Unfortunately this is the direction things are going.  Coming to a state near you... http://www.boatus.com/gov/states/archives/wa/wa_antifouling.asp

Interesting website read.  With nearly 80% copper content it has to be effective although that depends on how much copper (what fraction of the painted area is copper) is actually exposed versus what fraction of the weight that is fully encased in the epoxy matrix and so not working (yet).  Eventually the whole coating will dissolve away so the notion that a mere touchup after 10 years buys you another 10 years is faulty--it will require a complete recoat to wind the 10 year clock back to zero.  The initial cost outlay is pretty steep.  However, I wouldn't give up on it based on the comments of only two cruisers---maybe cost was the deterrent, not failure to perform as advertised.  Copper is expensive, but it's not so expensive as to warrant an $1,800 bottom paint cost for a W32.  Let's keep asking questions.  But I especially like the idea of checking with commercial fishermen for the most cost effective solution to fouling.

Hi everyone,

I do have the CopperPoxy  on my hull for more than 5 years but Polaris is still not in the water, as I have not figured out how to lift the hull high enough to finish the areas on the keel where that part rests on the cradle.

Now I hear that Washington State is going to outlaw copper bottoms by 2018. Does that mean stuff like Neptune (my previous paint that sloffed off)and/ or including the hard coating that does not dissolve as easily? Interestingly, only boats below a certain size are affected.  So what is the real deal here?

I bought the CopperPoxy because the coating also acts as a barrier coat preventing hydrogen migrating through the polyesther resin and thereby causing blisters (aka.Polyester mites). I used Interlux barrier protection 2001e first, then the copper stuff came out.

When Polaris gets launched, I'll post the results after a season of usage. I still can't get over the consideration that applying bottom paint every year or so, when once every 8 years  that is less toxic than the approved stuff.

Thank you,

Mike Z