{"id":579,"date":"2012-09-24T10:07:46","date_gmt":"2012-09-24T14:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/?p=579"},"modified":"2026-03-03T11:59:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T16:59:55","slug":"bottom-paint-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/bottom-paint\/bottom-paint-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need Bottom Paint on My Boat?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"post-updated\"><strong>Last Updated: Feb 10, 2026<\/strong><!--?php echo get_the_modified_date('F j, Y'); ?--><\/p>\r\n<!-- Quick Recommendation Box: Do I Need Bottom Paint on My Boat? -->\r\n<div class=\"bps-quick-reco\" style=\"border: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-left: 6px solid #0a6fb5; background: #f8fbff; padding: 16px 18px; margin: 14px 0 22px; border-radius: 8px;\">\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 8px; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: .06em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #0a6fb5; font-weight: bold;\">Quick Recommendation<\/p>\r\n<h2 style=\"margin: 0 0 10px; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.25;\">Do You Need Bottom Paint on Your Boat?<\/h2>\r\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 18px; line-height: 1.6;\">\r\n<li><strong>Yes\u2014if your boat stays in the water:<\/strong> Boats kept in the water for weeks or months need <strong>bottom paint<\/strong> to prevent algae, slime, and marine growth.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Usually no\u2014if you trailer your boat:<\/strong> Boats that are <strong>trailered and stored dry<\/strong> typically don\u2019t need antifouling paint.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Water type matters:<\/strong> Saltwater and warm climates cause <strong>faster fouling<\/strong> than freshwater or colder regions.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Bottom line:<\/strong> Whether you need bottom paint depends on <strong>how long the boat stays in the water, where it\u2019s kept, and how it\u2019s used<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 12px 0 0; color: #555; line-height: 1.5;\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Applying bottom paint when it\u2019s not needed adds cost and maintenance\u2014choose antifouling only if your boating habits require it.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/CUKOTE-2013.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-854\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/CUKOTE-2013-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Sea Hawk Cukote Bottom Paint\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>Most of the time when bottom paint is considered on a boat it is Antifouling paint. Bottom paint blocks growth of organisms that attach to the hull and can impact a vessels speed, performance, and durability when the boat is stored in water for extended periods of time. Antifouling bottom paint usually has a flat, dull finish that is used below the waterline. If you don\u2019t have this challenge, you may not need bottom paint.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>If you don\u2019t have a growth problem or would like a nice shine to your boat\u2019s bottom look to our other items like<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/fiberglass-and-gel-coat-repair-gelcoat-c-13581_13586.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> gelcoat<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/strong>or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/topside-boat-paint-marine-enamels-c-13630_13646.html\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">topside paint<\/span><\/strong><\/a> for moderate water exposure or an <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/topside-boat-paint-aluminum-boat-paint-c-13630_14141.html\">aluminum paint<\/a><\/span><\/strong> with no antifouling agents. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/gelcoat\/gelcoat-did-not-cure-what-caused-it-and-whats-next\/\">Gelcoat<\/a> adheres to most gelcoats or fiberglass\/resins, see <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/how-to\/how-to-apply-gelcoat\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">how to apply gelcoat<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/span> \u00a0A boat bottom with antifouling will need to have it removed via sanding, sandblasting or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-bottom-paint-remover-c-13523_13538.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">bottom paint remover<\/span><\/a> <\/strong>before a different type of paint will adhere.<\/p>\r\n<p>There are generally two types of bottom paint both of which have several variations that create a multitude of products in the market place. The two different types or categories of bottom paint include <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-hard-bottom-paint-c-13523_13528.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>hard<\/em> bottom paint<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/strong>and <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-selfpolishingablative-bottom-paint-c-13523_13524.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>ablative<\/em> bottom paint<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-hard-bottom-paint-c-13523_13528.html\">Hard Bottom Paint<\/a> <\/span>vs. <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-selfpolishingablative-bottom-paint-c-13523_13524.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ablative Bottom Paint<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-hard-bottom-paint-c-13523_13528.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hard bottom paint<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span> is bottom paint that is a hard modified epoxy. After you apply hard bottom paint it is very durable and does not wear off.<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-hard-bottom-paint-c-13523_13528.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hard bottom<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/strong>paints typically have a higher ratio of pesticides (usually copper) in them that are exposed in the outer surface of the bottom paint coating. As time goes by, the coating oxidizes and becomes less effective in combating marine growth. Hard bottom paint is generally used on boats when the boat sits for long periods of time without moving at all, or there is little movement of water (current\/ tide) around the boat. You should not use a hard paint if you boat comes out of the water such as on a trailer or a lift. After 72 hours, the hard bottom paint will oxidize on the outer surface from the air and becomes ineffective. If you are trailering your boat, or keep it on a lift you should always use ablative bottom paint.<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-selfpolishingablative-bottom-paint-c-13523_13524.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ablative bottom paint<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/strong>,<\/span> also known as self- polishing bottom paint, is softer and allows the coating to wear off at a controlled rate. Much like a bar of soap, once the boat moves in the water or there is a current and or tide, the outer layer slowly wears away. The wearing away of the self-polishing bottom paint allows for new, unoxidized paint to be exposed. Therefore, if you are trailering your boat, or it comes in and out of the water for any reason, the paint will oxidize within 72 hours. However, once placed back in service, that oxidized ablative paint wears away and exposes a new fresh outer coating with active protection. Ablative bottom paint is a newer technology then hard paint. It is the preferred bottom paint of most users since it typically lasts longer and continuously exposes a new active outer coating that protects against marine growth.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>How long does bottom paint last on a boat?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>In general, you should apply <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-c-13523.html\">boat bottom paint<\/a> once a year, however; some bottom paints can last for two years. If your boat is kept in the water or you use it regularly, you you have it checked annually to determine if it requires a new bottom paint coating.<\/p>\r\n<p>For more how to use details see <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/how-to\/apply-bottom-paint-bare-fiberglass\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How to apply bottom paint to bare fiberglass<\/span><\/a> <\/strong>or <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/how-to\/apply-bottom-paint-existing-bottom-paint\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How to apply bottom paint over existing bottom paint.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p align=\"center\">\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>How much does it cost to bottom paint a boat?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2546\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/covered-boat-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"How much does it cost to bottom paint a boat?\" width=\"362\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/covered-boat-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/covered-boat-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/covered-boat-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/covered-boat-624x416.jpeg 624w, https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/covered-boat.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 362px) 100vw, 362px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The cost to paint the bottom of your boat depends on a number of factors including the size of your boat, the paint you choose and whether you use a primer or not. Other factors include whether you will paint your boat or hire someone to paint it. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-c-13523.html\/boat-bottom-paint-top-performing-bottom-paint-c-13523_13525.html\/biocop-tf-selfpolishing-bottom-paint-gallon-p-9472.html\">Biocop TF by Sea Hawk<\/a>, is a popular bottom paint and currently costs $275.77 a gallon and provides theoretical coverage of 315 square feet per gallon. If the bottom surface of your boat is 700 square feet you would theoretically need to purchase three gallons (Biocop is not offered in quarts) at a total cost of $827. 31 for the three gallons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>That may seem expensive for paint, however boat bottom paint uses antifouling properties in order to protect the boat&#8217;s bottom from organisms found in saltwater and other elements.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For information on calculating how much paint you need to paint your boat bottom you can refer to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/paint-calculator\/\">Bottom Paint Calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"http:\/\/w.sharethis.com\/widget\/?wp=6.9.7\"><\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated: Feb 10, 2026 Quick Recommendation Do You Need Bottom Paint on Your Boat? Yes\u2014if your boat stays in the water: Boats kept in the water for weeks or months need bottom paint to prevent algae, slime, and marine growth. Usually no\u2014if you trailer your boat: Boats that are trailered and stored dry typically [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[129,67,482,111,128,273],"class_list":["post-579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bottom-paint","tag-ablative-bottom-paint","tag-apply-bottom-paint","tag-boat-bottom-paint","tag-bottom-paint-2","tag-hard-bottom-paint","tag-need-bottom-paint"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=579"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4200,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579\/revisions\/4200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}