How often do you clean the bottom in summer? winter?

Roger

In a message dated 8/8/2008 3:58:43 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
cruiser6003@yahoo.com writes:

At the  risk of showing my complete ignorance in this area I'm gonna ask a
really  open ended question...

What is the REAL purpose of bottom paint? and  why does it need to be
reapplied
so often?

Two scenarios

1. Boat  doesn't get used much but has a nice fresh bottom job, a marina queen
   if  you will. Leave the bottom untouched. Barnacles grow at whatever rate  for
   your area. We have boats in my marina like this. What risk are they  assuming?

2. Boat gets used frequently (my case). I take it out, dive  and clean my own
   bottom. Because of frequent cleaning I never see a real  buildup...In fact
   mostly mossy growth and a few dime sized critters. My  bottom paint is in
   horrendous shape....but hull is fine, ie no blisters.  What risk am I
   assuming.

I know the general answers are: Barrier  paint inhibits water penetration and
anti-fouling paint inhibitis critter  growth....but I have neither...stil,
what
risks and to what  degree.

Thanks
Joel Wilkins
m/s Miss Magoo
Columbia 45
S.  Pasadena, FL (water temp  89)

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Snip...How often do you clean the bottom in summer? winter?

Roger endsnip...

Summer I dive it every other month. Winter every quarter.... so 2 times
winter, 3 times summer makes 5 a year. I do have to put on a 3 mil wetsuit in
winter. Someone also mentioned cleaning in the marina. I actually wait till we
get out in the gulf...or on the way out there is a spot too. I like a little
current to float the stuff away. Usually anchor in abt 10-12 feet of water to
do it.

So, from the responses I heard so far...if hull is not prone to blisters then
the paint is primarily to keep critters away. But really no risk if hull is
kept clean mechanically..

I agree regular haulouts are a good idea but that wasn't the thrust of my
question.
Joel Wilkins
m/s Miss Magoo
Columbia 45
S. Pasadena, FL