Antifoul for an soon-to-be inaccessible area

[chris-s]

I am in the process of refurbishing the skeg and rudder on our Pegasus 700. The skeg is a cast bronze type materal that is 'open' along the back edge. It grows a lot of "stuff" in there during the season, we even foud a small crab living in it when we removed it. Before refitting it, I was wondering if I could apply some antifoul inside of it but not sure what would be best. You would never be able to get to it again without removing dropping the whole rudder/skeg assembly. The boat is ashore each winter. I could just not bother and leave it, but if there is something I can do that would last a while then I might as well whilst I have the opportunity. Coppercoat was something that sprang to mind but not worth it for such a small area.

Chris

 

[Elessar]

I am in the process of refurbishing the skeg and rudder on our Pegasus 700. The skeg is a cast bronze type materal that is 'open' along the back edge. It grows a lot of "stuff" in there during the season, we even foud a small crab living in it when we removed it. Before refitting it, I was wondering if I could apply some antifoul inside of it but not sure what would be best. You would never be able to get to it again without removing dropping the whole rudder/skeg assembly. The boat is ashore each winter. I could just not bother and leave it, but if there is something I can do that would last a while then I might as well whilst I have the opportunity. Coppercoat was something that sprang to mind but not worth it for such a small area.

Chris

View attachment 147032

Coppercoat won’t stick anyway. Velox best on metal IMO but will have a finite life. Probably quite long in that location.

 

[fredrussell]

Does it need to be ‘open’? If not you could just fill it with thickened epoxy or some other filler type material.

 

[Daydream believer]

If you cannot get access, do you need to do anything. If growth does not affect flow & you only have t have to apply an occasional version of the female brazilian to the overspill & it does not jam the works then why worry?
But of course , no one wants to suffer from the crabs & in that case pre treatment is important

 

[srm]

Coppercoat won’t stick anyway.

It sticks perfectly well over an appropriate primer. Probably the only antifoul with a long life (13 years and counting on most of my hull), but as OP said probably not economically viable if only used for such a small area.

 

[Daydream believer]

It sticks perfectly well over an appropriate primer. Probably the only antifoul with a long life (13 years and counting on most of my hull), but as OP said probably not economically viable if only used for such a small area.

I doubt that it would work ( in my experience it does not work any way), but there would be little water flow over it to accelerate the removal of the epoxy needed to expose the copper particles. It is not like the flow over a moving hull. Once they are dead they would not work. Then the finish would need abrading to expose more copper. Would you wish to remove the skeg every 2-3 years to do this?
Only a theory but worth considering.

 

[penfold]

Have it copper plated. Filling in the cavity with goo will work too.

If you cannot get access, do you need to do anything. If growth does not affect flow & you only have t have to apply an occasional version of the female brazilian to the overspill & it does not jam the works then why worry?

It provides a breeding ground; on the basis of no facts at all I think the little barstewards will swim out from in that lair and spread across the rest of the hull.

 

[Neeves]

Nearly all AF work on the basis of water flow - no flow = growth.

Leave any item in still water it will collect slime and the fouling will grow on the slime and ignore any AF you use. This is also true of CC.

There ARE AF for use on large commercial vessels that are laid up. But this type of AF, and all the big players make this sort of formulation, are sold in large drums - and you will not want to buy 100 years worth of supply - but if you know yards that service large commercial vessels you might be able persuade someone to donate a tea cup's worth of paint. Jotun make in their Sea Quantum range, International make (I'm not sure the brand name), Hempel make, Globic is one of their commercial products etc etc.

The other option might be Prop Speed, a silicone coating commonly used on running gear. The philosophy is its too slippery for fouling to attach - but it too will collect slime - but it is sold in small quantities, is specially designed for metal fittings.....It is much more successful (but maybe due to good marketing) than Velox. Prop Speed is recommended for Saildrives, props - any running gear on MoBos.

But conventional AF - waste of time, unless coating it takes no time and effort.

If there is no flow - waste of time.

You can but try.

I'd have a look at designing a special rod that you can insert and gently, or not so gently, scrub the fixture (on a regular basis). Like a big tooth brush (what do they use for crocodiles?) The boat is ashore for the winter, ream the fitting when lifted.

Jonathan