Ablative is normally for sailboats. This type of bottom coating is designed to flake off thus shedding the marine growth. Power boats use the hard paint becausethe higher speeds on a power boat will take the bottom paint off. Bottom paint is critical if you leave the boat in water for long periods of time. If this is the first time bottom painting you might think seriously about putting on some coats of epoxy barrier paint before putting on the bottom paint. The epoxy barrier paint will keep the hull from getting osmosis blisters. Contrary to some beliefs, gel coat is permeable. I'm sure some other folks have some views and additional advice on this fairly critical topic. Good luck. Joe M17 Seafrog -----Original Message----- From: robbin roddewig <robbin.roddewig@verizon.net> Subj: M_Boats: bottom paint question Date: Wed Aug 4, 2010 12:40 pm Size: 554 bytes To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com I am sure this is common knowledge but I cannot find advice of ablative versus hard bottom paint. The article I read in Practical sailor presents both as if the choice was personal taste. Went to the Interlux site and spent some time looking but came up empty. Can you all help me out with this? Thanks Robbin M-23 hull 72, M-10 Tonka _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet! --- message truncated ---