Xena redid her bottom with an epoxy product... I believe it is called Durapox. The stuff is VERY hard. We did the prep work and KKMI did the spraying. After spraying there was some "orange peel" texture that had to be knocked down. I long-boarded it twice and had to go to 400 grit to cut through this stuff. I still need to long-board it one more time to have a really smooth bottom, but it is pretty good now.

Even though the hardness makes it very difficult to sand, it does make it very durable. We have banged up the bottom a couple of times now, with NO impact on the smoothness of the bottom. For instance in the Vallejo Race this past weekend, on Saturday we hit some old pilings along the Richmond fuel dock while seeking current relief. When we pulled the boat out of the water on Sunday, there were just minor smudges that were easily wet-sanded out with 600 grit paper.

I'd have to say this is the best racing bottom I've had on a boat... but, only useful for drysailing, of course.

Mark Lowry

:: So are you dry sailing or leaving it in that great Delta
:: water?
::
::
::
:: :: This is for Loose Cannon #34, its comin along and
:: :: hopefully be out racing soon. Ditch Run is my target.
:: ::
:: :: :: Andy,
:: :: ::
:: :: :: It depends on what you are going to do with the boat,
:: :: :: dry sail or wet sail. Since you are taking off the old
:: :: :: bottom paint I would assume dry sail. If that is the
:: :: :: case then I would suggest a two part epoxy paint. I did
:: :: :: this to Exocet by just rolling it on with a sponge type
:: :: :: roller. Then I spent many, many hours with a long board
:: :: :: getting it smooth as glass. Then buff it out and it will
:: :: :: last a long time.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: If you are wet sailing it then you will probably want
:: :: :: something much better for anti-fouling. I believe "Light
:: :: :: n Up" used some new technology stuff on their bottom
:: :: :: last year. Depending on were you live (i.e.- not in
:: :: :: California) then you can probably have a lot more
:: :: :: options. I forget the name of what they used but
:: :: :: hopefully they will chime in.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: I had the graphite stuff on the bottom of Opus when I
:: :: :: first bought her and when wet sanded smooth it worked
:: :: :: just fine for dry sailing.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Hope this helps.
:: :: ::

:: :: :: -Jason

:: :: ::

:: :: :: -btw - what boat do you own?

:: :: ::
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Years ago I used an a graphite impregnated epoxy barrier
:: :: :: :: coat on a daysailor. It was a pretty standard product
:: :: :: :: from West system or similar. It was supposed to be
:: :: :: :: slippery but I cant vouch for it.