Bottom paint color choices

[Jim Walsh]

Red has been my color choice of bottom paint for quite a while. Now that I've gone through the trouble to strip and barrier coat the bottom I have a decision to make. Should I make the first coat teal and the top coat red, or vice versa?
The logic is that going forward when the undercoat shows through I'll touch up the top coat and I will never have a build up of paint on the bottom again. I have chosen two widely contrasting colors so it will be easy to see where a touch up is needed, but now I wonder if I should berhaps use the lighter color for the top coat to reduce heat absorption and fouling. Both are ablative and equally toxic.
Teal or red for the top coat.....?

[tjr818]

I would use the color coding of the stop light, green is go (so keep going), red is stop (so if you see, red stop sailing and repaint). Either way,I do like the idea.

[Jim Walsh]

I would use the color coding of the stop light, green is go (so keep going), red is stop (so if you see, red stop sailing and repaint). Either way,I do like the idea.

Very astute observation! This is so logical that I find it irresistible. I was leaning toward the lighter color anyway for the reason I stated but I believe you have convinced me to cogitate no longer. Many thanks

[Neil Gordon]

You really think that heat absorption is an issue for paint that lives underwater?

Is there a rule that both the port and starboard sides have the same color bottom paint? (Asking for a friend.)

[Jeff and Sarah]

I switched from Red to Teal last season and really like the look of it. I also used the 2 color process (I used black for the first coat but it doesn't matter much). Why not try teal and if you don't like it, you can easily switch back at the next recoat.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Jim:

I used blue/red/blue. The "old" bottom paint was Sea Hawk Tropikote Blue. This was sanded and prepped. Then a coat of Sea Hawk Tropikote Red was applied and then a top coat of Sea Hawk Tropikote Blue. All coats are/were non-ablative

I had the same reasoning as you (a little scary, huh ) except I do not haul out every Fall. When I see red bottom paint I know the blue top coat is wearing off. When I see blue bottom paint again then I know it is time to haul out and redo the bottom.

I like Tim's idea of green (go sailing) and red (stop to paint).

[Jim Walsh]

You really think that heat absorption is an issue for paint that lives underwater?

Is there a rule that both the port and starboard sides have the same color bottom paint? (Asking for a friend.)

"Asking for a friend" Hah....

[Neil Gordon]

"Asking for a friend" Hah....

Have you ever met my friends?