Will VS721 antifoul my pontoon boat?

Skipper July 29, 2025 Ask The Skipper

Robert Davis asked:

Can I use Aurora Boat Scrub on a fiberglass boat that has a permanent resin bottom coat over gel coat on the hull.

I have been using VC17 each year over the bottom coat but for next season I would like to use your VS721 product. I just used VS721 on my new aluminum pontoon boat after first putting 4 coats of Alumetron and it is much nicer to use than VC17. Please let me know. Thank you

Answer:

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Hi Robert,

Permanent resin bottom coat over gelcoat is usually an epoxy skim coat or epoxy with fillers, depending on whether it was applied as a barrier coat or to smooth or repair the gelcoat. Either way, you can use Boat Scrub^® to clean it and remove scuff marks and stains. You can then apply VS721^® directly to the permanent resin bottom coat.

You mention that you have been using VC17 on the bottom. Boat Scrub cannot be used to remove it. You will first need to sand off the VC17 and then use Boat Scrub to prep the surface for VS721^®. I recommend 600 grit wet sandpaper. VS721^® cannot be applied over existing antifouling paint.

VS721^® also seals the pores in gelcoat, eliminating the need and cost of applying a barrier coat, to prevent boat pox (osmosis blistering). In your case, you already have a waterproof epoxy coating, so this is not an issue for you.

Boat owners ask me all the time; “Has VC17 been discontinued?” Yes, VC17 has been discontinued due to concerns about environmental damage it can cause. Many boat owners have gone to VS721^®, instead of other antifouling paint, because it provides the same antifouling properties as VC17, but is easier to apply, is clear so the beauty of the boat bottom color can be preserved, provides less friction on the hull which improves performance plus saves fuel and is environment friendly. Unlike VC17, VS721^® does not ablate into the water, even at high speeds.

VS721^® has been especially popular with sailboat owners that race their boats. Independent tests showed that VS721^® reduced the friction on the hull of a fiberglass boat by 16% at 20mph. This provides a huge advantage to racing sailboats. It allows them to sail in light airs when other boats are becalmed, they can accelerate faster when rounding buoys or markers, gives them greater downwind speed, allows them to point higher and tack faster.

Of course, the skill of the sailors and some help from Lady Luck also plays a huge part in winning races, but many racers credit the advantage they get from using VS721^® to winning races or at least improving their ranking. VC17 was popular with sailboat owners as it was easier to apply than other antifouling paint and reduced the drag to improve performance of the boat, however, VS721^® is proven outperform VC17 and other performance enhancing hull coatings.

VS721^® has also been proven on the professional powerboat racing circuit. It’s been credited with helping win the Superboat World Championship plus about 12 other awards, by a team in their rookie year, in a used boat, racing against factory teams.

The point of reminding you of the benefits of VS721^® is that now you know what to expect and can better monitor how your boat performs. The more you know about your boat, the better you’ll be able to maintain and enjoy it. With proper maintenance, the VS721^® applied over the Alumetron^® on your pontoon boat can protect the finish against staining, discoloration and marine fouling for up to 10 years and even comes with a 3 year factory warranty. When you go to sell or trade your pontoon boat, you’ll discover that it’s worth 10% to 20% more than comparable boats without protection on their pontoons and it will be a more desirable, easier to sell, boat.

VS721^® is becoming more popular every year and is one of our top selling products. It requires annual re-application. Boaters are asking if we offer a subscription plan, where we automatically send out the VS721^® and other related products every spring so they can avoid the hassle of ordering it to arrive on time. Spring commissioning is always a busy and hectic time. Not yet, but it’s coming. If you sign up on our website, we’ll let you know when it becomes available.

Thanks for your question,

Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar