Anti-foul disappointment

[Neil]

As this is the first boat that I've actually left in the water, I'm not to sure what to expect from my anti foul. Last summer (May, early June?), I had it lifted out and power-washed it, nearly breaking my wrist pressing the trigger on the petrol motor driven power washer holding the lance with one hand - it was so powerful that it took off the weed and much of the old anti-foul. I followed up with wire-brushing the missed spots and gave it two coats of anti foul (3 on the rudder), using some name-brand stuff (I think it was International Cruiser). The rudder quite quickly grew a forrest, and the waterline eventually followed, so by the end of the season, it was somewhat hairy. I scraped off the worst of it, but even over the winter, considerable growth has occurred.

I'd hoped to have it last a whole year at the least and maybe two seasons. Is this an unreasonable expectation? What tips for a better result? I'd like to Coppercoat, but that's a quantum leap in effort and expense.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

It entirely depends on local conditions. I'm on the Clyde; here it is not at all unusual for antifouling to last for two seasons, and for the last few years my regime has been to have Capricious out every second winter. I'm planning on Coppercoating her this summer; given the light fouling that I encounter, I expect that to mean that I can leave her in the water except for occasional hoists to scrube her.

 

[TradewindSailor]

I used to use soft ablatives like Amcoat ABC 3 ...... If I put enough on, it would last 3 years; finally getting so thin that it had to be replaced. It worked very well on my 36' monohull.

I now have a 40 catamaran that often gets up to 15kts and sometimes more. The soft ablative wouldn't last very long, so I went for a harder type. It does foul .... but scrubbing it with a coarse scrubby brings it back, and in these waters that seems to be every month. I suspect I would have to do the same if I used Coppercoat too.

 

[trapezeartist]

There's never a definitive answer to anti-foul questions. There are just too many variables. I have the feeling that the mild winter has resulted in more fouling growth during the normally growth-free months. It has also resulted in far more green appearing on decks and canvas.

But at least there weren't any frosts

 

[William_H]

Disappointment is inevitable with anti foul paint. I reckon I can go 6 weeks from application to the first need for in water wipe down. But it is a little boat and I need it to be clean to compete against the big boats. It is in relatively warm water such that I can swim under it to clean it without we suit. Currently I would need to wipe it down at a minimum each week before a race. Fortunately still a pleasure in the water. good luck olewill

 

[jwilson]

The weed in your location obviously likes the taste of whatever brand you used. Ask others locally what they used: you should find something better. Locally means VERY locally, you can get differences in weed/mollusc growth half a mile apart.

 

[pampas]

The weed in your location obviously likes the taste of whatever brand you used. Ask others locally what they used: you should find something better. Locally means VERY locally, you can get differences in weed/mollusc growth half a mile apart.

Seen the difference on 2 boats (Adjacent) 1/2 tide moorings using the same brand and colour,.One in a manor of speaking, sinking from the growth, the other apart from slime free of Barnies. 1st boat was up river and I think had more brackish water around it, the clean boat must of been out of this flow, Well that's my theory.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

You don't state whether you are in unadulterated seawater, such as Dun Laoghaire, or in a river estuary such as Rush, Malahide or Poolbeg. Cruiser Uno, AFAIK , should last two seasons in the former, if two coats are applied over a compatible substrate, with extra coats along the waterline, on the rudder and the leading edges of forefoot and keel. If you are in brackish estuary water you will get more fouling, even in winter when it's like the mild one we've just had. The seller of my previous boat, which had been moored in the Rogerstown Estuary, recommended that I use the Jotun A/F used by the trawlermen, which I could buy at the chandlery on the fish quay in Howth. I've been using it since, keeping the boat afloat in Malahide Marina all year round, apart from an annual lift-out for a scrub, change of anodes and re-antifouling of prop. No connection, just a satisfied user.

 

[maby]

How much use does the boat get? Looking round the marina, it seems clear that those boats that are out every weekend - possibly several times per week - grow a lot less fouling than boats that are lightly used.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I'd hoped to have it last a whole year at the least and maybe two seasons. Is this an unreasonable expectation?

Yes - my boat goes in in April after giving it two coats and comes out in September, and usually has a light growth - I expect to give it two coats every year...

As others have said though - it depends on local conditions, antifoul make (expensive isn't always necessarily good), antifoul type (hard or eroding), water type, weather, how much you use it, how fast it goes when you do use it, and the list goes on and on and on.....

 

[Neil]

You don't state whether you are in unadulterated seawater, such as Dun Laoghaire, or in a river estuary such as Rush, Malahide or Poolbeg. Cruiser Uno, AFAIK , should last two seasons in the former, if two coats are applied over a compatible substrate, with extra coats along the waterline, on the rudder and the leading edges of forefoot and keel. If you are in brackish estuary water you will get more fouling, even in winter when it's like the mild one we've just had. The seller of my previous boat, which had been moored in the Rogerstown Estuary, recommended that I use the Jotun A/F used by the trawlermen, which I could buy at the chandlery on the fish quay in Howth. I've been using it since, keeping the boat afloat in Malahide Marina all year round, apart from an annual lift-out for a scrub, change of anodes and re-antifouling of prop. No connection, just a satisfied user.

I'm in DL, so pure sea water. I'll try a different make - Jotun, why not. Certainly, three coats on the rudder did very little - I could see the very beginnings of growth within a couple of weeks! Of course, when I had good weather, I was too busy, and then it was storm after storm, every couple of days, so I didn't get out so much.

 

[raven]

I still reckon that a large pot of the most vicious chilli powder, mixed in to any antifoul will greatly enhance it's repellent properties.

 

[single]

I'm going to ask each manufacturer for a sample, paint some sample boards and leave them hanging off the pontoon. Interesting experiment.