mjf
Well-Known Member
After Daka’s post on the Cowes sealift etc it got me thinking again about the whole annual antifoul performance.
Whilst I appreciate even ocean vessels that are often idle get more sea miles under their belts than most leisure boats – these guys go 2.5 / 5.0 yrs + between hull paintings so why was I painting every year with the expense of a haul out and block off added too?.
I have been antifouling every year albeit moving the time of the annual lift around what the hull / trim tab growth looks like. Always min 12 months but on occasion 18 months was done once I think.
Anyway – now decided to try the two year scenario with a lift and hold, HP wash, and anode change in between.
Following on to my earlier thruster story I lifted out on Friday (after 13 months in the water) and found that indeed other than a ‘beard’ on the waterline the hull was very clean and even after the HP wash the paint intact overall. There was light some light barnacle growth on the stern gear, just inside the raw water inlets and oddly on the thruster anode and boss.
What was striking was where the boat had sat on blocks during previous times ashore the slings must have been in exactly the same spot as there was an area right under the hull on the flat of bottom that had some quite mature jobbies attached to very old thin paint. Goes to show frankly how effective the modern stuff is even if it’s friendly to the environment as it has to be these days, dammit!
Another observation is that on the stern gear and trim tabs there appeared a uniform light white crust on all unpainted surfaces that came off very easily with a scrapper. Turned to dust as you removed same. Never seen that before…. This coat was on the trim tab anodes that surprised me as not needing to be replaced. The MG duff logo is still there and they were only max. 10% eroded. Previously these have been totally knackered. No obvious erosion on any underwater metal parts either! Ditto thruster anode. Hull ones 20% left I guess
Anyway back in the water now and will watch the hull with interest.
Can always bring the antifoul process forward needs must…….
Whilst I appreciate even ocean vessels that are often idle get more sea miles under their belts than most leisure boats – these guys go 2.5 / 5.0 yrs + between hull paintings so why was I painting every year with the expense of a haul out and block off added too?.
I have been antifouling every year albeit moving the time of the annual lift around what the hull / trim tab growth looks like. Always min 12 months but on occasion 18 months was done once I think.
Anyway – now decided to try the two year scenario with a lift and hold, HP wash, and anode change in between.
Following on to my earlier thruster story I lifted out on Friday (after 13 months in the water) and found that indeed other than a ‘beard’ on the waterline the hull was very clean and even after the HP wash the paint intact overall. There was light some light barnacle growth on the stern gear, just inside the raw water inlets and oddly on the thruster anode and boss.
What was striking was where the boat had sat on blocks during previous times ashore the slings must have been in exactly the same spot as there was an area right under the hull on the flat of bottom that had some quite mature jobbies attached to very old thin paint. Goes to show frankly how effective the modern stuff is even if it’s friendly to the environment as it has to be these days, dammit!
Another observation is that on the stern gear and trim tabs there appeared a uniform light white crust on all unpainted surfaces that came off very easily with a scrapper. Turned to dust as you removed same. Never seen that before…. This coat was on the trim tab anodes that surprised me as not needing to be replaced. The MG duff logo is still there and they were only max. 10% eroded. Previously these have been totally knackered. No obvious erosion on any underwater metal parts either! Ditto thruster anode. Hull ones 20% left I guess
Anyway back in the water now and will watch the hull with interest.
Can always bring the antifoul process forward needs must…….
