Sea Hawk Bottom Paint, Epoxy Primers, and Fiberglass Repair
Sea Hawk manufactures antifouling bottom paints, high-build epoxy primers, and Hawk Epoxy products for boat refinishing and repair. Wholesale Marine carries Sea Hawk coatings for compatible underwater hulls along with resins and fillers for bonding, fairing, gap filling, and fiberglass work.
The right product depends on the hull material, existing coating, local fouling conditions, boat usage, and the type of repair being completed. Review the current Sea Hawk label, technical data sheet, and application instructions before beginning any project.
Shop Sea Hawk by Project
Browse antifouling coatings for compatible underwater hull surfaces and operating conditions.
Find resin, fillers, fiberglass materials, and supplies for compatible hull-repair projects.
Sea Hawk Antifouling Bottom Paint
Sea Hawk offers different antifouling technologies for underwater hull protection. The available choices include self-polishing ablative coatings, harder ablative finishes, and hard-modified epoxy bottom paint. These coatings behave differently as the boat moves through the water and should be selected according to the vessel and its operating environment.
Self-Polishing and Ablative Bottom Paint
A multi-season, copper-based, self-polishing ablative paint with a semi-hard finish for properly prepared fiberglass, steel, and wood hulls.
A multi-season, copper-based antifouling paint with a harder self-polishing ablative finish.
Hard Bottom Paint
A copper-based, hard-modified epoxy antifouling paint for compatible hull surfaces operating in fresh or saltwater.
Comparing Sea Hawk Bottom Paints
| Product | Coating Type | General Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Cukote | Self-polishing ablative | A multi-season option that gradually polishes during use and is formulated to tolerate haul-out periods. |
| AF33 | Harder self-polishing ablative | Provides an ablative coating with a harder finished surface than a traditional soft ablative paint. |
| Sharkskin | Hard-modified epoxy | Creates a hard antifouling surface rather than intentionally wearing away like an ablative coating. |
These products should not be selected by coating type alone. Confirm hull compatibility, existing-paint compatibility, water conditions, required preparation, number of coats, recoat timing, and launch window on the individual product page.
Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff Epoxy Primer
Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff is a high-build epoxy primer used in compatible barrier-coat and metal-priming systems. It can be used above or below the waterline on properly prepared surfaces approved by Sea Hawk, including fiberglass and several metal substrates. Gray and white options make it easier to select a contrasting foundation for the next coating or distinguish between coats during application.
A gray high-build epoxy primer for compatible fiberglass barrier-coat and properly prepared metal-priming applications.
The white version of Sea Hawk’s high-build epoxy primer for compatible barrier-coat and metal-priming systems.
Tuff Stuff should be applied at the specified film thickness and within the stated overcoating schedule. The required number of coats depends on the substrate and whether the primer is being used for a barrier system, repair coat, corrosion protection, or another approved application.
Hawk Epoxy Resin and Repair Fillers
The Hawk Epoxy system allows the base resin to be combined with a compatible Hawk catalyst and, when needed, an appropriate filler. Different fillers alter the mixed epoxy’s weight, consistency, sanding characteristics, and suitability for bonding or fairing.
The base resin for compatible Hawk Epoxy construction and fiberglass-repair systems. A separately selected Hawk catalyst is required.
A general-purpose thickening additive for bonding, gap filling, and filleting with a compatible Hawk resin-and-catalyst mixture.
A lightweight fairing filler formulated to create a strong mixture that is easier to sand and shape.
A lightweight microsphere filler for creating a fairing compound over compatible small or large surface areas.
Choosing a Hawk Epoxy Filler
Bonding, Gap Filling, and Filleting
F2 Structural Adhesive Filler is intended to thicken mixed Hawk Epoxy for bonding, gap-filling, and filleting applications. The amount of filler controls the mixture’s consistency, so follow the Hawk Epoxy application guide for the specific repair.
Fairing and Surface Shaping
F5 and F6 are lightweight fairing fillers. They are used to create a compound that can fill and shape compatible surface irregularities before sanding and refinishing. They should not automatically be substituted for a structural adhesive filler when bond strength is the primary requirement.
Resin and Catalyst Selection
R1 Resin must be combined with an appropriate Hawk Epoxy catalyst. Cure speed and mixing ratio depend on the selected catalyst, working temperature, and project requirements. Do not assume that every catalyst uses the same ratio.
How to Choose Sea Hawk Bottom Paint
Confirm the Hull Material
Check whether the selected coating is approved for fiberglass, wood, steel, aluminum, or another substrate. Copper-based antifouling paints require particular caution around aluminum hulls, outdrives, and underwater aluminum components.
Identify the Existing Bottom Paint
Before recoating, determine whether the existing paint is hard, ablative, or another coating type. If compatibility is unknown or the existing paint is peeling, cracking, or otherwise unsound, additional preparation, a tie coat, or complete removal may be required.
Consider Boat Use and Water Conditions
Freshwater and saltwater locations can have different fouling pressures. Boat speed, time in the water, haul-out schedule, and frequency of use also help determine whether a hard, ablative, or self-polishing coating is appropriate.
Follow the Application Schedule
Surface preparation, film thickness, number of coats, temperature, overcoat time, and launch window vary by product. Follow the current label and technical data rather than applying one general schedule to every Sea Hawk coating.
Shop Sea Hawk at Wholesale Marine
Wholesale Marine carries Sea Hawk bottom paints, Tuff Stuff epoxy primers, Hawk Epoxy resin, and repair fillers for a range of compatible boat-maintenance projects. Review each product page for materials, required companion products, preparation instructions, coverage, mixing ratios, and application timing before ordering.
Sea Hawk FAQs
What is the difference between Sea Hawk Cukote, AF33, and Sharkskin?
Cukote is a self-polishing ablative paint, AF33 has a harder self-polishing ablative finish, and Sharkskin is a hard-modified epoxy bottom paint. The correct choice depends on the hull, existing coating, water conditions, and how the boat is used.
What is the difference between hard and ablative bottom paint?
Ablative bottom paint is designed to wear or polish gradually during use. Hard bottom paint creates a firm coating that does not intentionally wear away in the same manner. Each type has different maintenance and recoating considerations.
Can Sea Hawk copper-based bottom paint be used on aluminum?
Do not apply a copper-based antifouling paint to an aluminum hull, outdrive, or underwater aluminum component unless the current manufacturer instructions explicitly approve the complete coating system. Select a product specifically identified as compatible with aluminum.
Can I apply Sea Hawk bottom paint over an existing coating?
It may be possible when the existing coating is sound and compatible. Identify the current paint and follow Sea Hawk’s preparation and compatibility instructions. Unknown or deteriorated coatings may require a primer, tie coat, or removal.
What is Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff used for?
Tuff Stuff is a high-build epoxy primer used in approved fiberglass barrier-coat, repair, bilge, and metal-priming systems. The required preparation and number of coats depend on the substrate and intended service.
Does Hawk Epoxy R1 Resin require a catalyst?
Yes. R1 Resin must be combined with a compatible Hawk Epoxy catalyst. The proper mixing ratio and cure characteristics depend on the catalyst selected.
What is the difference between an adhesive filler and a fairing filler?
An adhesive filler thickens mixed epoxy for applications such as bonding, gap filling, and filleting. A lightweight fairing filler is intended to create a more easily shaped and sanded compound for smoothing compatible surfaces.
Should filler be added before or after mixing the resin and catalyst?
First combine the resin and catalyst according to the Hawk Epoxy instructions. Then gradually blend in the selected filler until the project requires the appropriate consistency.