Chilli powder and antifouling

BobCooper

BobCooper

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During our first summer in the Mediterranean sea, we were always scrubbing weed off Yanina's waterline, and the hull and propeller rapidly collected weed and barnacles. The problem became worse if the boat was stationary for too long.

I had read a tale in YM about fishermen in Indonesia who just used ordinary paint on their boat hulls and mixed chilli powder in with it - apparently marine growth doesn't like it. On discussing this with other yachties, it seemed a lot of them routinely mixed some chilli powder in with the antifouling, so we decided to give it a try and the difference was amazing - hardly any weed or barnacles appeared.

This was in 2005 and we have been doing it ever since. We have had no trouble either in African and Caribbean waters.

For the recipe, plus some photographs, see 'Along the way' on our website.
 
The fishermen in Indonesia may change their minds now as , apparently , the price of red chillies - part of their staple diet - has gone through the roof.
Report was on BBC News a day or so ago.


.
 
mikewilkes said:
The fishermen in Indonesia may change their minds now as , apparently , the price of red chillies - part of their staple diet - has gone through the roof.
Report was on BBC News a day or so ago.


.
Click to expand...

They could always use Asprin, same result.
Dissolve 1 tablet in boiling water and add, treats 1 Ltr. (allegedly!)
 
Have used chili powder, for the last three antifouls, I observe that it works in western meddy, we'll see how it works in Greece, which seems to have quite bad fouling.
 
This sounds very interesting but the real question is comparative. Has anyone tried without chili in the same environment with the same paint? :p
 
fliti said:
This sounds very interesting but the real question is comparative. Has anyone tried without chili in the same environment with the same paint? :p
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Yes, western meddy with Jotun antifoul before I tried the chili powder, got very good results with the chili, dont know why, as all the chemicals in chili, should make no difference atall, but they do.
 
Doesnt work.

We tried this on the east of Scotland. Mixed as much Costco Chili powder as we could to ordinary 'cruiser' type AF and still have it be paint-able. Did the whole underside except for a strip done with unadulterated AF.

At the end of the season we observed less weed and barnacles on the plain strip.

So. chilly was a waste of time - for us at least.
 
We use Tri Butyl Tin (TBT). It is available in the Caribbean and sold in hardware stores in the USA for use on bricks below the damp course. Might be worth checking if it is sold anywhere in the Med.
 
TBT

" . .
The EC Dangerous Substances Directive (and Daughter Directives) established an environmental quality standard for TBT which must be met in surface waters. This standard has effectively been superceded by the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (2008/105/EC)* which designates TBT compounds as a Priority Hazardous Substance. Member States must aim to achieve a more stringent environmental quality standard, and seek to reduce and eliminate all emissions, losses and discharges. The Environment Agency has produced a pollution reduction plan which sets out how we aim to do this.

TBT compounds are included on the red list and as such are substances for priority action on their control under the OSPAR and Helsinki Conventions – relating to protection of the marine environment, specifically that of the North Atlantic and Baltic seas

The use of TBT in antifouling paints is restricted in many countries. Restrictions on the supply and use of organostannic compounds in anti-fouling paints on vessels (and equipment intended to be fully or partially submerged) are contained in Annex 17 of the EU REACH Regulation (as amended). These restrictions apply to all EU Member States. International agreement not to use TBT antifouling paints on state flagged ships, or on ships entering state waters, has been reached through the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships. Implemented in the EU by Regulation 782/2003, the relevant domestic legislation for this agreement is covered by the Merchant Shipping (Anti-fouling Systems) Regulations 2009. All vessels entering UK waters / ports need to provide a certificate that declares either that the hull is free from TBT, or that the TBT anti-fouling system has been coated to prevent leaching into the aquatic environment.
. . . "
 
Antifouling

So what do Big Ships use then :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

They use basically the same as all of us. TBT has been banned for application on any type of vessel for many years. Since 2008 it has become illegal to even have it on the hull under a barrier coat with other types on top. In 1st world countries it stopped being used during the 90's and, in practice, many years before that.

The only significant difference between "big ship" antifouling and what you buy in a chandlery is the erosion rate of the paint matrix that holds the antifouling. They move more and faster so need a slower erosion rate. You move slower and less often so need a higher erosion rate.

Some long distance ships are starting to use silicon elastomer antifoulings but they are only suitable for high activity, high speed vessels. These are completely no toxic.

As for the idea of mixing food products into antifoulings and thinking it will keep living organisms that need food off the hull....... This has been researched to death by all the paint companies with no evidence that it has any positive effect and plenty of evidence that it has a negative effect.
 
KellysEye said:
>So does DDT, but look at the mess that stuff caused.

As far as I know millions have died of Malaria since DDT was banned. It was subsequently proved safe.
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I'm afraid you have missed the point, safe for what? Humans? DDT is indescriminate, it kills all insects, not just mosquitos.
Also causes birth defects in other animals.
 
KellysEye said:
We use Tri Butyl Tin (TBT). It is available in the Caribbean and sold in hardware stores in the USA for use on bricks below the damp course. Might be worth checking if it is sold anywhere in the Med.
Click to expand...

Thats beyond selfish. :(


http://www.speciation.net/News/TBT-...-marine-life-says-WWF-;~/2006/10/11/2445.html



The use of TBT in antifouling paints is restricted in many countries. Restrictions on the supply and use of organostannic compounds in anti-fouling paints on vessels (and equipment intended to be fully or partially submerged) are contained in Annex 17 of the EU REACH Regulation (as amended). These restrictions apply to all EU Member States. International agreement not to use TBT antifouling paints on state flagged ships, or on ships entering state waters, has been reached through the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships. Implemented in the EU by Regulation 782/2003, the relevant domestic legislation for this agreement is covered by the Merchant Shipping (Anti-fouling Systems) Regulations 2009. All vessels entering UK waters / ports need to provide a certificate that declares either that the hull is free from TBT, or that the TBT anti-fouling system has been coated to prevent leaching into the aquatic environment.
Click to expand...
 
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