Interlux V1181CA VC® Offshore Bottom Paint – Black, 1 Gallon

Interlux VC® Offshore is a hard antifouling bottom paint formulated for performance-focused sailors and powerboat owners who want biofouling protection without sacrificing hull speed. The fluoro-microadditive in the formula creates a hard, smooth, low-friction surface that can be burnished or polished to a very fine profile — delivering antifouling performance alongside the kind of finish that competitive racers and serious cruisers actually want on the bottom of their boat.

This listing is for the black, 1-gallon (V1181CA) formulation. VC® Offshore is suitable for both fresh and salt water applications.

Application note: VC® Offshore is a hard antifouling system. Confirm that your existing hull coating is compatible with hard antifouling products before applying. If you are transitioning from an ablative or soft antifouling, surface preparation requirements will be more extensive. Refer to the Interlux technical data sheet for your specific substrate and coating history.

Compatible Applications

• Performance sail boats — racing and performance cruising hulls where a smooth, polishable finish matters
• Performance power boats — hard bottom protection with a low-drag finish
• Fresh water use — effective antifouling in fresh water environments
• Salt water use — full antifouling performance in coastal and offshore salt water
• Not recommended for boats switching from soft/ablative antifouling without complete removal and surface prep first

Part Information

• Part number: V1181CA
• SKU: 94-V1181CA
• Brand: Interlux
• Type: Hard antifouling bottom paint
• Series: VC® Offshore
• Color: Black
• Size: 1 Gallon
• Finish: Hard, smooth, polishable low-friction surface with fluoro-microadditive
• Application method: Roller, brush, or spray (refer to TDS for spray setup)
• Environment: Fresh water and salt water
• Barcode: 058125191189
• Condition: New

Surface Preparation & System Notes

• Surface must be clean, dry, and free of contamination before application
• Confirm compatibility with existing coatings before applying — hard antifouling over ablative or soft antifouling can cause adhesion failure or lifting
• Bare or new fiberglass hulls should receive a compatible epoxy barrier coat primer before antifouling application
• Apply according to the Interlux technical data sheet for recoat windows, coverage rates, and number of coats
• Can be burnished or polished between coats and after final cure for a lower-drag finish — follow Interlux guidelines for polishing grit and technique
• Stir thoroughly before and during application; do not thin unless specified in the TDS

Technical FAQ

Q: What makes VC® Offshore different from standard antifouling paints?
VC® Offshore uses a fluoro-microadditive that gives the cured film a harder, smoother, lower-friction surface than most conventional antifouling paints. This means the paint film can be polished after application to further reduce drag — making it a favorite for racing and performance-oriented applications where hull speed matters alongside fouling protection.

Q: Can I apply VC® Offshore over my existing bottom paint?
It depends on what’s currently on your hull. Hard antifouling products like VC® Offshore are generally not compatible with ablative or soft antifouling paints. If you’re switching systems, the existing antifouling typically needs to be fully removed first. Test adhesion and consult the Interlux application guide or contact Interlux technical support to confirm your specific situation before applying.

Q: How many coats are required?
Interlux typically recommends two coats for a new application, with additional coats in high-wear areas. Coverage depends on hull size and application method. Refer to the Interlux technical data sheet for the V1181CA for specific coverage rates per coat.

Q: Can VC® Offshore be polished or burnished?
Yes — this is one of the defining characteristics of the VC® Offshore system. The cured surface can be wet-sanded and burnished to a lower, smoother profile for reduced drag. Follow Interlux’s published polishing recommendations for grit progression and technique.

Q: Is the black color available in other sizes?
Yes. VC® Offshore black is also available in a quart size — see the Interlux V118QTCA VC Offshore Black, 1 Qt. listing. The blue formulation is available in both gallon and quart sizes.

Related Interlux Products

• Interlux V118QTCA VC® Offshore – Black, 1 Quart — quart size of this same formulation
• Interlux V1161CA VC® Offshore – Blue, 1 Gallon
• Interlux V116QTCA VC® Offshore – Blue, 1 Quart
• Interlux V127KIT2CA VC® Performance Epoxy – 2 Gallon Kit — non-antifouling racing epoxy alternative for rack-stored and trailered boats
• Interlux Interprotect 2000E Epoxy Barrier Coat Primer – Gray, Gallon Kit — recommended epoxy barrier coat for bare or new hulls

Parts Desk Insights

VC® Offshore is the antifouling choice for performance-focused boats — the best use case is any hull where the owner wants real biofouling protection alongside the ability to polish the bottom to a race-ready finish. It’s particularly popular with sailboat racers and high-performance powerboat owners who won’t accept the drag penalty of a conventional soft antifouling. The most common issue we see is customers trying to apply it over an existing ablative or soft antifouling without removing it first — hard antifouling does not bond reliably over soft antifouling, and the result is peeling or delamination. If you’re not sure what’s currently on your hull, do a compatibility test before committing to a full application. The black formulation is a popular choice for aesthetics as well as practical reasons — dark bottoms absorb heat slightly differently and black hides growth better visually between haul-outs. If you need just a touch-up quantity, the quart size (V118QTCA) is available too.