VS721 for Full Season

Skipper March 7, 2011 Ask The Skipper

Tom Guhl has submitted the following:

My 30′ sailboat launches first of May and comes out first of Nov, sailing on Lake Ontario. Most boats in the club use VC17 and have a full thin coating of algae and a few zebra mussels at the end of the season. It would be hard to scrub my bottom through the season, and I sail/race 1-2 times/wk. I intend to put a barrier coat on this spring. I have no blisters at this point.

With this type of boat usage, season length, and water conditions, would VS721 last the full season? How would it compare to VC17? Does it have to be put on a stripped bottom? Can it go over a newly applied barrier coat? Would it be in place of a Barrier coat? Sorry, this is more then one question.
Tom Guhl
Oday

Answer:

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

VS721 will give you about the same antifouling benefits as VC17 but it will resist the attachment of Zebra Mussels better. It’s rare to see any Zebra Mussels attached to a VS721 coated bottom. If you start to see slime towards the end of the season, it can easily be wiped off with a sponge or Marine Power Mitt. Scrubbing is not required. This can be done either by diving under the boat or taking the boat to a sandbar or close to shore, providing the keel is not too deep, and wiping off any slime. Because of the regular use of your boat the slime build up should be minimal, except at the transom.

VS721 will give you some other benefits as well. It seals the gelcoat to prevent osmosis blistering therefore eliminating the need for a barrier coat. You need to strip off the old paint and apply the VS721 directly to the bare hull. Preparation is to scrub the surface with Boat Scrub to deep clean the gelcoat and maximize the adhesion. If you want to apply a barrier coat, you can still apply VS721 to the barrier coat, but it’s not necessary and will just add weight. It does not contain neurotoxins like antifouling paint and is environment friendly. VS721 will last the full season in the Great Lakes area.

It will also help with your racing. VS721 has been proven to consistently put racers in the winners circle (World and National Championships and more). Sailors report ¼ to ½ knot better top speed and it will give you an advantage in light airs, allowing you to keep sailing when others are becalmed. It will also allow you to point higher, tack faster and gain more lift. It’s perfectly clear so you’ll be able to show off your beautiful white, factory bottom when you’re healing.

Thanks for your questions,
Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar