Antifouling - best option?

Whitelighter

Whitelighter

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Right, looks for me at least the dingy job of anifouling will be here a little earlier this year since Whitelighter will be out of the water for 3-4 weeks before my winter season can start.

I know a few forumites were experimenting with different antifoul products/recipies, so what works best? I think a little dusting of copper powder works wonders, but where to get it and in what quantity and in which product?

I know, I know - I'm soooo demanding /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
For just a normal eroding antifouling, i've been really impressed with Blakes Tiger Extra, two coats applied April 05, kept us weed free throughout last year, and just a bit of algae build up during summer 06 that was easy to remove. £50 a tin from Yachtmail in Lymington.

The coppercoat sounds interesting, but I'm told you still need a lift out once a year to rub down with sandpaper to expose new copper. I'm not convinced that's any easier than re-painting it, in fact it sounds like more elbow grease. It may work out cheaper not having to buy the paint each year, but on the other hand i've also heard you lose a knot which would probably more than compensate in fuel cost. Think i'll stick with the Blakes.
 
I used the eroding International Micron Extra on Flower Power. Not cheap, but seems to work well in Sparkes, with only a light coating of slime towards the end of the season.

Have never tried copper/chilli/mustard or snake oil additives, but would be interested to see if they make a difference.

dv.
 
Errm, cough, ahem, the cat needs brushing, and I really need to spend some quality time polishing the guttering on the house.

And anyway, it was Burton Waters that did the hull: I only did the outdrives and props. Hint: if using spray antifoul on outdrives, choose a day with NO wind. Otherwise you might have to spend quite a long time afterwards polishing off millions of tiny grey speckles from the bathing platform and stern, or so I hear.

dv.
 
Sorry, but your Profile suggests Med sailing? Or are you in the UK? And afloat or on a drying mooring?
It does make a difference to any advice proffered . . .
 
What? You mean you haven't read the saga of my blooming boat!!!!!!

In that case, based chichester, in all year on a swinging mooring (unless SWMBO gets her way next year in which case it will be on a marina!)
 
Let me speak to your SWMBO and let her know how really cozy and warm it is in chichester marina in the winter. With unlimited electricity on tap for hot water and heating. And how nice it is to just get out of the car and walk to the boat........And........And.........And..........

How much to keep quiet? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Have you heard of Flag antifouling? It's by far the best I've tried so far after coughing up loads of dosh for Blakes and International. The Flag outlasted them by about six months extra (moored on the Hamble) and it cost much much less. When you pick up the tin and compare the weight, the Flag is much heavier. I guess it has more copper. And when you rub down the antifoul ready for next application, the wet or dry paper glows copper coloured, as does the hull, which confirms my suspiscion that it has loads more copper in it. Well, that's my unreserved recommendation. I've only ever seen it sold online at: Flag.
 
malc.johnston@gmail.com, juton seagaurd excellent gear, and competetive pricing, had it on our aquabell 12 months no fouling yet, my mate lifted his offshore 2000 after 12 months and a quick wash down was all that was required, I am going to use it forever or until they stop producing it.
 
about 2.1/2 liters for one coat, ours is 33 feet not gone decimal yet. Seagaurd comes in 5 liter cans, just ask the man you will be pleased, no connection just a happy bunny that I found him.
 
Re: Antifouling - slap it on thick.

Jez - good tip from tcm - don't bother with those "joke" rollers for applying the antifoul.

Get yourself a decent brush and slap it on nice and thick in one coat. You'll end up doing the job in half the time, but the coating of antifoul will be more than double normal thickness, as most of it goes onto the hull rather than in your hair/teeth/clothes, etc..

I did this in spring and I have zero growth so far (unlike last year, when strange species of marine growth were waving to me from beneath the boat..........).
 
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