I went over the bottom in June to correct as many imperfections as I could spot This close-up photo (from June) shows just one example, where this crazing was filled with thickened epoxy.

The next steps are to apply a barrier coat consisting of several coats of straight epoxy, then 4-6 coats of epoxy-based barrier coating primer. I began by masking off the boot stripe with several wide lengths of tape, then a double thickness of narrower tape along the bottom edge. The double thickness will not only provide additional protection while sanding, but I will be able to remove the outer layer after the epoxy coating, creating a fresh mask for the primer.

Here there are two coats of epoxy, which is sufficient.

After washing down the bottom with warm, soapy water and a scotch-brite pad to remove the amine blush I sanded, then removed the outer layer of tape.

I used Interlux InterProtect 2000E Barrier Coat Epoxy Primer, for which multiple coats can be applied without sanding between coats. I started with gray…

,,,then I used white so that coverage was easy to identify.

I finished with a coat of gray, then removed the masking,

I will do two more coats in the days leading up to launch (Summer 2020) then follow with traditional antifouling paint.