Dave,
I use Interlux VC Offshore for my race boat, j-24 and Interlux micron WA on my cruising boat, a 36-1, Talisman, (Which is about three boats behind you at your winter yard.) Both boats sit in the Mystic River. I did an original spray job on the 24 three years ago and now just do a touch up roll and tip and then wet sand down to 1000. I have burnished with steel wool in the past but really do not think it gets it much better than the 1000 grit. Usually, the mistakes we make above water more than cancel out anything bottom related! I just made the switch to the Micron on the 36 and while it is not designed to be a race bottom paint I really like it. Easy water-based cleanup and covers great and pretty good protection. I have found that VC Offshore and Baltoplate seem to be the primary racing paints used around here and the antifouling characteristics are not that great. I need to scrub weekly for wed night races and if I am doing a sat regatta it will need it again. A lot of locals are using Petit Vivid as well. It is a harder paint than the ablatives. Not sure if you can actually burnish it. Practical Sailor has done some good paint review tests but they are not evaluating speed. Good luck! John McCrea Mystic, CT Talisman 1979-36-1 Cluster Duck J24 From: David Knecht via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 12:46 PM To: CnC CnC discussion list <CnC-List@cnc-list.com> Cc: David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com> Subject: Stus-List Burnished bottom paint I have been considering what kind of bottom paint to use in the future and it seems that most racers have a very hard/smooth/burnished bottom on their boats. So, I was wondering if there is data to support that this is important. One reason for asking is that in addition to being a sailor, I am also a cyclist. A few years ago, the hypothesis that was accepted by all cyclists, including pro teams, was that thin, high pressure tires were the fastest. Then someone actually did the experimental science, and found that wider, lower pressure tires were actually as fast or faster. Counterintuitive, but data trumps intuition, and that is why we should test obvious and intuitive assumptions. So my question is, has anyone seen actual experimental data on comparing different smoothnesses and type of bottom paint vs. boat speed under controlled conditions? Thanks- Dave S/V Aries 1990 C&C 34+ New London, CT
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