Antifoul Comparisons (Flag vs Nautix vs International)

[Tim Good]

Ok so I have always used Micron Extra but I now have a 43ft boat as opposed to a 26ft. So I found an old article from PBO with tests and the Nautix budget version shown excellent results. Only a tad more than the cheapo flag stuff.

Does anyone use standard Nautix antifoul and can testify to the results that PBO found? Or maybe suggest another cheaper alternative that is as good as Internationals Micron?

 

[Sticky Stuff]

As always with these tests each time they are done they are different, the best advice would be to pick one that is consistently good.
Any cheapy can give a good result one year in one test however next year it may fail miserably !

Go for one that is always in the top 3-4 best performers, you will find that they are there on nearly all tests and always perform well.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Having just had a quick look at data sheets for antifouling ( as suggested down below) most only have copper and no biocides.

i.e. Flag Cruising, Blakes Tiger, Blakes Classic etc.

It would seem logical that when shopping for antifoul we should walk in to chandlers carrying scales.

Then weigh each tin and the heaviest wins. Providing it is in your price range.

However , are there different qualities of copper used ?

 

[LittleShip]

I've used Flag cruising for years with no problems of fouling. I'm always surprised that I only have a little slime on the hull at the end of the year.

Tom.

 

[seanfoster]

What issue of PBO is that test in?

 

[seanfoster]

Think I've found it: http://www.allboatcare.co.uk/uploads/datasheets/PBO Af test January 2014.pdf

 

[Tim Good]

I've used Flag cruising for years with no problems of fouling. I'm always surprised that I only have a little slime on the hull at the end of the year.

Tom.

Berthed where?

 

[VicMallows]

Whatever may have proved good in the past ......by the time you next buy it the name and/or formulation and/or the local conditions will likely have changed, so you will be none the wiser

 

[Burnham Bob]

I've used Flag but the fouling in the Crouchwas appalling this year. Maybe I'll trade up to their posher brand.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I've used Flag and found I got very little fouling but, as I'm on a mooring that dries out twice a day, I think maybe I don't need AF at all.

 

[LittleShip]

Berthed where?

Liverpool, Holyhead, Port Dinorwic, Conway and now Scotland in the Clyde.

I would say it's had a good testing in different waters. I will add that LS gets used and isn't left for weeks on end.

Tom.

 

[Sticky Stuff]

You dont need to carry around scales its much more simple to read the data sheet.
There are different types of copper used yes, but how you relate that to quality is not as simple as they are used for different things.
Having the most copper in a product helps but does not ensure the best performance especially if the formula is to hard and doesn't wash the surface away through usual usage.
The copper needs to be exposed to work best.

 

[ben_m]

It'll be a little late for you this season, but at PBO we are painting a huge stack of test panels this week - for 2015 we're expanding the test to 13 sites around the UK in popular sailing areas. We'll be testing 20 different paints and the results will be in the January 2016 issue. Watch this space....

Ben
Deputy Editor, PBO