboat is best if you apply 2 coats and allow at least one and a half hours of drying time between each coat for temps at 90°f and 3 hours for temps at around 70°f and 6 hours at 50°f. , relaunch of your boat will require a wait time between 6 and 16 hours depending on outside temperatures., perfect for boats that are used frequently.

Fast drying times

Economical price point

Very durable against abrasions from trailering and air exposure, does not require sanding between new applications, works well on wood, fiberglass, and steel, requires xylene to thin it out if you are going to use a spray application, not able to be used in the state of washington or san diego due to the high copper biocide, 5.  rust-oleum bottom paint review (hard).

T his is a hard antifouling paint that is ideal for a cost effective option for avid boaters to protect their hull from unwanted growth that will be spending a lot of time on the water. It is suitable for fiberglass, wood, and primed metals. However, DO NOT use this option for aluminum boats.

Certainly one of the most well known and respected brands in the painting industry, this option will allow you to rest assured that your vessel is well protected from any unwanted marine organisms attaching themselves to it.

This Rust-Oleum Marine Flat Bottom Paint is very thick, but yet it goes on very well as it is easy to spread and provides a nice smooth finish. This paint is even ideal for beginners that want to take on a DIY project because of how easy it is to apply.

It offers top quality antifouling properties and will give you a nice flat finish to keep your boat’s hull protected, looking amazing, and provide multi-season protection.

While this is not a commercial grade product, it is perfect for those boating enthusiasts that keep their boats in the water for long periods of time and for those that are looking for a great deal on a high quality product.

You will want to apply a minimum of 2 coats to the boat bottom for best results along with 4 hour drying times between each coat. It is also best to wait at least 16 hours before relaunching back into the water and should be done within 2 months of applying the paint.

This option is available in quart-sized cans and should be enough to coat about 110 square feet. You can apply this over the top of other antifouling bottom paints and will still get a nice protective seal over old layers.

Note: Be sure to apply in a well ventilated area, use a good quality respirator and wear proper PPE when using this product because it produces VERY strong fumes and has a strong odor to it.

Provides excellent antifouling properties for fiberglass, wood, and steel.

Easy to apply and covers surfaces very well.

Provides multi-season protection.

Works well in both saltwater and freshwater environments.

Durable to abrasions from trailer mounting.

Has a very strong smell to it (be sure to use a respirator and proper PPE)

Only available in Black or Blue

6.  Sea Hawk Cukote Review (Semi-Hard)

T his semi-hard, self-polishing antifouling paint by Sea Hawk is one that is used by many boat owners and has withstood the test of time, and this is why it has made our list as one of the best bottom paints for your fiberglass, wooden or steel boat. This paint is NOT to be used on bare aluminum.

Considering the fact that it is used by some of the most well-known OEM’s like Wellcraft, Hatteras , and Egg Harbor, you can feel confident in this selection knowing that you will be backed by their one year manufacturers’ warranty against barnacle growth.

Using an advanced, copolymer, biocide release technology, Sea Hawk Cukote allows for your boat to be hauled out without the antifouling properties being adversely affected and prevents the buildup of coatings.

While this option does have a very high copper content of 47.5% Cuprous oxide, it will no doubt keep your boat bottom protected even in the most severe fouling areas. If you are looking for a bottom paint solely based on its effectiveness, then this is a perfect option to go with.

Some added bonuses for this paint is that it can be applied over the top of existing paints and has many color options for you to choose from like black, blue, dark blue, red, teal, green, and shark white.

It is recommended to apply 2 full coats to your boat's hull to get the best results with Sea Hawk Cukote antifouling paint.

Highly effective at preventing hard barnacle growth

Open air exposure does not degrade the protective ablation

Offers a 1 year warranty against barnacle growth

Approved for California

High copper content that can affect marine life

Very strong odor

Bottom Paint Buyers Guide:

What are the different types of bottom paint.

Ablative or self-polishing antifouling paints are designed in such a way that as the boat moves through the water, it will slowly begin to wear away and expose a fresh biocide to keep your hull protected from the marine growth.   One of the biggest advantages to this style is that as long as you are using your boat, then you will have very minimal paint build-ups and lessen the amount of sanding needed to be done after haulouts. An added bonus to copolymers is that they contain smaller amounts of the highly debated copper that is in modified epoxy counterparts.   Note: Ablative paints are not ideal for fast-moving boats because it will cause a much more rapid paint loss and therefore you will need to reapply a new layer much sooner to keep your hull protected.

Hard bottom paints allow the water to penetrate much deeper into the paint and causes the copper Biocide to slowly release over time until all of the biocide has been depleted.

Some great benefits to this style is that the hard coating will last until the end of the season, it will stick to any material along with other kinds of paint, and it is highly resistant to abrasions. 

A couple of notable disadvantages is that unlike ablative paints that strip the actual paint as you use your boat, hard antifouling paints will eventually need to be removed because the built up layers will begin to crack and peel. This makes for a very messy and complicated process. Secondly, if you plan to store your boat in the water the entire season, you will want to go with a paint that has a higher copper content to it.

A very important thing to remember when looking for bottom paints for aluminum boats, is to NEVER apply a paint that has cuprous oxide because of the galvanic corrosion that will take place.   For aluminum boats, you need to find a paint that uses cuprous thiocyanate or a paint that is free from any copper and uses a biocide that is non-metallic ECONEA.

Thin film paints are most ideal for freshwater environments where the biggest concern is algae growth. They have a very rapid drying time and provide a smooth PTFE finish and include at least one form of a biocide to keep any growth from forming on the bottom of your boat.

A water-based paint is much more friendly to the environment and is less toxic to the person that is doing the application. A couple of added benefits to these are that it makes cleanup much easier and there is little to no smell from the solvent.

Just like ablatives, sloughing paints will begin to fade off as the boat moves through the water. This means that your boat will go faster the more you are out on the water with it, which in turn causes the paint to wear off much quicker. Since these types of paints are so soft, there are very few bottom paints that can be applied on top of them.

Popular among performance boat owners, these types of paints are hard paints that provide a very smooth, slick surface and can only be applied on top of existing vinyl paints. Compared to good quality ablatives and modified epoxies, vinyl-based paints are inferior in regards to their antifouling effectiveness.

How Much Bottom Paint Do I Need?

You can use this very simple  bottom paint calculator  to get a fair estimate of how much paint you will need to purchase for your vessel.    Always look at the specifications on the product to get a better idea, because not all paints apply equally. Some paints are much thicker and will require more than a thinner paint.

Should I Use Copper-Based or Copper-Free Bottom Paint?

This is going to be a choice that you will have to make on your own, because it comes down to how strongly you feel about some of the paints on the market that may have a negative impact on marine life and the environment.   This is a highly debated topic within the bottom paint industry, and there are more and more eco-friendly paint choices coming to market for you to consider if you so choose to go that route.

Freshwater or Saltwater?

You will want to make sure that the paint you choose is formulated for the type of water you will have your boat in.    The ideal paint would be one that works for both freshwater, saltwater, and even brackish water.

Compatibility to Material or Surface

Not all bottom paints are made alike. Some products are designed to work with certain materials and you will need to keep your eye out for this.

You don’t want to buy a paint that is made for aluminum and use it on fiberglass because it will have an adverse reaction.

Be sure to check all the details of the paint to see if it is compatible with aluminum, fiberglass, wood or primed metals.

Launching and Recoating

A very important aspect to this whole process is knowing how long you need to wait to launch your vessel back into the water after it has been bottom painted.

To get the best answer to this question, you should make sure you carefully read the directions and specifications on the product label.

If you have read this entire review to this point, then you will see that we have reviewed most of the main players in this industry. The top brands consist of Interlux, Pettit, TotalBoat, Rust-Oleum, and Sea Hawk.

If you go with our choice, then we feel that the best option for fiberglass boats is Interlux Bottomkote NT because of the dual resin technology. However, Odyssey Triton from Pettit is a VERY close second.

Generally speaking, you will want to apply fresh coats once per year, however, there are some options of paints that are available that can last you up into the 2 year time frame.

If you use your boat on a regular basis, then you will definitely want to check the condition of the paint annually. 

The main factors that come into play with this question, would be how often do you use your boat, and are you keeping your boat in or out of the water?

This is a very common question that comes up, and the truth of the matter is, that it really does not slow your boat down at all if you keep up with proper applications. 

Antifouling paints were created to keep the marine growth off of your hull that will be the main cause of what will slow your vessel down.

If you are not checking the condition of your bottom paint, then you can begin to experience paint build-ups and a rough, damaged coating over a period of time and this will cause you to feel a lack of speed and fuel efficiency.

You can find good quality bottom paints at most of your local marine or boating supply stores. Otherwise, you can do some further research online to find a reputable website to purchase from.

Just remember to be diligent when selecting a place online to purchase from and make sure they are legitimate and reputable sites.

Our Final Thoughts

To wrap up this extensive review piece on some of the top antifouling paints on the market today, we hope that you have learned a lot from this article and it has helped clear up any questions you may have on the topic.

We feel that we have put together a very comprehensive list of the best of the best when it comes to protecting the underwater portion of your boat's hull. Now that you have a clear understanding of the importance of it and what it is designed to do, the choice is now in your hands.

Thank you so much for checking out our review. Happy boating!!!

P ettit is certainly not to be left off of this list, because they have been in the game for many years now and they are always at the top of their game when it comes to producing high quality products.

After 8 years in the making, Pettit did not disappoint when they recently came out with their multi-season protection ablative bottom paint Odyssey Triton. While this is very new to the market, it appears to be living up to the hype.

They have come up with a new triple biocide formula that combines the always reliable Copper Thiocyanate, the natural boosting biocide Zinc Omadine, and the strength of ECONEA. Compared to its competitors, Triton is formulated with the highest concentrations of these three biocides that are available.

With this formulation, Odyssey Triton will provide your vessel with maximum protection from all the various types of fouling even in the worst marine conditions.

One of the best things about this paint option is that it is suitable for all boat types INCLUDING ALUMINUM BOATS!!!

You can’t go wrong with this paint because it offers multi-season protection in ALL waters, fast drying times, low odor, and it is VOC compliant from coast to coast.

To get the best results with Triton, you will want to apply 2 coats to the underwater portion of your hull. Below is a breakdown of minimum drying times based on temperatures.

90°F - 2 Hours before recoat and 4 hours to launch

70°F - 4 hours to recoat and 8 hours to launch

50°F - 8 hours to recoat and 16 hours to launch

Suitable to fiberglass, wood, steel, and ALUMINUM boats!

Maximum fuel efficiency

Triple biocide formula for exceptional protection against all marine growth

Very minimal odor when applying

Multi-season protection

Covered by their 24 month warranty

Very Expensive

That’s about it!

Better Sailing

Best Antifouling Bottom Paint for Boats

Applying antifouling paints on your boat will eliminate marine growth and maximize your boat’s efficiency. Bottom paints contain chemicals that prevent underwater growth in order to protect your hull. Most paints contain copper compounds while others are water-based or copper-free. Basic types of antifouling paints include ablative bottom paints and hard bottom paints. As we’ve previously seen in another article, there are different groups and types of bottom paints. In general, before painting the hull, you should first consider how often you use your boat and what type of paint you applied in the past. This is because not all paints are compatible with others. For instance, vinyl paints should only be applied on previously vinyl-painted surfaces. But let’s now see which are the best bottom paints for boats as well as which one suits your boat! Follow me!

How to Choose the Best Bottom Paint for your Boat

Choosing the best bottom paint for your boat is not a simple decision to make. And, how will you choose from all these available options in today’s market? Keep reading so as to put things in order and give an answer to your concerns. Here are the most important factors to keep in mind before selecting the right antifouling paint for your boat.

• The type of your boat, the average speed, and boat usage : The frequency in which you use your boat, and what type of boating you do are also important factors before choosing a bottom paint. For example, if you’re an occasional sailor then a single-season antifouling paint will work just fine. But, if you’re regularly sailing overseas then it’s recommended to use a multi-season and effective bottom paint. Also, in case you trailer your sailboat then consider an ablative antifouling paint.
• Your budget and desired durability of the paint : Bottom paints tend to be expensive. But, as aforementioned, if sailing frequently then it’s advisable to use a highly-durable, effective, and environmentally-friendly bottom paint. Some properties that increase the cost of an antifouling paint are the amount of biocide, multi-season effectiveness, self-polishing ability as well as the level of preventing marine growth.
• Previous and existing hull coatings: If you have already painted the hull then you need to know whether the new bottom paint is compatible or not with the previous one. However, in case you don’t know the type of the previous paint or if you think that it’s incompatible with the new paint, it’s better to remove it completely before applying the new bottom paint.

Environmental Factors

Other important factors to consider are related to the environment. On the one hand, the environment in which you’re sailing will determine what kind of bottom paint you’re going to use. On the other, environmental restrictions and regulations play a huge role in the matter of antifouling paints. This is because the use of biocides in the marine environment has proved to be really harmful as it has considerable toxic effects.

• Water environments to which you’re sailing to. Are you sailing in freshwater or saltwater environments? The answer will determine the type of fouling, i.e. light, moderate, or heavy, and how you can deal with it. Copper-based paints are considered the most effective ones but also the most toxic for the marine environment. Copper-free paints, such as ECONEA, are also effective on hard fouling organisms, like acorn barnacles. But, in case algae and slime cause a problem in the sailing area you’re going to, you might want to use a paint containing an algaecide such as zinc pyrithione. Keep in mind that more biofouling occurs in warm waters rather than colder ones.
• Environmental restrictions:  As sailors, we have to be responsible and protect the marine environment. There are specific restrictions that regulate VOC (volatile organic compound) and copper content in certain areas. Also, many places require the use of ablative antifouling paints that are water-based, and that’s a huge plus!

How to Apply and Remove the Antifouling Paint

Tips for applying new bottom paint:.

• Firstly, give a high-pressure freshwater wash and rinse the hull thoroughly.
• Select the right paint accessories and safety equipment for the paint you are applying. Always wear a respirator, gloves, protective eyewear, and special clothing.
• Check for damages with suitable epoxy filler and inspect the hull for Gelcoat damage or osmosis.
• Place a tarp or filter cloth under the hull to catch the spills.
• Follow the manufacturers’ instructions that recommend the number of coats needed. 
• Apply the antifouling at the correct thickness. This depends on application methods and conditions.

Tips for Removing Bottom Paint:

There are three ways for removing antifouling paint and they include sanding, chemical paint strippers, or soda blasting by professionals. The tips below are referred to the paint stripping option.

• Scrub the hull and use a stripper for changing the bottom paint. The  Back to Nature strippers  are environmentally safe and easy to use.
• If you decide to sand in order to remove layers of paint then make sure to solvent-wipe the surface prior to sanding so as to remove any grease, dirt, and wax.
• Place a tarp under the sailboat to catch scraping chips.
• Avoid removing large areas of antifouling by dry sanding. This is risky for yourself and for the environment. It’s advisable to place a tent over the boat in order to restrict airborne particles. Also, try to wet sand and consider using a vacuum sander to remove old paint.
• Collect any waste and safely dispose of them in a hazardous waste receptacle.

Best Bottom Paints

Cfa eco — copper free ablative.

A copper-free paint with a formula of ECONEA and Zinc biocide that ensures multi-season protection. This dual biocide is quite environmentally safe, works great against slime, has low VOCs, and has no intense smell. You can safely use it on all substrates including aluminum .

Sea Hawk Tropikote

This hard epoxy antifouling paint uses high-quality cuprous oxide and fights effectively all kinds of marine growth and slime. Moreover, with this paint, you’ll avoid regular maintenance. It’s a great coating for year-round boaters. Check it out on Amazon .

Pettit Ultima Eco Bottom Paint

This metal-free paint contains a dual biocide that efficiently controls both hard and soft fouling on different substrates. The paint contains organic ECONEA biocide and a powerful slime fighting agent. Lastly, the self-polishing ablative technology eliminates the need for sanding and paint build-up. Check the product right here .

TotalBoat Underdog Boat Bottom Paint

This high-quality solvent-based antifouling paint offers excellent protection qualities. It has a powerful paint formula and effective ablative action that protects the boat from all kinds of marine growth. The formula releases approximately 25% of copper at a controlled rate that keeps away the light or hard growth of grasses, algae, and slime. See more details about the TotalBoat Underdog Boat Bottom Antifouling Paint on Amazon .

Rust-Oleum Marine Flat Boat Antifouling Paint

This paint is ideal if you’re launching your boat after a long time. According to reviews, its excellent performance prevents barnacles, algae, and other marine organisms from growing on the hull. It has a durable protective coating which works great on steel surfaces but not on aluminum ones. Moreover, it contains around 45% of cuprous oxide that makes it one of the hardest bottom paints. Check it out on Amazon .

Interlux Ultra with Biolux Antifouling Paint

This paint’s formula is excellent for high fouling areas and ensures long-term antifouling protection. It benefits from the fast dry and low VOC formula that allows painting and launching your boat on the same day! Check it out right here .

Flexdel Aquagard Antifoulant Bottom Paint

This eco-friendly water-based paint is highly-efficient for application on different surfaces and ensures a quick dry. By applying several coatings you ensure longevity and prevention of marine growth. Even though it’s expensive it really worths the investment, so, check it out right here .

Aluma Hawk Aluminum Boat Paint

This paint is ideal for application on fiberglass and aluminum boats. Highly preferred by many sailors due to its effectiveness and ease of use. By applying just one to two coatings you can save some time and effort. Moreover, it dries quickly and prevents corrosion but it’s quite thick, so make sure to use a thinner before applying. Check out more details on Amazon .

Pettit Paint Hydrocoat ECO

This water-based and copolymer ablative bottom paint wears away with use, reveals a new surface, and then eliminates paint buildup. It contains the highest level of ECONEA which protects both the hull and the marine environment. Along with the slime-fighting inhibitor, the formula offers multiple seasons of protection. In addition, there’s no need to sand between coats, and depending on the environment, it will likely last for multiple seasons. Lastly, the copper-free formula is great for different substrates like steel, GRP, or aluminum. Check it out on Amazon .

TotalBoat Krypton Boat Paint

Another environmentally friendly ablative paint from TotalBoat that ensures effectiveness and ease of use. This is because its great formula contains a sufficient concentration of ECONEA combined with slime-fighting zinc. You can apply it on aluminum, fiberglass, steel , or even wood sailboats in both fresh and saltwater. Furthermore, you can use it on different underwater metals such as outdrives and trim tabs. It comes out in five colors and is available in gallons or quarts. Check the TotalBoat Krypton Copper Free Antifouling on Amazon .

Best Boat Bottom Paint – Summary

In order to find out which paint is the best for your boat keep in mind some important factors. Firstly, if you’re sailing in a freshwater or saltwater environment. Secondly, the environmental restrictions and negative impact that the paint will cause on marine life. Thirdly, if your boat will be trailered or stay in the water year-round. Also, the material of your hull and, of course, how often you use your boat. If you know these key factors then you’ll be ready to choose between the above-mentioned antifouling paints. These paints are considered the best in today’s market. Lastly, I highly encourage you to purchase eco-friendly and water-based paint because nowadays, they’re as effective as copper-based or hard epoxy paints are. I hope that this article was helpful and that you’ll be able to easily choose the best paint for your sailboat!

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Best Sailboat Bottom Paints

Bottom paints are an important part of boat maintenance, but it can be hard to know which type of bottom paint is the best for your sailboat.

October 17, 2023

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

If you don't paint your boat's bottom regularly, it will eventually start to corrode and decay. This can lead to a number of problems, including reduced performance and even structural damage.

The best available bottom paints for sailboats are:

• Interlux Interprotect 2000E
• Rust Oleum 207012
• Total Boat Jd Select Bottom Paint
• Duralux M749-1
• Us Marine Products Coastal Copper 250
• Aquaguard Water-Based Antifouling Bottom Paint
• Sea Hawk Aluma Hawk Aluminum Boat Paint

Sailing is a great way to spend a weekend, and it's even better when your boat looks new. Unfortunately, boats can be susceptible to wear and tear, especially the bottom part of the boat. This is why it's important to use the best sailboat bottom paint to protect your investment. In this article, we will discuss the different types of bottom paints available and how to choose the right one for your boat.

We tested and reviewed several different types of bottom paints to find the best ones on the market. We considered a variety of factors when choosing the products, including cost, durability, and coverage. We also considered reviews from other sailors to get their opinion on the best products.

Table of Contents

‍ Things to Consider When Buying Sailboat Bottom Paints

There are a few things to consider when purchasing bottom paints for your sailboat.

1. Type of Paint

There are three main types of bottom paints: antifouling paints, self-polishing copolymer (SPC) paints, and ablative paints. Antifouling paints work by leaching toxins that prevent marine life from attaching to the hull. This type of paint needs to be reapplied regularly, typically every two to three months. SPC paints contain a polishing agent that slowly wears away as it prevents fouling. These paints typically last for one season before they need to be reapplied. Ablative paints wear away gradually in response to friction, providing continuous protection against fouling.

2. Paint Color

The second thing to consider is the color of the paint. Bottom paints are available in a variety of colors, but the most popular options are black, white, and blue. Black bottom paint is typically used on boats that spend a lot of time in saltwater, as it is effective at preventing marine growth. White bottom paint is often used on boats that spend less time in saltwater, as it reflects sunlight and helps keep the hull cooler. Blue bottom paint is a good middle ground between black and white; it provides good protection against marine growth while still reflecting some sunlight.

3. Launch and Recoat Time

The third thing to consider is the launch and recoat time. This is the amount of time that you have to wait after applying the paint before you can launch your boat. Most bottom paints have a launch time of 24 hours, but some may require up to 72 hours. It's important to check the label of the paint before purchasing to make sure that it has a suitable launch time for your needs. The recoat time is the amount of time you have to wait between coats of paint. Most bottom paints have a recoat time of 14 days, but some may require up to 30 days. Again, it's important to check the label before purchasing to ensure that the paint will meet your needs.

4. Fouling Condition

Another important factor to consider is the fouling condition. This is the amount of marine growth that is present on the bottom of your boat. Bottom paints are available in different degrees of fouling, from light to heavy. If you have a lot of marine growth on the bottom of your boat, you will need to use a heavy-duty bottom paint. However, if you only have a little bit of marine growth, you can use a lighter-duty paint.

5. Type of Boat

The last thing to consider is the type of boat that you have. Different types of boats require different types of bottom paints. For example, racing boats typically use a hard bottom paint, while pleasure boats may use a soft bottom paint. Most bottom paints will specify what type of boat they are best suited for, so be sure to check the label before purchasing.

How To Apply Sailboat Bottom Paints?

Sailboat bottom paints are designed to protect the hull of your boat from the elements. But in order to be effective, they must be applied correctly. Here are a few tips on how to apply sailboat bottom paints:

• The first step is to clean the hull of your boat. This can be done with a pressure washer or a garden hose. Be sure to remove all dirt, grime, and marine growth.
• Once the hull is clean, it's time to apply the primer. This will help the paint adhere to the hull and provide an extra layer of protection.
• Now you can apply the paint itself. Be sure to use a brush or roller specifically designed for use with bottom paints. Apply the paint in even strokes, working from the keel up.
• Finally, allow the paint to dry completely before launching your boat. This process can take several days, so be patient!

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your sailboat bottom paint will be properly applied and will provide long-lasting protection for your boat.

Best Sailboat Bottom Paints on The Market

Now that you know what to look for in a bottom paint, it's time to choose one! Here are some of the best sailboat bottom paints on the market:

1. Interlux Interprotect 2000E

Interlux Interprotect 2000E is a two-part epoxy primer that provides superior protection against corrosion for all types of metals, including aluminum. It can be used on both new and previously painted surfaces, and it adheres well to most substrates. This primer provides an excellent foundation for Interlux topcoats, and it can also be used as a standalone primer for ferrous metals. Interlux Interprotect 2000E is available in both gallon and quart sizes.

This primer features excellent corrosion resistance and adhesion, making it ideal for use in a variety of environments. It can be applied via brush, roller, or sprayer, and it dries to a hard, durable finish. This product is perfect for use on boats, trailers, RVs, and other vehicles that are exposed to saltwater or harsh chemicals. It is also great for industrial applications where corrosion protection is critical. Order I nterlux Interprotect 2000E today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your boat is well-protected!

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Adheres well to most substrates
• Can be used as a standalone primer or under a topcoat
• Available in gallon and quart sizes
• Availability might be an issue for some

2. Rust-Oleum 207012 Boat Bottom Anti Fouling Paint

Rust-Oleum 207012 Boat Bottom Anti Fouling Paint is a high-performance paint that helps to protect boat hulls from barnacles, algae, and other marine growth. The paint is easy to apply, and it dries quickly to a hard, durable finish. The secret to its success is its unique formula, which contains copper oxide nanoparticles. These particles are toxic to marine life, and they prevent barnacles and algae from attaching themselves to the hull. In addition, the nanoparticles are incredibly small, so they provide long-lasting protection without affecting the boat's performance. Rust-Oleum 207012 Boat Bottom Paint is an essential tool for any boat owner who wants to keep their vessel in top condition.

This paint also provides a flat sheen that helps to reduce the appearance of scratches and other imperfections. It can be applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer, and it is available in gallon and quart sizes. Order Rust-Oleum 207012 Boat Bottom Paint today and enjoy a clean, barnacle-free hull.

• Effective protection against marine growth
• Dries quickly to a hard, durable finish
• Works in fresh/saltwater conditions
• Flat sheen surface
• A tad expensive

3. TotalBoat JD Select Bottom Paint

If you're looking for a high-quality bottom paint that will provide excellent protection for your boat, TotalBoat JD Select is an excellent choice. This paint is formulated with a unique blend of resins and biocides that work together to provide long-lasting protection against fouling organisms. The paint also features a unique self-polishing formulation that helps to keep the hull clean and free of barnacles and other growths. Once applied, it will provide protection for up to 18 months, making it an excellent choice for boaters who want to enjoy a hassle-free season.

TotalBoat JD Select is available in a variety of colors, so you can choose the perfect color to match your boat's hull. This bottom paint is easy to apply and provides an attractive, glossy finish that will make your boat look great. It dries quickly to a hard, durable finish that will withstand the rigors of saltwater and harsh chemicals. Whether you're looking for protection from fouling organisms or just want to keep your hull looking clean and shiny, TotalBoat JD Select is an excellent choice.

• Long-lasting protection (up to 18 months)
• Available in a variety of colors
• Attractive, glossy finish
• Low concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
• Requires a good quality thinner for proper application

4. Duralux M749-1 Marine Paint

Duralux M749-1 Marine Paint is a one-part polyurethane enamel that provides excellent gloss retention and abrasion resistance with minimal maintenance. This tough paint can withstand the harsh conditions of the marine environment, making it an ideal choice for boat hulls, decks, and other areas exposed to salt water and sun. Plus, it resists fading and provides long-lasting protection against UV rays.

Buyers need to remember that this paint is thick and will require thinning before use. Once thinned, it can be applied with a brush or roller and dries to a hard, glossy finish.

Duralux Marine Paint is available in 17 different colors, so you can find the perfect shade to match your boat's personality. The paint goes on smoothly and dries quickly, making it easy to achieve a professional-looking finish. Whether you're repainting your boat's hull or giving it a new look, Duralux Marine Paint is the perfect choice for all your marine painting needs.

• Excellent gloss retention and abrasion resistance
• Withstands harsh marine conditions
• Long-lasting
• Resists fading and provides long-lasting UV protection
• Available in 17 colors
• Thick consistency requires thinning before use

5. US Marine Products Coastal Copper 250 Ablative Bottom Paint

This premium bottom paint is formulated with copper to provide superior protection against fouling and barnacles. It also features an ablative formula that wears away gradually, so it doesn't need to be stripped off before reapplication. Plus, its unique color provides excellent UV protection to help prevent hull deterioration. The paint contains a biocide that is slowly released into the water, preventing the attachment of algae and other organisms. This not only helps to keep the hull clean but also reduces drag on the boat and improves fuel efficiency.

US Marine Products Coastal Copper 250 Ablative Bottom Paint is a high-quality option that is ideal for use in saltwater. The copper in the paint helps to prevent the growth of barnacles and other marine life, and the ablative formula means that the paint will gradually wear away over time, eliminating the need for stripping and sanding between coats. Whether you're a weekend sailor or a full-time liveaboard, US Marine Products Coastal Copper 250 Ablative Bottom Paint is a great choice for keeping your boat looking good and sailing smoothly.

• Formulated with copper for superior protection against fouling
• Ablative formula wears away gradually
• Heavy-duty paint
• Ideal for saltwater
• Unique color provides excellent UV protection
• Viscous formula

6. Aquaguard Water-based Antifouling Bottom Paint

Aquaguard Water-based Antifouling Bottom Paint is a new water-based bottom paint that provides reliable protection against fouling. Aquaguard is easy to apply and provides excellent coverage, making it the perfect choice for both professional and DIY boat owners. Aquaguard Water-based Antifouling Bottom Paint is a great choice for those who are looking for an environmentally friendly bottom paint. Aquaguard does not contain any biocides or heavy metals, making it safe for both humans and marine life. The paint is also easy to apply and provides excellent coverage.

In addition, Aquaguard is highly effective at preventing the growth of algae, barnacles, and other marine fouling organisms. When applied according to the manufacturer's instructions, Aquaguard provides long-lasting protection against fouling, keeping your boat's hull clean and free of debris.

• Water-based
• Easy to apply
• Excellent coverage
• Environmentally friendly
• Lack of color options

7. Sea Hawk Aluma Hawk Aluminum Boat Paint

This paint is specifically designed for use on aluminum boats, and it provides excellent protection against corrosion and UV damage. Sea Hawk Aluma Hawk is a top-quality aluminum boat paint that is designed to withstand the harshest conditions. This specially formulated paint is designed to resist corrosion and provide a protective barrier against the elements. The high-quality pigments provide excellent color retention, while the UV inhibitors help to prevent fading. In addition, the formula is designed to stick to even the most difficult surfaces, making it perfect for boats that see a lot of use.

The paint is easy to apply and dries quickly, so you can get back out on the water in no time. However, it does lack an antifouling feature, so you'll need to apply a separate bottom paint if you're concerned about marine growth. Whether you're painting a new boat or touch-ups on an older one, Sea Hawk Aluma Hawk is a great choice for aluminum boat owners.

• Designed for aluminum boats
• Resists corrosion
• Provides excellent color retention
• UV inhibitors help prevent fading
• Lacks an antifouling feature
• Prone to producing smelly fume

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The Best Boat Bottom Paints for Different Types of Boats

Written by J. Harvey / Fact checked by S. Numbers

From barnacles, corrosion, and slime to algae and moss, any one of these foul undesirables can be a thing of nightmares for boat owners. What’s worse is that even if you have the best boat bottom paint, you can only ever really slow their progress down. There’s a good reason why many sailors say that almost any boat, once it goes on its voyage, will inevitably “belong to the barnacles”.

Still, that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep your vessel as free from their clutches as possible. I can say as much for the marine bottom paints I’ve used on my three boats. There are definitely great options out there that are a cut above the rest.

I suggest you remember these three important factors when looking for the most ideal antifouling bottom paint to use:

• Protective Capability: Many sailboat bottom paint products are antifouling, but they’re not readily synonymous with each other. Antifouling paint, as a whole, should be able to take care of marine growth and corrosion, but there are products out there that may fall short on one or two.
• Some incorporate aluminum-friendly copper free biocide, which may be able to kill all kinds of marine growth. Others rely on high copper concentrations to provide longer-lasting protection. Ablative paints, on the other hand, tend to last for a shorter time since they’re designed to peel off by themselves, aided by the boat’s movement, and take the buildup with them (i.e. self-cleaning).
• Typical Water Conditions: In order to make the most of any bottom paint, you need to be aware of the water conditions that you subject your boat to. There may be bottom paint out there with all-around solutions like copper or copper free biocide, but that’s not always the case. Saltwater brings corrosion, on the other hand.
• Know the marine growth that you’ll normally have to put up with (whether it’s barnacles, slime, seaweed, algae, worms, etc.), then ask the manufacturer if their product can address it. For example, bottom paint for South Florida should protect against seaweed and algae fouling in that area.
• Compatibility with Bottom/Hull Material: A lot of antifouling paints accommodate wood, metal, and fiberglass, but you still have to make sure that they’ll adhere to your boat’s hull. Some hard bottom paints may only work well with aluminum boats since they’re not actually antifouling, for example. Moreover, a few paints may react badly to the kind of material they’re painted on, leading to unwarranted damage.

The following bottom paint products are the ones I’ve used in my years of cruising and fishing in both saltwater and freshwater oceans and lakes. A few work well on their own while others need to be paired with a barrier coat. Usually, I apply five coats as a barrier/primer then apply two coats of bottom paint, but it’s not an absolute rule. Read on to know my takes on each one.

• Good-as-new finish
• Multiple color options
• Superb coverage per gallon

• A breeze to apply
• Economical choice
• Works best on fiberglass hulls

• Very easy to apply
• Superb value for money
• Lasts long and flattens well

Table of Contents

1. Duralux M749-1 Marine Paint

2. rust-oleum 207012 marine flat boat bottom paint, 3. totalboat 285793 jd select ablative bottom paint, 4. sea hawk ah7033gl aluma hawk paint, 5. totalboat underdog marine bottom paint, 6. pettit paint 1959q hard racing paint, 7. totalboat inflatable boat bottom paint, other factors to consider when choosing the right bottom paint, what should i paint the bottom of my boat with, how long does bottom paint last on a boat, how many coats of bottom paint do i need, what’s the typical prep work required for bottom paint, do bottom paints affect the boat’s speed, best paint for boat bottom reviews.

Though not antifouling, Duralux’s marine paint functions just as excellently as a bottom paint because of its longevity and stellar corrosion protection. It’s also got great coverage!

I use this as a bottom paint on aluminum, steel-hulled or fiberglass boats. I recommend aluminum boats, in particular, because of the excellent corrosion protection and coverage per gallon. I didn’t get that common aluminum problem at all after three years from the initial application.

Before our fishing get-together with my friends back in 2015, we were able to paint three boats with a single one-gallon can, and the paint dried in two days max. For the protection these vessels got, we definitely got all our money’s worth. Do take note that we fish mostly in freshwater lakes.

Overall, it’s a solid multi-purpose and multi season paint that you can apply on just about anything made of metal, as you know, it will be a rust or corrosion problem over time. I especially like that the brand has plenty of color options to choose from, so if you happen to be digging aquamarine over cruiser blue, then you just grab a can and start painting! The finish looks good as new every time.

You’ll need a bit of prep work to apply it properly. I always do light sanding first, then wipe the surface with lacquer thinner. Doing these two steps makes the paint easy to roll and will not require a primer for it to provide protection. I apply three to four coats to get the long-lasting, attractive finish I want in my jon boat.

• Great value for money
• Doesn’t require a primer
• Too thick consistency

Any antifouling bottom paint by Rust-Oleum is a safe bet for most boat owners. This one I like in particular because of its sheer value for money. It’s cheap, but you know it will get the job done.

As much as possible, I choose this over anything else, assuming it’s available. It’s far cheaper than a lot of reliable bottom-side boat paint products out there. And it’s mostly because I get the most value for money out of it.

It goes on thick and stays for good as long as you apply it, once following the recommendations. I advise you to stir it well with mineral oil, so you can thin it just enough for smoother application. It makes it easy to roll even with the cheapest roller you can find out there. Two coats, a day apart, will do for most finishing jobs.

I’ve tried it on both wood and fiberglass surfaces. I can safely say that it works best for the latter because my 16’ runabout has kept most barnacles, corrosion, and most marine growths at bay since I applied it.

My initial painting job lasted for a good four years before I had to do a full repaint, and I also have to say that it’s the case for a boat that I use fairly regularly. I also power wash it every season, though, and roll the surface annually.

• Sticks well with proven durability
• Outstanding value for money
• Cans tend to arrive dented

This is one of the few antifouling paints I’ve been using for a long time now. It never disappoints with its versatility, ease of application, and excellent coverage, which translate to superb value for money.

It’s one of the better ablative paints I’ve tried, mostly when it comes to how long the biocide provides protection. In one sailboat (a 36-footer), I had it last for a good two years (in both wet and dry storage) before I needed to do a reapplication. I used two thin film coats as per recommendations, and the boat had minimal to zero build ups for that entire time, thanks to the biocide and the way sheds taking most of the gunk with it.

It’s hard not to become a go-to paint for your boat because it’s so easy to apply. I prefer to skip plenty of the usual prep work when painting. This boat bottom paint for speed-based applications delivers just that by forgoing the need to thin it. Also, no sanding is always welcome, but I do it every time I need to apply a new layer, often yearly, only if I just used one coat on any bottom, whether it’s fiberglass, metal, or wood.

That’s where most of the versatility stems from. I’ve used a handful of antifouling paint, and there are only ever a few that I can safely say meet that criterion, considering the finish I get from each one. This is one of them, and that’s why I think it’s great value for money.

It flattens well in all the times I’ve used it to paint the bottom of my boats and my buddies’, all with different bottom materials, over the years. The finish is almost always superior to other choices as a result.

• Proven to prevent marine growth
• Versatile choice
• Takes quite a while to dry compared to other paints

In most cases, it’s either this or the Duralux marine paint I reviewed before when it comes to painting my jon boats. It’s got topnotch durability, adheres well to aluminum boats, and lends any vessel with a fresh look if applied properly.

I like this paint’s overall longevity. I’ve been using it longer than the other marine paint I mentioned because I was fairly satisfied with its corrosion protection and how long it managed to provide it (in my case, it’s two and half years on one jon boat).

I use a foam roller every time to get a smooth finish. Don’t bother with a gun since I’ve only had subpar results with it. Be sure to grab a number of rollers, though, as the paint will eat it up.

I listened to the recommendations that I use MEK to thin it. Sure enough, 10% of it is enough to reduce the sheer thickness of the entire thing. I use the roller mostly and a brush for the edges and borders – also, don’t forget to wear a respirator and any applicable protective equipment.

The paint dries quickly, and it’s not hard to see this remarkable difference if you apply it in the summer. It takes less than a day during those months, and the paint goes on thick and smooth on aluminum, so as much as possible, I suggest you wait for the temperatures to be as warm as possible if you’re in the US.

• Multi season protection
• Takes care of corrosion
• Easy to apply
• Sticks well to aluminum
• Needs MEK to thin properly, which is not always available
• Has a strong smell and needs to be stirred often

A better choice for those who want optimal protection on hulls, TotalBoat’s bottom paint also costs ½ the price of other alleged “top brands” out there. It’s also a proven bottom paint for boats saltwater.

A lot of people consider this brand a safe choice, and I have to agree with them. I’d even say it’s a smart one, especially if you’re well aware of the average cost of bottom paints nowadays. This paint manages to knock a hundred bucks from the average price in the market but still keeps barnacle growth in check.

I must say that this bottom paint is an excellent example of antifouling technology. You may see boat paint build up here and there as time goes by, but I’ve since learned that you’ve just got to be patient with it. It will chip off by itself, taking the barnacles with it – at least, that’s my experience with my 25-foot center console that I like to take to saltwater fishing spots.

It’s got stellar coverage overall, but not exactly something worth mentioning. A single coat feels adequate for fiberglass and metal. Haven’t tried it on wood yet. I can paint an entire 25-footer with a gallon can, with plenty to spare to add to another painting job. What’s even better is that I never have to make it thinner.

I was even pleasantly surprised one time when the brand included a package that came with a roller frame, stir sticks, paint cover, and roller cover. I’m not sure if I just missed a promo, but I definitely appreciate brands that make these kinds of efforts.

Once the paint has thinned out, I just reapply and do a sandblast first if there are stubborn buildups, which is rarely the case based on my two-year experience with it. It’s by no means a perfect product, but for all its perks combined and the budget-friendly cost, it more than deserves a spot on this list.

• Does a spectacular job of preventing barnacle growth
• Comes with tools required for painting sometimes
• Doesn’t require thinning
• Decent coverage

This hidden gem deserves a spot here for its long-lasting, rich finish, ease of application, and overall protective capability. Most Pettit bottom paint reviews say the same for a reason.

I prefer to use bottom paints like this on my Jeanneau cabin cruiser, which I like to take for my longest cruises. Mostly, it’s because of the sheer longevity of this paint. The longest I’ve made it with a single hard coating is two and a half years on solely freshwater with a combination of dry and wet storage.

It’s quite versatile, too, in that I get the same results on my aluminum jon boats and vessels with fiberglass hulls. Also, it’s not a pain to apply. I use a short-haired roller, and the paint just goes on smoothly with the proper thinning. I stick to the recommended brushing thinner every time.

The corrosion protection is good, but I do have to make sure to apply a barrier coat (and hard modified epoxy if the conditions call for it) with every fresh painting or repainting job. I’ve been using this paint for the better part of a decade, so I can safely say that it’s far from being lackluster in that regard. Overall, it’s tough to criticize a solid hard paint, especially if it’s designed as a bottom paint for trailer boats, which anticipates marine conditions.

• Long-lasting multi season protection
• Works well in freshwater lakes and rivers
• Versatile in terms of hull material
• Smooth application
• Decent corrosion protection
• Limited in terms of suitable water conditions

I’d recommend this ablative bottom paint for boats to anyone looking for a product that best demonstrates the strengths of this kind of bottom paint. That it also manages to stay on for a long time and provide superb protection only convinces me to give it close to a perfect rating.

Now, you’re probably thinking, aren’t ablative paints supposed to be washed off along with the gunk after every season? Well, what’s good about this boat bottom paint is that it kind of gives you the option to decide. There’s no better way to describe it than just being what a hard ablative paint is all about.

For one, TotalBoat chose a high copper concentration of 25%, so they’re definitely aiming for protection. The first season I applied this paint, I didn’t have to do a repaint at all, and there was no cracking and flaking. All I had to do was clean it with a high-pressure washer, and the paint actually stayed on!

After the next season, though, I began to notice more growth, which I thought was just normal since I’ve been taking my fiberglass boats to multiple fishing locales, some being saltwater. The buildup didn’t progress that much, though, since I noticed that the paint was also beginning to wear off on the keel area. I reckon that was the ablation doing its job.

Overall, it took more than a year for me to have to do a repaint, which is a plus in my book. I’m not sure whether the change in water conditions (I’m inclined to believe so) affected its longevity. Take note that I applied two coats on a fiberglass boat hull, with sanding, and with no primer – and it dried fast for a water based boat paint.

• Two-way protection
• Proven to last long
• Dries fairly quickly despite being water-based
• Proven to work without a primer
• Comes in only one color

Ease of Application

Does the paint require thinning? Is it easy to roll or spray on? Do you have to wait a long time for it to dry? It’s important to answer these questions so you won’t end up wasting your effort and money on most kinds of bottom paints.

Paint Color

Don’t forget about the possibility of the color being eclipsed by the resultant marine organisms’ growth. White bottom paint is more likely to be overshadowed, but an obvious advantage is that it won’t be hard to spot potential buildups even if they’re just starting.

Don’t overlook paints that are abrasion-resistant. I can name a handful from the products I reviewed above that don’t quickly crack and get scratched after a few seasons. Usually, a primer or barrier coats aid in keeping the paint in place, but only to a certain degree.

Naturally, you want to be able to properly paint the bottom of your vessel without taking two gallons or more just to get the results you want. Of course, this should always be relative to the quality of the paint.

The Different Types of Boat Bottom Paint

In general, you can find bottom paint that is either categorized as antifouling or not. Antifouling paint, in turn, can be subcategorized as either hard paint or ablative paint. Here’s an overview of each one.

• Standard Marine Paint

Some marine paints work just as well as bottom paints, especially if they offer optimal corrosion and rust protection. They may not be able to keep marine organisms’ infestation at bay, but if you know that the water conditions you regularly subject your vessel to don’t really need protection from them, then hard paints will do.

I especially recommend them for smaller vessels like jon boats. They’re aluminum-safe and can last for a long time. Another bonus is that they have numerous colorful and attractive finishes.

• Hard Antifouling

These are recommended for boats that cruise and sail for lengthy distances. Normally, they protect the hull with copper biocide, while staying on as long as possible, to the point that you don’t have to worry about buildups for 1 to 3 years.

One other advantage is that even if you pressure wash your hull, the paint will still stay on and still provide protection, especially if the copper content is noticeably high. This quality makes them a more cost-saving option.

• Ablative Antifouling

Any self-cleaning types of antifouling paints fall under this category. Ablation literally means removal, so that’s how they technically impart protection. Plenty of ablative paints will only last for a single season and need to be pressure washed to completely remove buildups. Afterward, you’ll obviously need to do a full repaint.

That being said, there are ablative paints with more longevity and with biocide included in their formulations. I tend to think of them as ‘hybrid’ paints that provide double protective capabilities. They’re not that many, though.

• Thin Antifouling

Named as such because they go on thin, thin antifouling paint is typically recommended mostly for freshwater storage and, sometimes, even some saltwater conditions with minimal fouling. This kind of paint is mostly designed for owners who want a speedy solution to marine organisms that plague your hull since it spares you from hours of sanding and can be applied, removed, and reapplied relatively quickly.

Benefits and Drawback of Bottom Paint

Almost any boat owner wants to keep his or her vessel in tip-top shape. The hull and bottom, as it happens, are typically the first ones to suffer the invasive nature of marine life. The fact that antifouling bottom paint can bring about a positive, protective effect when it comes to that issue readily highlights the strongest advantage of applying bottom paint.

The same can be said for paint that provides corrosion, rust, and abrasion protection. We also can’t deny that they lend the boat an aesthetic appeal.

That being said, they’re not without disadvantages. Besides the white boat bottom paint issue I mentioned above, some boat bottom paint colors may fade off over time or adversely react to weather, artificial, or marine conditions and make your vessel look unsightly. Also, some bottom paint products are undeniably expensive, which explains why bottom painting and cleaning services are equally costly.

Look no further than the water conditions (what marine growth is common and whether it’s saltwater or freshwater) and the material of the hull and bottom that requires painting. If you’re working on aluminum hulls, and you know you won’t really have to put up with a lot of marine growth, then a good anti-corrosion paint will do.

Likewise, bottom paint for wooden boats will readily benefit from ablative antifouling paint. It has to be primed first every time, though, and this video explains why and how to do it:

On the whole, I recommend most of the antifouling paints, hard or ablative, I’ve featured here because of their versatile applications.

This largely depends on the type you use. As I said before, ablative paints will sometimes last only a single season or a month, but others can manage 6 months up to 1 year. The longest-lasting bottom paint, which can last up to 3 years, is almost always hard, regardless of whether it’s antifouling or not. Almost any boat bottom paint comparison in other guides and forums will say the same.

I apply two coats on average, but if I find the paint to be sufficiently thick in one coat, with the barrier coat factored in, then I settle for that. Take note that some paints may require three or even four coats to ensure optimal durability. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when figuring out how much bottom paint to use.

Unless the manufacturer explicitly states otherwise, I make it a point to clean the surface that I will be applying the paint on. Make sure it’s free of possible contaminants. Afterward, I sand it with 100-grit sandpaper, especially if the brand suggests it.

This is still being debated, but based on my experience and plenty of other sailors, bottom paint’s ability to reduce the boat’s speed is minimal, to the point of being negligible.

Since bottom paint has numerous variables to be considered, the best boat bottom paint is ultimately the one that specifically delivers everything you need. It should provide a direct solution for both your vessel and the water that it will be sailing on. Obviously, it doesn’t hurt for it to be budget-friendly and easy to use while doing so.

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The Best Boat Bottom Paints in 2024

Undeniably, the hull is the most important part of the boat. If it gets damaged, then you basically have no choice other than to ground it until you finish repairing it. By using the best boat bottom paint, you can protect your boat from many of the possible forms of damage that it can receive.

A good best antifouling bottom paint needs to do more than just make the vessel look pretty. It should also provide the necessary protection against the environment that the boat is in. For instance, if your boat will be going out to sea, then it will need to have saltwater protection as well as an antifouling agent.

The boat bottom paint is one of the things that you should never skimp on. It is such an important component of the boat that it warrants something that is of high quality. If you want to learn more about getting the best bottom paint for aluminum boats and other kinds of water vessels then continue reading this article.

1. TotalBoat JD Select Bottom Paint

2. us marine coastal copper bottom paint, 3. interlux ybb379/1 bottomkote nt paint, 4. duralux m722-1 marine paint, 5. sea hawk bottom paint primer, 6. totalboat underdog bottom paint, 7. rust-oleum 207012 marine flat bottom paint, who is this for, features to consider when buying a boat bottom paint, advantages and disadvantages of using boat bottom paint, care and maintenance, frequently asked questions, best boat bottom paints reviews.

If you have a seafaring vessel, then it is one of the best paints that you can get. For one thing, it has an excellent antifouling property that completely protects the hull of your boat for an entire season.

This paint is the best choice if you do not want to be scraping barnacles off the bottom of your boat after every fishing season.

Although this paint has a rather thick consistency, it is still easy to apply. I personally just used a wide brush and a couple of narrow ones for the hard-to-reach places, though I can’t see why you can’t use a roller brush to paint it all over the hull.

This best bottom paint for boats saltwater is so thick that you do not even need to do extensive surface prep. Just make sure that the hull is clean.

Because this product is water-based, cleaning any paint that accidentally drips onto any surface that it is not intended for is also easy. Unless the paint has dried completely, you can just wipe it off using a wet rag. It also means that cleaning your tools is easy. Just immerse the brushes in a bucket of water after using and the paint will rinse right off.

Another thing that is worthwhile to mention is that because this paint contains minimal VOCs, you don’t have to worry about noxious fumes suffocating you. I still wore a mask when I was painting my boat, but that’s just a safety precaution that years of experience ingrained into me. Unlike other paints, I did not get a whiff of it through the mask at all.

Be warned though, this paint is not meant for light vessels, like aluminum boats, canoes, or kayaks. It is for boats that are too large to place on a trailer every time you finish using it. Using this thick and heavy paint on a small vessel will only encumber it.

• Provides maximum protection against fouling
• Easy to use
• Not difficult to clean at all
• Does not have a harsh odor
• Can adhere over previously applied paint
• Heavy and thick, which makes it not advisable for light watercrafts

This paint is great for what it is meant for and that is protecting large boats from fouling. If you have a medium or large fishing boat, I recommend that you give it a fresh coat using this paint before starting the next fishing season.

One thing that impressed me the most about this bottom paint is that it is significantly thinner than other ablative paints I had the pleasure to use. It is already viscous enough that you no longer need to thin it. You can easily apply it using brushes or rollers.

This paint has a relatively thin consistency. Such consistency is so great that I was able to apply two coats on my boat easily with a bit more left to spare. If you have a smaller boat, you can be sure that a gallon will be more than enough paint for your needs.

I was utterly impressed with the effectiveness of this product’s antifouling property. I had to dry dock my boat in the middle of one fishing season due to bad weather. Surprisingly, I discovered that there is not even a trace of barnacles and other biological matter stuck on the hull.

Unlike some of the other ablative paints that I used in the past, this best bottom paint for aluminum boats is quite durable. After a couple of weeks in the water, I was expecting that the bottom of my boat would have peeled in several places at least. Surprisingly, the hull’s bottom was still completely intact with only minor chips.

Now, the bad news is that this paint takes a lot of time to dry and cure. I suggest that you paint your boat at least a week before you plan on taking it out in the water. It is the absolute minimum amount of time you can let it dry and cure completely.

• Easy to apply – It is more viscous than other ablatives.
• Does not require too much to produce the effect you want
• Effectively prevents critters from latching
• Does not chip nor peel easily
• Great value for your money
• Takes a while to cure completely

Despite the uncommonly long drying and curing time, this product is still one of the best that I have used thus far. If you will be the one painting the hull of your boat, give yourself a break and use this paint.

One of the things that makes this paint stand out is its durability. After an entire season, I inspected the hull of my boat and I was impressed at how the paint is still relatively still in one piece. There were no noticeable cracks or peeling aside from the color fading a bit from being in the water for a couple of months.

This paint is also rather easy to use. The product is already thin so there was no preparation needed aside from mixing the contents of the tin. I used a wide brush and the paint job still turned out nice. There were no streak marks and the brush strokes were almost invisible.

Another nice thing about this paint is that it is noticeably quick-drying. After just an hour or so, the surface was already dry to the touch. It does not have any tackiness whatsoever. I allowed the paint to cure for around three days just to be on the safe side and it held up nicely during the fishing season.

Because the paint is already thin, it goes on smoothly and evenly. I still had a bit of paint left over after giving my 24’ boat two coats of this antifouling paint. If you want to make this paint go far, then use a roller brush as it is more efficient.

Even though it is one of the best options recommended for those searching for high-quality bottom paint for sailboats, there is one thing that I did not like about it. Yes, it is an ablative paint and is not meant to be permanent, but the finish should at least look somewhat decent.

As it is, the finish had a very uneven gloss – shiny at some parts and matte on the rest. Although it does smooth out after a couple of days on the water, it should not look shoddy when new.

• Guaranteed to be durable
• Dries and cures quickly
• Easy to apply
• Covers well and goes on evenly
• The surface smooths itself out with time
• Does not have an even gloss

The issue that I have with this product is purely subjective and is at most a minor inconvenience. This boat bottom paint still does its job, and excellently at that.

Unlike other marine boat paints, Duralux has more than a dozen color options and they have camouflage options as well. I bought three shades of the camo colors and the resulting paint job looked so great.

As a marine paint, this product did a good job at protecting my boat against the corrosive properties of saltwater. It has already been a couple of months since I used this paint on my boat and it has yet to develop any noticeable rust patches.

I also liked how a single gallon of it can already cover such a large surface area. As mentioned earlier, I got three gallons of three different colors and they were more than enough to paint three 18’ boats. I still even ended up with enough left over to paint the roof of my shed at home.

As mentioned, I also used this product to paint over the corrugated iron roof of my shed and it went on quite well with little preparation. Since it did such a great job keeping my boat and shed rust-free, I figured that it would also work on my iron gate and fence and it did.

However, you have to remember that even though you can use this paint below the waterline, it does not have any antifouling properties. With that said, critters such as barnacles and clams can attach themselves to the surface. However, if you always place your boat on a trailer after every use, then this should not be a problem.

• Comes in a wide variety of colors
• Provides moderate protection against saltwater
• Works great for other things that need weatherproofing
• Requires little surface preparation
• Can cover a lot even if you only use a bit of it
• Usable only for painting above the waterline

Even though this paint does not have any antifouling properties, it still provides quite a lot of protection for your boat. Moreover, the bright colors and glossy finish makes this paint look good.

If you have no idea what kind of paint the bottom of your boat has, then it is highly recommended to use this product. What is great about it is that it can adhere to almost any surface, including the ones previously painted with ablative paints. I had no problems using just a brush to apply this product.

Yes, this primer has a rather thick consistency, but it is necessary. A thick primer can also act as a filler, so any minor dents and imperfections are smoothened out before you apply the topcoat. This results in a smoother-looking finish. My boat looked like it had a couple of decades removed after I used this on it.

I am also glad to say that this paint is completely waterproof. Of course, it should be waterproof as it is a primer for boat hulls, but even when compared to other similar products, I can still say that it is one of the best. Also, thanks to its thick consistency, this primer can fill small leaks on the hull.

This primer also dries and cures rather fast. After an hour, it is already dry to the touch, which means you can already apply the topcoat over it. Although I recommend that you let the primer cure for around five days, just to be sure, I believe that you can already take your boat out fishing just one or two days after painting.

In terms of complaints, I can’t find anything that serious. I noticed that this product does what it is supposed to do and even exceeded my expectations. However, if you want to be nitpicky, you can say that its thick consistency makes it problematic to use on a spray gun.

• Adheres to surface with minimal preparation
• Easy to use – It does not even need a thinner.
• Can go on top of existing ablative paint
• Completely waterproof and highly resistant to saltwater
• Needs quite a bit of thinning if you intend to use a spray gun

Keep in mind that this product is a boat bottom primer so you still need to paint over it. However, it can still provide more than what it originally intended, making it a good investment.

The best thing about using this paint is that it is highly economical. I have a 24’ boat and I was able to give it 3 coats of this paint. Even after that, I have a bit of paint left over, which I used on the handrails of my porch at home. I am also pleased that this paint is already thin and it goes on evenly. I used a nap roller and the result is amazingly even.

Also, I can say that it is one of the most durable boat bottom paints I have had the pleasure of using. Even when you beach or replace your boat on a trailer after every use, you will not be leaving any serious damage on the paint job.

As mentioned earlier, it is quite easy to use. Thinning is unnecessary, so you can use a simple brush to apply this on the hull of your boat. You can even use it in a traditional spray gun, but in such a case, you will need to thin it out so it can go through the spray nozzle.

This paint also has excellent antifouling properties. I used it on my boat just a little over a week before fishing season then I looked underneath my boat mid-season. There were no traces of fouling whatsoever. This paint continuously releases the right amount of copper, thus preventing barnacles and similar organisms from latching onto the boat.

There is not anything major that I could complain about in this product. However, if you will be needing an exact shade of color, then I suggest that you have it tinted just the way you like because the color shown on the packaging is not accurate to the contents.

• Highly economical with its huge coverage
• More durable compared to similar products
• Effectively prevents biological organisms from attaching onto the hull
• Can adhere to almost all surfaces
• Some colors are inaccurate

If you are thinking about giving your boat’s bottom hull a fresh coat of paint, then this product should be on the top of your list as it has a high chance of giving you the result you want.

One of the reasons why I genuinely liked this boat bottom paint is that it can adhere to almost all surfaces. It is especially important for me because I own several boats and one is fiberglass. This paint sticks even with minimal surface preparation. In the case of the fiberglass boat, all I did was thoroughly clean the hull.

Unless you own a huge commercial fishing boat, you do not need to worry about fouling. On the other hand, I must leave my boat docked in the marina for months at a time during fishing season, and having the best bottom paint for fiberglass boats helped curb the number of barnacles that used to latch onto the hull below the waterline.

Another amazing aspect of this boat bottom paint is that it dries and cures quickly. It is probably one of the quickest drying boat bottom paints that I used. It dries completely after just 4 hours. By that time, you can already start applying the second coat. Also, 16 hours after the last coat of paint, your boat is once again ready to launch.

This paint is also economical. I was able to apply two very generous coatings on the hull of my 24’ boat, and there was still enough left over for the roof of my garden shed. I just used a nap roller to apply this product and it went on smoothly and evenly.

I cannot find any fault in this sailboat racing bottom paint. However, if I need to give some sort of criticism, it would be about its thick consistency. Some people say that this product is a bit too thick, especially when used on a spray gun.

• Can adhere onto almost all surfaces
• Effectively protects against mild to moderate fouling
• Quick-drying and curing
• Can cover a huge area
• Suitable for both fresh and saltwater
• A bit too thick – It may need a bit of thinning before use

Rust-Oleum has never failed me yet, and this antifouling boat bottom paint of theirs is very much deserving of the brand. I highly recommend this paint if you are preparing your boat for the upcoming fishing season.

Although both freshwater and saltwater boats can benefit from having the best ablative bottom paint, the boats that go out to sea need this paint because they are more susceptible to barnacles and other biological organisms.

However, if you do not leave your boat moored in the marina and put it on a trailer after every use, instead, then you do not need ablative paint. Moreover, if you own a light boat, you should not use this kind of paint as it will only hamper your vessel’s mobility.

If it is the first time for you to shop for the a boat bottom paint for speed, then here are some of the things that you need to take into serious consideration:

Freshwater or Saltwater

Paint that can withstand saltwater can deal with freshwater without any problem. However, even the best bottom paint for freshwater is not suitable for marine environments.

Saltwater is highly corrosive so you must use paint specifically formulated for it ; otherwise, your paint will chip and peel off, leaving the metal underneath to rust away.

Paint Consistency

If you will be using a brush or a roller to paint the bottom of your boat, you would not want the paint to be so thick that it does not spread evenly. It is especially important if you will be using a spray gun. If the paint is too thick, then it will only clog up the nozzle.

Get a paint that can take a hit. There are lots of things that can hit and scrape the bottom of your boat, and if those things manage to scrape off or chip the paint, the exposed part of the hull is at the mercy of the water.

With that in mind, it is crucial to choose a boat bottom paint that dries hard. It should be able to withstand impacts that can make other paints crack and peel.

Antifouling Property

Fouling happens when biological creatures, like algae and barnacles, latch onto the surface of the hull. A good boat bottom paint has copper particles slowly leeching out of the surface. This can prevent organisms from even coming close to the paint.

Ease of Use

Ideally, the boat bottom paint saltwater you get should be usable right out of the can. In other words, the consistency should be thin enough that it is easy enough to apply using a regular paint brush or roller. However, it should not be so thin that it runs before it gets a chance to dry.

Recoat and Launch Times

The recoat time is how long after laying down the first coat before you can paint on the next coat. According to marine bottom paint reviews, a good boat bottom paint has a recoat time of around 1-2 hours.

On the other hand, the launch time is how long after the last coat of paint before you can launch the boat in the water. Ideally, the launch time of the top boat bottom paint should not be longer than a day, but some paints are ready in just 6 hours.

You don’t need to worry about curing because it will continue to cure even when submerged in the water.

So what are the advantages that you can expect to gain from a boat bottom paint? Here are just a few of them:

• Protects against barnacles, algae, and slime infestation
• Plugs tiny leaks that the eye cannot see
• Can make the boat cut through the water faster
• Prevents corrosion due to exposure to saltwater
• Protects the hull from light bumps and impacts

It also has a couple of disadvantages, though – among which are:

• Makes the boat a whole lot heavier
• Needs to be reapplied annually
• Difficult to apply using a paint sprayer

If you have any boat bottom paint left over from your last project, you should find a way to use it as soon as possible. Once you open the lid of the paint, it will already start drying and curing. You can probably store the leftover paint for a week or two. Do not store it any longer as it may already harden.

Even though the boat bottom paint has antifouling properties, you should still clean the bottom of your boat as much and as often as you can. There is still a chance that critters like barnacles can find a way to latch onto the bottom of your boat, but you can lessen their chances if you keep your boat clean.

Be careful when loading your boat onto its trailer. If you push it too hard, you might scratch or peel off the paint. If possible, just tie your boat to the dock until the end of the season so as not to cause potential damage to the hard bottom paint for boats.

How Long does Boat Bottom Paint Last?

Even the best marine bottom paint is usually only usable for one season of fishing. This means that you will need to reapply a new coat for the following year. The reason is the antifouling property that only lasts for a couple of months and after that, it will no longer be effective.

You can technically leave the bottom paint for a couple of years, but during that time, all sorts of sea creatures will be covering the hull of the boat. Not only would the barnacles cause excessive damage to the hull, but they will also create a lot of drag, making it harder for the boat’s engine to push it through the water.

How to Remove Boat Bottom Paint?

There are several ways to remove antifouling paint from the bottom of a boat. First, there is the wet sanding method. By far, I consider it the most tedious as you will need to sand every square inch of the bottom hull manually until you get rid of all the antifouling.

The next method, sandblasting, is easier. However, not everyone has access to the equipment needed. Aside from that, it is also crucial to have the proper training to use it properly.

The last and probably the easiest one is to use an antifouling paint stripper. It is not the same as your normal household paint stripper. It is different as it will only attack the antifouling paint and not the paint or fiberglass underneath. Just apply a liberal amount over a small area and wait for the paint to bubble then scrape it off using a blunt scraper.

How much Boat Bottom Paint will I Need?

The amount of boat bottom paint you need to buy will depend on the size of your boat. In my experience, I have a 24’ boat and I only needed a gallon to apply two coats of antifouling paint, and I still had a bit of paint left after.

Another factor that might affect the amount you will need is the consistency of the paint. You can expect thinner consistency to allow for more coverage.

Your boat is a big investment, which is why you need to protect it in whatever way you can. One way to do so is to invest and use the best boat bottom paint. Note that the bottom of your boat receives the most abuse, which is why you need to give it the kind of protection that it needs through the paint.

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How to Articles | Bottom Paint Store

Learn more about boat paint applications and marine supplies.

Which Bottom Paint is Best for Freshwater Lakes?

The short answer is this: Antifouling Bottom Paint that works well in the harsh conditions of the Caribbean will be more than enough protection for boats in freshwater lakes. The real trick is choosing the paint that will fit your situation the best. Choosing a bottom paint with more biocide (usually cuprous oxide) will be more potent and fight off growth more successfully. Sometimes you don’t need to purchase the strongest and the greatest. A paint with just the right amount of biocide will do nicely and can also save a few bucks.

Here are some basic guidelines to help you decide which paint is best for your boat.

If the boat never comes out of the water except to be repainted , a Hard Epoxy Bottom Paint will keep away the algae. Sea Hawk Sharkskin is a mid strength Hard Bottom Paint that fits a tighter budget.

What about Bottom Paint Additives?

Sea Hawk bottom paint produces a paint additive called Bio Cop TF to help fight against algae and soft growth. This product will boost the effectiveness of your paint’s ability to keep the hull free of growth. **NOTE: Biocop TF Pint may only be used as a bottom paint additive in the following products: AF-33, Cukote, Sharkskin, Talon, and Tropikote. A booster has restrictions to paint added to and you should stick with the same manufacturer.

If you still aren’t sure what is needed for your boat, check out these other How To Articles:

Do I Need Bottom Paint on My Boat?

What is the Best Paint for My Boat?

Choosing the Right Boat Paint

How to Apply Bottom Paint Over Existing Bottom Paint

Best Boat Bottom Paint For Speed

December 22, 2022

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

‍ If you’re curious about the best boat bottom paint to make your boat go faster, there are several options that will give you the speed that you’re after.

No matter if you are driving a speedboat or a cabin cruiser, all boat owners want to be able to increase the speed of their vessel when they desire. Most of us know that what sort of paint we put on the bottom of our boat is going to make a difference in our miles per hour, but understanding why and how to find the best paint to achieve optimal speed is something that isn’t so obvious.

The 7 best boat bottom paints for speed are:

• TotalBoat Underdog
• Pettit Paint Copper Bronze Hard Racing Paint
• Duralux M749-1 Marine Paint
• Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote
• Rust-Oleum Marine Coating
• TotalBoat Krypton Bottom Coat Paint
• Sea Hawk Aluma Boat Paint

Part of what makes boat ownership so fun is the feeling of gliding through waves at speeds that make us feel like we are flying. But to get that desired effect takes more than just a boat with a bigger engine. What type of paint is applied to the bottom of our hull can make a big difference in how easily we attain those speeds and how smoothly our boat will operate while there. Luckily, it’s easy to figure out which paints are going to best bring your boat to top speed and not break your budget in the process.

I love boating and have been an avid boater for years. Though safety is always my main concern, having a boat that glides seamlessly through waters at top speeds is a close second. Learning what paints will best give my boat optimal speed capabilities is something I’ve recently researched, and I’m excited to share my findings with you.

Table of contents

‍ what is the best boat bottom paint for speed.

Every boat owner craves those days when the water is as smooth as glass and our boats just cut through it like butter. Or, we can’t wait for those times when the waves send us up in the air and back down again in seconds flat while we continue to chart our course ahead.

In order to get our boats to travel at optimal speeds, a number of factors need to be at play. First, your boat must have a big enough motor to be able to give you the horsepower you desire. Second, you need to have a decent propeller that allows less flex and bend. Third, you should consider the amount of weight on your boat and whether or not you can reduce it. And finally, you need to research carefully what sort of paint you are using on the bottom of your hull and whether or not it’s helping you optimize the speed of your vessel.

Painting the bottom of your hull is a fairly routine part of boat maintenance and care. Not only does painting your boat’s bottom allow you a chance to look for any problems that may be starting, but it’s a great (and very necessary!) way to keep debris off the bottom of your boat.

The process of painting the bottom of a boat is referred to as “antifouling.” Antifouling helps protect your boat’s bottom from all sorts of potential problems, especially in the form of sea life, such as barnacles, algae, moss, and other specimens that live in water and may not be the best things for your boat to have attached to it.

But painting your boat’s bottom sometimes has nothing to do with antifouling, and is instead solely about painting for speed. Depending on what type of paint you apply to the bottom of the hull will make a difference in the speed at which your vessel is able to travel.

Though there are several different types of paint that are specifically made for painting the bottom of your boat, some are going to be better for speed than others.

When you are looking for the best paints for the bottom of your boat’s hull, consider using either a vinyl or Teflon-based type of paint. Both vinyl and Teflon-based paints will provide you with the glass-like finish you are looking for when wanting optimal speed and will serve as an advantage when it comes to fuel efficiency and even safety.

While looking for the best type of paints for the bottom of your boat, also make sure you know which ones you should avoid, if possible. Hard copolymer paints and softer ablative paints are not going to be as ideal for giving you the smooth and finished hull bottom that will allow for the best speeds.

It’s also important to know how much paint you’ll need, since over-purchasing is going to be expensive and under-purchasing is going to result in your boat not being properly protected or as efficient as you’d like.

The general rule of thumb is that you can use about one gallon of paint for boats under 30 feet and two gallons of paint for boats that are 30 feet in length or larger.

Finally, know that you should plan to paint the bottom of your boat about once a year. If your boat is kept on a trailer, or in a garage or warehouse in the off-season, you can probably stretch this out to every two years. But for vessels that stay in the water all year long, painting once a year is a good practice to get into.

Now that we know more about boat bottom painting, let’s find out which paints are going to be best for you and your boat, based on your needs and budget.

1. TotalBoat Underdog

One of the best paints on the market for painting the underside of your boat is the antifouling paint, TotalBoat Underdog .

A small business, Total Boat Underdog has been in the paint industry for years, and it shows. Their paint quality is high, their customer service is excellent, and their price is competitive with industry standards.

TotalBoat Underdog antifouling paint comes in three colors to choose from: black, deep blue, and dark red.

One gallon of this paint will allow you to apply two coats of paint to a 25-foot boat. The paint goes on smoothly and there is no need to sand your bottom hull in between applications or after the paint has been applied.

The paint dries relatively quickly, though you should wait at least 15 minutes between applications.

This paint is not intended to use indoors, so make sure the area in which you are painting is well ventilated, or even consider wearing a mask while applying.

Since this is a copper ablative paint, it is going to be best for boats that are made from fiberglass, steel, or iron. You can even use it on boats that have been previously painted with another type of paint, but you may want to be extra careful to apply more than one coat to those vessels if optimal smoothness and speed are your goals.

The TotalBoat Underdog sells for just over $100 per gallon, a reasonable cost for boat antifouling paint. It also has a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the outcome. This is a great option for speed and ultimate boat protection.

2. Pettit Paint Copper Bronzer Hard Racing Paint

If you are looking for a paint that’s only purpose is to add more speed to your boat, I’ve got just the one for you.

The Pettit Paint Copper Bronzer Hard Racing Paint is an excellent option if the only thing you’re after is more speed from your vessel.

This paint is not intended to act as an antifouling paint, and should not be expected to deter sea life from attaching to your vessel. It’s specifically created to add shine and speed to boats that are kept in freshwater or stored in trailers during the off-season.

One of the coolest things about this paint is its color. When you first apply it, the paint gives off a soft, coppery glow that continues to shine even after months of water contact. The high gloss shine adds to the ease at which this paint will help your boat cut through the water…and it will look amazing while doing it!

Think of using the Pettit Paint Copper Bronzer on sailboats, racing boats, or any speed boat that tends to spend most of its time in freshwater. This paint is going to do best on boats that are made of fiberglass and steel, but should be avoided on hulls that are made of aluminum, since the paint doesn’t seem to adhere to it quite as well as the others.

The Pettit Paint Copper Bronzer retails for around $90 for a quart. It isn’t sold in gallon sizes, but you may be surprised at how far a quart of this paint will actually go.

3. Duralux M749-1 Marine Paint

The Duralux M749-1 Marine Paint has long been a favorite paint of many boating enthusiasts, and there’s a good reason why. Its high quality and strong reputation are widely known in the industry, and the price is exceptional, especially considering what you get for it.

This paint is an oil-based paint and goes on thick, so it’s suggested you use a thinning agent when applying. You will also want to consider protective eyewear as well as masks, since the fumes can be intense, and even toxic if you don’t have a well-vented area.

But that oily thickness is one of the reasons this paint is so effective for creating more speed from the bottom of your boat. Once applied, the Duralux M749-1 Marine Paint can make a substantial difference in the way your vessel slides through the water.

Avid boat racers are big fans of the Duralux M749-1 Marine Paint. But pleasure boat operators will find it just as beneficial when they are looking for a paint to add some speed as well as protection.

This paint is a great antifouling agent and will protect your boat’s bottom from anything that could attach to and damage it in the long term. It works great against salt water and any chemicals that may be lurking in the waters below your vessel.

One of the other perks of the Duralux M749-1 is the huge array of colors you can choose from. In total, there are ten choices that range from dark red to aquamarine. And, because of the ease at which this paint is applied, most customers have reported that they didn’t need to sand between applications.

The Duralux M749-1 sells for around $65 a gallon and the company stands firmly behind its satisfaction guarantee commitment for all its complete line of paints.

4. Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote Paint

Oftentimes it's hard to find a good bottom hull paint that will give you the benefits you’re looking for, but is not a huge pain to apply. Oil-based paints are great for speed, but can make the prep work, application time, and clean-up a real nightmare.

This is not the case with the Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote paint. Despite the fact that it is an oil-based ablative paint, the process from start to finish is almost as smooth as the paint itself!

The Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote paint uses a dual-resin process which means it won’t require any primer or sanding before the first application. Depending on the size of your vessel, you will probably only need one coat as well, which will make a big difference in the overall cost of the paint job, as well as the time required from set up to clean up.

Though this paint is not recommended for aluminum-bottomed boats, it’s great for metal and fiberglass hulls. You can also use it on wood-bottomed boats, since the dual-resin properties work well when adhering to wood surfaces.

There are more than a dozen colors to choose from, and they continue to add more. When applied properly, the paint is great at holding its original color, even in harsher salt water and in marinas where there tends to be gas and chemical build-up.

Anyone who wants to leave their boat in the water during the off-season will be pleased with the results that the Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote provides. And, during boating season, you will be even more pleased with the improved speed this coating gives to your boat.

The Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote paint retails for around $110 a gallon, but a little will go a long way, meaning that more than one coat of this paint is probably not necessary. Interlux has a good reputation for standing behind their product and their customer service line is always available to answer any questions you may have while using their product.

5. Rust-Oleum Marine Coating Paint

The Rust-Oleum line of paints has been around for ages, and they are known for producing high-quality products for all sorts of surfaces, inside and out.

So it is no surprise that the Rust-Oleum Marine Coating paint would make my list as one to consider when you want to add protection and speed to your boat’s bottom.

Rust-Oleum Marine Coating is a specially-designed paint for boats that are in need of antifouling protection and want a glossy finish that will allow smooth travel and increased speed. The enamel properties included in the paint mixture will make for an ideal surface coating on any boat bottom that is made from steel surfaces, as well as wood and fiberglass.

Unlike some boat bottom paints, the Rust-Oleum Marine Coating paint doesn’t require any primer before use, meaning that your cost will be less, and your time will be less as well.

Additionally, you can relaunch your boat within 16 hours of applying this paint – a great turnaround time for such detailed work!

This paint is proven to be effective for boats that are kept in saltwater as well as freshwater. Just make sure you give it adequate time to dry, especially if you are relaunching it in a saltwater marina that has a lot of marine activity.

The only potential downside to this choice is that the color choice is limited to black…not ideal for those who want to add a bit more pizazz to the bottom of their hull.

But, if black is a perfectly fine choice for you, then I think you’ll find this paint to be one as well. It retails for around $46 a quart, and is often available in brick-and-mortar stores wherever you can find other Rust-Oleum products.

You can also find it online and it ships quickly to anywhere in the United States.

Rust-Oleum has a one-year, money-back guarantee on all its marine coating paints and customers are always satisfied with how the company handles complaints or concerns about their products.

6. TotalBoat Krypton Bottom Coat Paint

It’s not a shock that two TotalBoat paint products have made my list as being some of the best boat bottom paints for speed.

TotalBoat has an unprecedented reputation in the world of boating products and this one earns a well-deserved spot on any paint job list.

The TotalBoat Krypton Bottom Coat Paint is perfect for anyone who needs a good antifouling protection coat on the bottom of their hull, but also wants maximum performance from their vessel when it comes to speed.

Made of a copolymer formula, the TotalBoat Krypton Bottom Coat is exactly what any avid speed boater is going to find most beneficial when trying to optimize their boat’s capacity for miles per hour. The nature of the copolymer coating means that there is little rigidity to this boat’s surface, which leads to quicker pull through the water and less resistance as well.

The drying time on this paint is impressive, and many customers claim they’ve been able to paint their hull in the morning and launch their boat by mid-afternoon. Prep and clean-up are also a breeze, a real plus when using copolymer paints.

The TotalBoat Krypton Bottom Coat Paint comes in five colors: white, red, dark blue, and sea green. Since only one coat is typically needed, most suggest you only buy one gallon, unless your boat is substantially bigger than 25 feet or so.

It’s easy to find this product online and in many boating supply stores. Since it retails for around $150 a gallon, you may be put off by the higher price tag. But believe me, for the quality of the paint, the ease of use, and the longevity that most customers claim, you won’t be unhappy with the additional few dollars you spend on this paint.

7. Sea Hawk Aluma Boat Paint

As the name implies, the Sea Hawk Aluma Boat Paint is a great option for those boats that are made of aluminum – something that isn’t always available with a number of the other paints on my list.

Many oil-based paints won’t adhere well to aluminum, making it a challenge to find a good antifouling product that will work with aluminum-bottomed boats and give them the necessary protection as well as the increased speed you may be looking for.

But this isn’t the case with the Sea Hawk Aluma Boat Paint.

This paint is specifically designed with aluminum-bottomed boats in mind. The oxide film will not only protect your hull’s bottom from corrosion, sea particles, and salt water, but it will also lend nicely to your craft’s speed, something all boat owners strive for.

The nature of this paint means you will have to do a bit more prep work than you would with some of the other paints on this list. But, since aluminum can be tricky to get paint to adhere to properly, the prep work will be worth it.

A light sanding will be necessary before you apply the Sea Hawk Aluma Boat Paint. Make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area and wear protective face masks, as the paint can be quite toxic.

Once applied, though, you will be happy with the results and can rest assured that not only is your hull protected, but your speed will increase as well.

The Sea Hawk Aluma Boat Paint sells for around $100 a gallon and can be found online and oftentimes at paint supply stores as well.

About THE AUTHOR

Brian Samson

I have a deep love of houseboating and the life-changing experiences houseboating has brought into my life. I’ve been going to Lake Powell on our family’s houseboat for over 30 years and have made many great memories, first as a child and now as a parent. My family has a passion for helping others have similar fun, safe experiences on their houseboat.

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