Bottom Paint Study Update

Since the fall of ’07, this writer and her husband’s boat has been part of a bottom paint study to test the efficacy of the biocide Econea, an eco-friendly product produced by Janssen Pharmaceutica and sold to different paint companies. Three paints were applied to the bottom of our Crealock 37 — one control paint containing 67% copper, one solvent-based test paint and one water-based test paint. After a year, the water-based paint, in our opinion as boat owners, was not only the best among the three, but the best paint we’d ever used. There was zero hard growth on all three — which made them equally ‘successful’ in the eye of study coordinator Jack Hickey, as that is the study’s primary focus — but the water-based paint had very little slime or grass. The other two were mini-ecosystems unto their own.

In the spring of ’09, we were asked to continue in the program, and we agreed on the condition that one of the test paints continue to be the water-based paint. A different solvent-based test paint — one that had proven more successful than the previous paint — was applied, the control paint was refreshed, and we were back in business. Subsequent checks showed the new solvent paint testing well, but still not quite as well as our beloved water-based paint.

On Monday, we hauled out at KKMI’s new Sausalito yard for what could have been our final check. "We’ll have to see what the bottom looks like before we know if you can continue in the study," Jack told us. As our boat cleared the water, it was obvious that all three paints were in good enough condition to keep going. A thorough inspection by Jack, and he confirmed. We’ll continue in the study until next spring, when the program will officially end.

So how did our ‘horse’ do this time? Once again, the water-based paint led the pack. In talking with Jack, though, it appears the solvent-based test paint is likely to come to market sooner than the water paint. "I’m actually working with the paint company to get that one approved for sale," he said. Still no names for any of the test paints, but Dave Helmer of Janssen has promised to pass my information on to the manufacturer of the water paint — privacy agreements prohibit him from sharing their name — so we may yet find out who makes this miracle paint.