Antifouls: The Good the Bad and the Ugly?

[dom]

MissFitz asked an interesting question over on PBO.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?496576-Do-barnacles-prefer-white-antifoul

I am launching my boat next week having painted it with International Micron-350 Dover White. Boat moored in Portsmouth, sailed regularly in summer, less so in winter. Moderate mileage:1500+ p.a.

I would be happy to keep a photo progression as the season goes by if anyone wants to keep similar pics for different paints and colours?

Edit: put the wrong paint in!

 

[johnalison]

Although I would be interested to see people's various results, fouling seems to depend so much on local conditions and the use made of the boat that it is always hard to draw conclusions. You might think that what I use is pretty good, but as often as not we spend a week or two in fresh water in the Netherlands in the summer, which ought to have a significant effect.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Another slight snag is Micron extra has now been discontinued.

 

[Leighb]

I agree there is nothing like a week or so in fresh water to frighten the pants off the barnies et al.

 

[pvb]

Another slight snag is Micron extra has now been discontinued.

The new Micron 350 is more expensive, but has a higher volume of solids, and a higher specific gravity (2.2 vs 1.91), so hopefully it's got more of the nasty stuff in it.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I see the OP has clarified which product he is using

Micron Extra was successful for us last season (no need for a mid season scrub, possibly the first time ever) but we did spend six weeks in the West Country where the fouling challenge appears to be less than in Portsmouth Harbour.

 

[dom]

I see the OP has clarified which product he is using

Micron Extra was successful for us last season (no need for a mid season scrub, possibly the first time ever) but we did spend six weeks in the West Country where the fouling challenge appears to be less than in Portsmouth Harbour.

The Micron-? bit seems to change each year, but your post prompted me to check the invoice

 

[Lucky Duck]

I bought a load of the old stuff back in January, will see how things go this season...

 

[DJE]

I was told that Micron 350 lacks the biocides that Micron Extra had. I checked the data sheets and it is missing the ethylbenzene and something called zineb which were in last year's tin. But the main ingredients are still copper and tin oxides. I managed to find a couple of tins of Micron Extra for £30 per tin less than the new stuff. Well see how it performs.

 

[Daydream believer]

Although I would be interested to see people's various results, fouling seems to depend so much on local conditions and the use made of the boat that it is always hard to draw conclusions. You might think that what I use is pretty good, but as often as not we spend a week or two in fresh water in the Netherlands in the summer, which ought to have a significant effect.

What part of the Netherlands do you go into? I go in at Flushing & normally get as far as Dordrecht, but I always thought that was salt water as it is well flushed by sea water through various points. It mostly started off as tidal when I first started going there.

 

[chrishscorp]

I still have some Hempel Glide Speed hidden under the bed, this years coating will see the end of it sadly. We have found it pretty effective in a half tide mooring. Location, Portsmouth Hbr ( sadly they have discontinued it. )

 

[horatio_nelson]

I'll have to ask what antifouling the boatyard put on, I've forgotten. Same one as last year though, and that went well. Traditionally white undersides on Scanmars.... Sure looks good



^^ that's the brand new Selden rig on Ellida (result of dismasting). Everything above deck level is brand new.

 

[DJE]

I'll have to ask what antifouling the boatyard put on, I've forgotten. Same one as last year though, and that went well. Traditionally white undersides on Scanmars.... Sure looks good

Whereas Scanyachts prefer navy blue.