www.iFourWinns.com

My 2001 328 Four Winns I purchased this spring had Interlux VC Performance Epoxy applied to its underside in 2006. The previous owner boated in the Trent Severn waterways here in Ontario were antifouling was not much of a problem.

However, where I boat (Lake St.Clair and the Great Lakes in Ontario, Canada) we need a decent antifouling paint on our boat bottoms.

I called Interlux and the good news is most antifouling paints are compatible with the Intelux Performance Expoxy - that's a good thing.

I knew when I bought this boat that I would give the underside a good scrupping every three weeks or so to keep the bottom reasonably clean and I would then apply appropriate bottom paint next spring before launch.

I am considering applying Interlux Micron CSC or Interlux VC-17.

The Interlux technical help support claimed that at the same cruising speed (30 MPH) that there would be about a 500 RPM difference between CSC and VC-17. Meaning for the 30 MPH speed your engines with VC-17 would require 500 RPM less to obtain 30 MPH as compared to CSC. That to me is quite a significant difference over the course of running the boat for the season.

Does this claim sound reasonable to you? Would you have a preference between VC-17 and Micron CSC or is there another bottom paint that you would recommend for my boat being used in the Great Lakes area?

Thanks,
Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Most popular in our area (where you really need to have it) is VC-17. That is my recommendation.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Why do we need it in the Great lakes? I have heard the opposite, I have non on my boat.
It is a genuine question as maybe I need to have it added.

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Terry
2005 Vista 348
5.7 Volvo I/O

Hi Terry,

Your waters in Georgian Bay will be cooler than in the lower Great Lakes area and your waters may be less prone to fouling in general? I like boating in Georgian Bay, nice clear deep water. Much more rock bottom vs our mud/weed/sand bottom in Lake St.Clair.

If you don't see much growth at your water line area over the course of your boating season than I would think you would be ok without bottom paint if that is want you wanted.

A boat without bottom paint in our area you will definately see growth on the boat sides in the warm summer months within about 1 - 2 weeks. One month and you could have that green shag carpet look. Yuk.

Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation