AF between the tides ?

bobgosling

bobgosling

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I'm sure I've read about people who apply anti-foul between the tides so I'm sure it can be done but are there any special tips , techniques or considerations ? Are some anti-fouls quicker drying than others ? Does it matter if it is still a little wet when the tide rises again ? Boat is a 28ft fin keel so should be do-able in one tide turn by a couple of people ?

Any suggestions gratefully received, particularly of the "you really don't want to do it this way ..." variety.
 
I've done it a few times, once using the traditional Jotun stuff and last time this August with a hard anti fouling Shogun. I have a 32' motor boat and pre cleaned the hull as much as possible whilst snorkeling. I would definitely recommend having access to a powerful pressure washer as it makes the final cleaning process so much easier. Also if possible use a proper scrubbing grid to gain extra height; crawling under a hull in mud and slime is no fun!

Both times the antifoul has stuck and worked well. Would certainly do it again if need be. Good luck.
 
Bob

Did our ETAP 28i this way for around 5years, never a problem. Select a tide which will give you max working hours. On the Sat we would pressure wash the bottom, change anode and have a good look around, maybe touch up with a bit of primer if needed and wet and dry the bottom.

Sunday, on the next tide, as the bottom becomes exposed wash off with the pressure washer. The water tend to dry off quickly. To ensure a good surface we would then give it a wipe over with white spirit, have a cup of tea then start with the antifoul.

Two people can easily get the job done and you can get two coats on with one tide. As I said we did this for 5 years, never experiencing any problems.

Oh, just for the record used Blakes A/F, only cos that is what worked well in our area. (Emsworth)
 
I have always antifouled between tides. However this year I decided to enjoy the delights of Herm and took all the stuff with me and antifouled while there. Only difference to previos times was no access to fresh water for a final rinse off and the antifoul (Seago) has not taken well at all /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. I have put this down to the salt water.
 
Only done it once, and no real problems as others have reported, but if you think trying to get a few dabs of a/f on the underside of the keel is hard when she's ashore and chocked up, just try doing it when the keel is sitting in an indeterminate depth of smelly black ooze. A proper scrubbing grid suddenly becomes one of man's finests inventions. Also, were you planning to polish the prop at the same time, or do you antifoul it?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Must be washed with fresh water

[/ QUOTE ] Yep, learned that the hard way - 4 hours cleaning and painting wasted cos we washed it with salt water. Half of it just fell off the next tide. Ended up with the best crop of weed and barnacles I've ever grown...
 
Re: AF between the tides - Catch 22

The Catch 22 is that this is an easy job at the height of summer. The daylight is long enough for you to see your way onto and off the grid morning and evening, the weather is warm and the washing water will dry off fast.

However, this is the very time of year when marinas offer cheap lift out deals!

It is a horrid job at this time of year.
 
Lots of helpers with big rollers. Then you can concentrate on masking off the waterline and doing the tiddly bits /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I don't A/F very often but did it this year - cleaned up hull on day one then undercoat and one and a half A/F coats in a tide on day two.

On reflection I would have been better putting undercoat on on day one.
 
"Must be washed with fresh water "

Yes, technically it should, but we've done it a few times without washing in fresh water (because there wasn't any available) and haven't had a problem. That was using International Cruiser and last two times we have used Blakes Cruiser AF.

Incidentally, I found it much easier to clean the bottom off when it was antifouled with Blakes than with International.
 
My father used to use a hose connected up to the boat's pressure water system to wash down.

I guess non-pressure boats could us a siphon. No problem with lack of height /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Done it and it's OK but that was summer.

A ladder is a good idea! for getting on and off the boat when she's high and dry!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have some pride in your boat and lift it out and antifoul it properly!

[/ QUOTE ] I do - I do! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif But NEVER had it lifted for anti foulng - always done it between tides - and often without a fresh water rinse. Provided the surface is properly dried out - which makes it a summers days job (the best knd of sailing weather usually!) - I never had any problem with adhesion. Any trace of damp it wont stick though. I suspect that not washing the salt off means the surface has remained too damp for the new coating. Used to use Blakes Cruiser, but now upgraded to Tiger Extra much more effective!

Been doing it for nearly 40 years now, and cannot understand what all the fuss is about doing it between tides - for me its the only way /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
We (4 of us) did the AF on a tide at St Peter Port. See page 3/4 from this site for some pics. Moana Pics
We had a high pressure washer and each of us had disposable overalls and rollers and a tray each.

As soon as we had dried, the hull was blasted off with the pressure washer. There was electricity and a tap nearby so that made it much easier - I don't think I would do it without the pressure washer. Drying the hull was a bit of a problem as it was early season and the sky was mostly overcast but we helped the drying process with some rags. Then masked up - difficult to reach so we needed a workmate but all done in less than 1 hour. Had a cup of tea (or was it something stronger - I can't remember) and then poured the AF (it was XM brand - nothing special). With four of us and two at the bow and two at the stern working towards the middle we had a fulll coat on in about 30 mins. Had another break - about 30 mins then did the same again (we had 20 litres of AF so plenty for two full coats). Done and dusted in less than 3 hours and time to do the fiddly bits and under the keel where accessible (only possible on a decent grid arrangement). Pulled off the masking tape and we were off to the pub!

The tide came back in whilst we ate dinner in a nearby restaurant and in the dark moved back to a pontoon berth.

The next winter the boat came ashore and I was able to examine the AF coating. The top layer was somewhat loose and came off relatively easy with a scraper but hadn't come away unaided. In my opinion the lack of adhesion to the substrate (prev. AF) was actually a bonus as I prefer not to have the build up. I think the lack of adhesion was caused by the dampness of the hull when coating but it didn't affect the AF performance. I may have been lucky and if the hull was too damp the AF may have come away during use but it didn't for me.

I would definitely do it again and as I may stay afloat this winter it is likely that next Easter I may be in St Peter Port on the scrubbing grid once more!

Dave
 
OK I can sneek in a 'where is it' /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

AFMay067.jpg
 
One tip I usually forget myself is to put a couple of large buckets full of water next to the ladder so you can wash your feet before going on board . Amazing how much mud gets aboard if you dont keep on top of it.
555929052fccb9d158c63003885deb55064.jpg
 
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