Antifoul question

[itsonlymoney]

I know I have been down this antifoul road before but bear with me.
Does antifoul on a fresh water hull protect against osmosis etc or is it really just aesthetic. Obviously got no barnacle problems just a bit of slime that comes off fairly easily with a brush.
Ian

 

[jhr]

To be honest, I don't know but, given that osmosis blisters are usually discovered by surveyors scraping off some antifoul, I'd guess the answer is "no".

 

[dog]

As far as Im aware, antifouling is not waterproof. The only way to protect against osmosis would be epoxy. I have still heard some stories of epoxy not preventing osmosis due to moisture already in the hull being trapped by the newly applied epoxy.

 

[gcwhite]

The answer is no unfortunately

 

[capel679]

sorry mate,antifoul is only there to prevent slime and all the others sorts of creatures that would like to attach themselves to your hull.
take it from me as i have had the dreaded blisters.
good luck

 

[Medskipper]

Antifoul paint does exactly what it says on the tin! it stops fouling.

In no way does it protect against osmosis!
The only way to protect against osmosis is to make sure your boat comes out of the water at least once a year and the hull dries out properley! This means at least eight weeks on the hard!

Osmosis is the action of water penetrating microscopic holes in a surface and then the water is trapped and re-acts badly with the resins, basically it rots the glass fibres and turns into acid. If you ever burst an osmotic blister take care that the liquid which bursts out does not get in your eyes! its acid! Scrap out all the rotten fibres and wash thoughly and allow to dry before filling with a good quality marine filler.

Good Luck

Barry

 

[itsonlymoney]

Thanks for everyones replys.
So am I correct in stating that as long as my hull will power wash clean once a year and during the season I keep her clean with a good brush off there's no real reason for a boat in fresh water to be antifouled ?
Ian

 

[gonfishing]

As much as I hate to admit it, that is the case!!

 

[itsonlymoney]

Will the fact that it has bean antifouled in the past have any bearing on the choice of not to antifoul in the future ?
Ian

 

[gonfishing]

It will eventually look very unsightly which will leave you 1 real option re- antifoul
The hull will have been sanded back to allow a key for the antifoul, whilst a gel coat refinish will bring back the original glossy shine the cost may well outway the benefit!!