Bottom wax - Fresh water

[Russ]

I've seen several "bottom wax" and the like products on the market that claim to keep your bottom clean and free of slime.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or opinions on these.

We'll be slipping our boat in fresh water that is relatively cold, but I'd like to keep the bottom as clean as possible and these products look like they might be a good idea.

[ghardy]

I gave the Aurora Bottom Wax two seasons to try and prove itself. After applying five coats of wax, the bottom was covered in slime after a few weeks in the slip. I kept the boat in a freshwater lake, moderate temperature.
I am painting the bottom this year, I will see how that works.

[tangentair]

Da&#, 5 coats, I hope my kid doesn't read this, I just talked him into waxing the boat this weekend - Anyone use a wax that worked? I went most of last season in Lake Mich. "bare" and washed it after each outing with a soapy sponge and normal hose pressure - well maybe not after every outing but sort of regularly.

[Terry]

I am going to try Boat Armour Easy-on Bottom Coat this year over top of the Aurora wax for a sea test - see how it works. They claim it does well in fresh water but I am in salt.
The Auroara wax only makes it easier to clean but does not meet my requirements for anti-fouling.

[John McDonough]

I have tried many brands of wax, I have not found anything that stops slime from growing.. Yet. I hope someone writes in with more info..

I often considered applying antifouling paint to my 26X. Way too much work. Sanding, Barrier coat and then paint. Even if I keep my boat in a wet dock siip I put it on the trailer after a few weeks to clean it and dry it out for a day or two. If it ever blisters I will then sand it and paint it.

I apply 3 coats of Boat US premium wax with teflon on my 26x. Top Bottom and inside. I have noticed that if the boat sits at the dock more than 1 week a thin film of slime starts to grow. I make a habit of going to a shallow 2 foot sandbar, jump into the water with a long handle brush and in less than 10 minutes I can completely walk around the hull and brush it super clean and slippery. If I let the slime build up more than 3 week it requires a little more ellbow grease or a rough pad to get off the slime. Keeping the bottom clean saves fuel and improves sailing.

I have read that using wax can encourage slime to grow..?? I have read that the gelcoat finish is far superior to wax, if you keep it clean with frequent cleaning. I also read that you can use a very fine wet sandpaper to polish the bottom gel coat. I have done it a few times and it is definitly very smooth, but I never noticed any improvement in speed. If you are really interested in speed, you should sell your macgregor.

Good Luck and still waiting for a Wax with anti-fouling.

[Russ]

I'm looking at Aurora VS721 and Super Slick.

Not sure if it will help, but couldn't hurt.

[PeteC]

I wonder if 303 would work as a hull "wax".

From their website:

"Does 303 replace Wax on Fiberglass?

Gelcoat fiberglass is polyester resin with the pigment in the resin, commonly used in boats, RV's, snowmobiles, jet ski's, etc. Gelcoat fiberglass rapidly fades and chalks with traditional maintenance being tedious and repetitive buffing and waxing.

303 Aerospace Protectant is an alternative to buffing and waxing. 303 restores like new color and gloss to faded gelcoat fiberglass by spraying on and polishing completely dry.

A new appearance is maintained with periodic spray on/wipe off applications usually every 45-60 days of exposure. Fiberglass shines. Colors stay bright.

In addition, the 303'd surface is extremely repellent to water, soiling and staining, …staying cleaner longer and clean up is much easier when soiled.

So for gelcoat fiberglass 303 Aerospace Protectant is a superior with respect to ease of use, level of protection, appearance and repellency. "

<http://www.303products.com/tech/index.c ... uct_ID=310>

[Terry]

I'm looking at Aurora VS721 and Super Slick.

Not sure if it will help, but couldn't hurt.

What is 'Super Slick'?
I use the VS721 over a very well cleaned hull, no base prep as in the Collonite line where one uses the colonite 885 cleaner polisher first then the Colonite 995 paste wax (guessing on those numbers) sort of wish there was something in the Aurora line besides the Boat Scrub I use. Anyway I plan to put at least three coats on then try the Boat Armour or check out what that Super Slick stuff is and try that. Can you provide more info on it?

[Russ]

I'm looking at Aurora VS721 and Super Slick.

Not sure if it will help, but couldn't hurt.

What is 'Super Slick'?
I use the VS721 over a very well cleaned hull, no base prep as in the Collonite line where one uses the colonite 885 cleaner polisher first then the Colonite 995 paste wax (guessing on those numbers) sort of wish there was something in the Aurora line besides the Boat Scrub I use. Anyway I plan to put at least three coats on then try the Boat Armour or check out what that Super Slick stuff is and try that. Can you provide more info on it?

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... 21716&aID=

Well, at second thought, I'm not sure I like this product. After reading about it, you smear on this stuff like paste and the slime sticks to SuperSlick and then you can wash the SuperSlick off.
You must launch within 12 hours of application. The application seems difficult as you don't buff it off but rather leave a coating on. My understanding is it acts like a slime condom for your hull. End of the season, you power wash it off and your hull is left clean behind.

Sounds like it's not as "slick" as I'd like and would reduce speed by adding friction. At least that's my understanding.