Bottom jobs

[Lee Ward]

We're going to slip our M for a few weeks in fresh water this fall, maybe more depending on the weather, and I'm looking for advice about what to do with the bottom. I would really like to avoid any permanent coatings, but I've never had a boat in the water more than a few days that didn't have bottom paint. I wouldn't want to end up with discolored gel coat, if that's a concern. How long can I leave her in? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Norca]

I had mine in salt water for 5 weeks in Florida last winter.
It came out clean.
I use VS 721 bottom wax from Aurora
After haulout I use algae strip from the same company. it is nasty stuff, but wipe it on and rince with water
takes care of the discoloration of the hull.
I usually apply one coat of wax according to instructions, apply and slightly buff but then I smear a thick coat on and leave it there
this coat eventually wears off, and takes any algae with it when motoring at high speed.
Then I still have a couple of weeks of protection.
This summer I used Hullcote speed polish with similar results.
I have my boat in the water 5-6 weeks at the time and never used paint. the bootom is as clean as when the boat was new.
I would not paint unless the boat was in the water all summer, and even then I think I would jusst haul out and clean / wax / launch again
whenever needed.

[SENCMac26x]

I've been tainted.... every time I see bottom job on this forum I immediately think about "Peaches"