How to remove VS721 to apply bottom paint?

Skipper June 26, 2012 Ask The Skipper

Malcolm Young asked:

I am just about to put VS721 Bottom Coat on a virtually new 22 foot power boat with a clean bottom. I will be trailering the boat with the longest immersion time in the season being 5 weeks in the clean water of the North Channel.

If down the road I find that I wish to keep the boat in our local harbour (river water on Lake Huron) for a season and apply traditional bottom paint, how do I remove VS721 bottom coat?

I have used several Aurora products in the past and have been happy with them.

Answer:

For your convenience, I’ve highlighted the hyperlinks. Click on the hyperlink to get more information about the selected product.

VS721 can be stripped with Boat Scrub. Depending on where you moor your boat and the time of year, you may start to get slime building up on the hull. This can easily be wiped off with a wet sponge. If you keep the slime off, you will not get any other growth. Also, Zebra Mussels can not stick to VS721.

I’m not sure why you would be considering traditional anti-fouling bottom paint since there is a movement underway to ban it all together, especially from fresh water areas. This is because of the damage this toxic paint does to the environment. The biocides are heavy metal neurotoxins that leach into the water and kill microscopic marine life by interfering with their nervous system so they die of convulsions. It also coats the gills of fish, interfering with their ability to breath and can even penetrate human skin and attack your nervous system or that of your children if they are swimming near the boat. Toxic antifouling paint has now been banned in 11 European countries, in parts of California and in Washington state. It’s highly regulated in numerous states and the EPA would like to see it completely gone. Most boat owners are searching for easier ways to get it off their boats.

I think you will find that VS721 will work on your boat even in Lake Huron. You may have to wipe or wash the hull periodically, especially at the end of the season but that is much easier, faster and cheaper than scraping, sanding and painting every year or two, plus you need to apply a barrier coat to prevent Boat Pox (blisters).

Other benefits of VS721 is that it well seal the pores in the gelcoat to prevent Osmosis Blisters, will reduce fuel consumption, increase performance and make hauling and launching easier.

Thanks for your question,

Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar