ARC anti fouling /Coppercoat

Vara

Active member
Joined
20 Feb 2004
Messages
7,015
Location
Canterbury/Dover
Visit site
Some forumites are aware that I have had some issues with the application of the Coppercoat to my boat.

Following remedial work by Mark and his team I'm pleased to say that my bottom status has gone from grumpy git to happy womble.

Thanks.
 

fireball

New member
Joined
15 Nov 2004
Messages
19,453
Visit site
It was nice to check the hull this weekend to see just a light coating of slime and a green band above the waterline ....
yes - just a few months after Mark stripped her back and did the coppercoat....
 

braehouse

Member
Joined
18 Jan 2005
Messages
132
Location
Ely, Cambs
Visit site
Some forumites are aware that I have had some issues with the application of the Coppercoat to my boat.

Following remedial work by Mark and his team I'm pleased to say that my bottom status has gone from grumpy git to happy womble.

Thanks.

What was the problem that you had and how has it been resolved? I am having problems with the Coppercoat on my boat and am struggling to get it resolved, weed growth is terrible despite the boat being lifted and jetwashed twice this year.
 

fireball

New member
Joined
15 Nov 2004
Messages
19,453
Visit site
What was the problem that you had and how has it been resolved? I am having problems with the Coppercoat on my boat and am struggling to get it resolved, weed growth is terrible despite the boat being lifted and jetwashed twice this year.
Couple of questions
When was it applied?
When was it last abraded
Was it Coppercoat or an alternative brand?
How often do you take the boat out?

I'm no expert - but if you're getting significant weed growth then I would think the copper isn't doing it's job. We've got a bit of slime/weed visible just under the waterline, but that will disappear quickly after a good windward bash ...
 

braehouse

Member
Joined
18 Jan 2005
Messages
132
Location
Ely, Cambs
Visit site
Couple of questions
When was it applied?
When was it last abraded
Was it Coppercoat or an alternative brand?
How often do you take the boat out?

I'm no expert - but if you're getting significant weed growth then I would think the copper isn't doing it's job. We've got a bit of slime/weed visible just under the waterline, but that will disappear quickly after a good windward bash ...

Hi Fireball

It was applied in April of this year and i assume that it was abraded at this time. The boat went back in the water in May and by the end of June had weed growth. The Coppercoat (And it is Coppercoat) above the waterline had not discoloured. I had the boat lifted and jetwashed in July as I was told that sometimes when the water is warm that a slime can immediatly develop that stops the CC reacting. Sadly no change with weed growth again, boat was lifted in September, jetwashed and back in the water and I now have weed growth again. The CC above the waterline has just started to go a very light green in places but certainly not the verdis colour that I was expecting. Even taking the boat out in some rough seas for a 70 mile sail did not significantly reduce the weed adhering to the hull.

The whole thing is becoming quite demoralising!

Thanks

Chris
 

ALPHORA

Member
Joined
25 Apr 2005
Messages
64
Location
Scarborough
Visit site
I have just lifted out 7 years after applying Coppercoat, and staying in the water for 2 years this this time around. The hull had the normal thin layer of slime, and was easily pressure washed off. This was in an area of very high fouling. Non Coppercoated areas, ie the prop and bowthruster were very heavily barnacled and musselled. I applied the Coppercoat myself. I waited a week or two for a few dry days to get the hull really dry, and then applied the Coppercoat on a nice warm day and followed the instructions to the letter. I did not abrade the hull before launching. There is always a greenish layer just above the water line which appeared shortly after the initial launch and looks about the same now. There have been several discussions about Coppercoat working or otherwise. All I can say is when the instructions were followed it did the job and will definitely use it on my next boat.
 

fireball

New member
Joined
15 Nov 2004
Messages
19,453
Visit site
Ours was done during June (I had a problem with a thru hull fitting so had to come out anyway) - and other than the pressure washing sounds the same as you - we've just gone green above the waterline - otherwise it is the chocolate colour.
We have a thin layer of slime that can be easily wiped off (tested at the bow) but I've yet to brush or wash it off ... I'll probably wait till the new year now.
I was told that it does take a while for the copper to become effective - but yours doesn't sound quite right ...
 

braehouse

Member
Joined
18 Jan 2005
Messages
132
Location
Ely, Cambs
Visit site
Ours was done during June (I had a problem with a thru hull fitting so had to come out anyway) - and other than the pressure washing sounds the same as you - we've just gone green above the waterline - otherwise it is the chocolate colour.
We have a thin layer of slime that can be easily wiped off (tested at the bow) but I've yet to brush or wash it off ... I'll probably wait till the new year now.
I was told that it does take a while for the copper to become effective - but yours doesn't sound quite right ...

I was also told that the copper takes a while to become effective...........question is how long and how many lifts are required? At this rate there will be no saving. Job has been a total nightmare..........at this rate am going back to standard antifoul. Will try once more to get this resolved but frankly going on performance to date sadly I do not hold out much hope.

Chris
 

fireball

New member
Joined
15 Nov 2004
Messages
19,453
Visit site
A question I cannot answer - however, if you PM Ellesar he may be able to offer some advice.

The surface on ours feels very smooth - I don't know if this is what prevents too much sticking to the hull, but I would think it should help ...
 

fastjedi

Member
Joined
9 Oct 2003
Messages
750
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
Ours was done during June (I had a problem with a thru hull fitting so had to come out anyway) - and other than the pressure washing sounds the same as you - we've just gone green above the waterline - otherwise it is the chocolate colour.
We have a thin layer of slime that can be easily wiped off (tested at the bow) but I've yet to brush or wash it off ... I'll probably wait till the new year now.
I was told that it does take a while for the copper to become effective - but yours doesn't sound quite right ...

We did ours in April, two coats of Corro-Tech on the keel + two coats of solvent free epoxy on the keel and hull + Four coats of coppercoat, all applied over three days and launched 10 days later.

As others have said we had a thin layer of slime from July onwards. Boat is now ashore. No sign of rust in the keel + hull is a stunning shade of green ... Overall, very pleased.
 

braehouse

Member
Joined
18 Jan 2005
Messages
132
Location
Ely, Cambs
Visit site
We did ours in April, two coats of Corro-Tech on the keel + two coats of solvent free epoxy on the keel and hull + Four coats of coppercoat, all applied over three days and launched 10 days later.

As others have said we had a thin layer of slime from July onwards. Boat is now ashore. No sign of rust in the keel + hull is a stunning shade of green ... Overall, very pleased.

I wonder if it is down to poor application? Think it is maybe time to contact coppercoat themselves and get them to check out what has been done and see if they have any recommendations.
 

Sybarite

Well-known member
Joined
7 Dec 2002
Messages
27,678
Location
France
Visit site
I have just lifted out 7 years after applying Coppercoat, and staying in the water for 2 years this this time around. The hull had the normal thin layer of slime, and was easily pressure washed off. This was in an area of very high fouling. Non Coppercoated areas, ie the prop and bowthruster were very heavily barnacled and musselled. I applied the Coppercoat myself. I waited a week or two for a few dry days to get the hull really dry, and then applied the Coppercoat on a nice warm day and followed the instructions to the letter. I did not abrade the hull before launching. There is always a greenish layer just above the water line which appeared shortly after the initial launch and looks about the same now. There have been several discussions about Coppercoat working or otherwise. All I can say is when the instructions were followed it did the job and will definitely use it on my next boat.

I like the idea but would like to know more about the budget justification. I reckon that the operation costs me around €275 each year for a 9m20 boat. (That includes lift out and in, labour and materials).
 

fireball

New member
Joined
15 Nov 2004
Messages
19,453
Visit site
I like the idea but would like to know more about the budget justification. I reckon that the operation costs me around €275 each year for a 9m20 boat. (That includes lift out and in, labour and materials).

That's cheap ... a lift out for us is ~£400 a time then you've got to add materials (tend to do the labour ourselves). Then every few years you may need to peel back the old A/F if it hasn't completely eroded - which is just hassle....
 

KevB

Active member
Joined
4 Jul 2001
Messages
11,268
Location
Kent/Chichester
Visit site
I applied coppercoat nearly 5 years ago and other than lightly abrading the sides a couple of times have done nothing. Green hull all over and never more than a slight slime.
 

Sybarite

Well-known member
Joined
7 Dec 2002
Messages
27,678
Location
France
Visit site
That's cheap ... a lift out for us is ~£400 a time then you've got to add materials (tend to do the labour ourselves). Then every few years you may need to peel back the old A/F if it hasn't completely eroded - which is just hassle....

I found somebody who is willing to do it for €140. Mind you we have it down to an art and scrub, jet hose and painting only takes between 2-3 hours. The lift-out is about €75, including a week-end on land, and the rest is anti-fouling, brushes, rollers and shaft anode.
 

Koeketiene

Well-known member
Joined
24 Sep 2003
Messages
18,010
Location
Le Roussillon (South of France)
www.sailblogs.com
I applied coppercoat nearly 5 years ago and other than lightly abrading the sides a couple of times have done nothing. Green hull all over and never more than a slight slime.

Ditto.

Only one year after application, so not turned green yet ;)
Just the slightest hint of slime

dsc06788_scale.jpg
 
Top