Pettit Paint Racing Bottom Paint

When tenths of a knot matter, the hull finish is part of the performance equation. Pettit Paint's racing bottom paint lineup is built around a simple idea: give racers, trailer boaters and rack-stored boat owners a hard, smooth, burnishable antifouling surface that doesn't give up protection to get speed. Pettit groups these products as Antifouling Speed Coatings, described as high-performance, multi-season racing antifouling bottom paints, with Vivid and Black Widow as the core lines.

Vivid: Hybrid Technology for a Racing Finish

Vivid is the best-known name in Pettit's speed coating family. It is a hybrid, high-performance, multi-season, dual-biocide antifouling paint, and Pettit says its hybrid technology combines the advantages of ablative and hard paints. Its hard, smooth surface withstands trailering and is easily burnished to a high-performance racing finish. Vivid resists build-up and can be hauled and relaunched without repainting, which suits boats that spend time on a trailer or rack between races.

Vivid is also notable for its color range. Pettit positions it as offering the brightest colors, the blackest black and the whitest white available, which is unusual for bottom paint. The line is offered in blue, black, red, green, yellow and white, and Vivid is certified by Lloyd's Register. It is also rated safe for use on properly primed aluminum.

Black Widow and the Speed Coating Family

Black Widow rounds out the speed coating category as Pettit's second racing-focused option. Like Vivid, it is built for competitive boaters who want a smooth, low-friction hull. Local boatyards have also reported good early results, while recommending three coats and careful attention to cure times for best performance.

Thin-Film Options for Fresh and Cold Water

Pettit also offers SR-21 for racers in cooler or fresh water. It is an ultra-thin, super slick, low-friction film for boat bottoms and is described as an ideal racing finish for fresh water or cold saltwater boats. Its dual-biocide formulation combines copper with enhanced technology for multi-season protection. This is worth considering for Great Lakes and inland racing programs.

What to Consider Before You Paint

• Compatibility: Check Pettit's bottom paint compatibility chart before applying over an existing coating. Vivid is listed among the hard paints, so confirm what is on the hull and what prep is needed.
• Burnishing: Hard, smooth finishes can be burnished to reduce drag. Plan time for wet-sanding and polishing if you race competitively.
• Storage habits: Trailered, rack-stored and in-water boats benefit from paints that tolerate repeated haul-outs without losing effectiveness.
• Hull material: Aluminum hulls need proper priming and a paint rated for use on aluminum.
• Water type: Match the paint to your fouling pressure and to whether you sail in fresh, brackish or salt water.

Why Pettit for Racing Bottoms

Pettit has been a staple of the marine coatings world for generations. The company describes its marine coatings as American made, with a range that spans hard, ablative, water-based and hybrid antifouling technologies. That breadth lets racers pair a speed coating with the right primer or barrier coat. To see everything the manufacturer offers, visit the full Pettit Paint brand page, or compare options from other manufacturers in the main Racing Bottom Paint category.