CHILLI POWDER MIXED IN ANTIFOUL ???

[paulsmith]

I've just had a conversation with a local fisherman who tells me that one of the fleet of small fishing boats last year had chilli powder added to its antifoul and at the end of the season had almost no fouling whearas the rest of the fleet and all the yachts etc still have a fair amount of barnicles and slime etc even with conventional antifoul. Has any one else heard of this or was he just taking the p*** out of a yachty.

 

[BobOwen]

Its a story thats been around for a while. I heard its very popular in areas around the far east, where the cost of chilli powder is probably less.

The article / posting / whatever I read, said that a local fisherman was laughing at the very expensive antifouling a cat owner was applying while beached on an Indian shore. When asked what was so amusing, the fisherman described how they mixed red primer and chilli powder to great affect at very little cost.

As pointed out by others though, in europe a sizeable amount of chilli powder may cost more than conventional antifoul.

It certainly makes sense, but I feel it may be another boaty myth. Anyone ever tried it? I fancy trying it on one side of a rudder for example, this spring as I renew the AF.

 

[alanporter]

I add tetracycline antibiotic powder to my antifouling and it works a treat. I tested it on a board I submerged at my dock a few years ago. One half covered with plain antifouling and the other half with my concoction. The plain half ended up with more growth. The powder is best obtained from a veterinary supply house, much cheaper than the medical stuff. I use about three grams per gallon.

 

[FullCircle]

One of the East Coast testers for PBO/YM had chilli powder and emulsion last year. I am interested to see his results, but I wont see him until the middle of Feb....

 

[Talbot]

Best way to buy sizable amounts of chilli is to find a good Chinese wholesaler . Price of the spices from there is a real eyeopener.

 

[bendyone]

It why Fox's Spices always used to be at the Boat Show.

 

[JAYEL]

Paul, treated my trapper 300,sailed on the Thames estuary,to a coat of cheap and cheerful XM dosed with 3 bottles of Tobasco sauce last season; result; no barnacles, just slime along waterline. The sauce mixed in easily,I dont know how the Tobasco will affect colour ,as I use black antifoul. Give it a go. Good luck, John.

 

[Captain Coochie]

I put chilli powder in my rubbish to stop the foxes ripping the bags open , i spose if you can seal it in paint itll have the same effect .

 

[paulsmith]

Thanks all for the postings I'll give it a go.as they say nothing ventured etc.I'll post at the end of the season with results.If it does work maybe we should all approach subjects like anti foul from a different angle rather than piling in more and more chemical toxins each year.What about this...I couldn't help noticing last year that large areas of the underside of my boat had been kept clean by grazing mullet (they leave a double line about 2inches x four inches wide)should we be encouraging wildlife to keep our boats clean rather than just trying to kill everything!!!

 

[BrendanS]

I can see chilli powder and tobasco sauce having an effect (judging by the two kids, who are totally averse) but tetracycline, like any other antibiotic, will only affect bacteria in the sort of quantity you could reasonably put into a hull paint.

It's what antibiotics do, kill bacteria. Will have negligible effects on mammals or most aquatic life forms as they have different metabolisms and bio pathways. It's why they give antibiotics to humans, it kills bacteria not humans (there are exceptions) It may kill off a few juvenile forms of some seaweed, but unlikely to affect most aquatic forms, especially when fomented into a hull paint where it cannot leach out effectively (unlike a metal like copper, which can)

 

[jkim1]

I agree it seems that the mullet keep the bottom clear. Some clever person used emulsion two years ago at the local sailing club. It was worse than nothing at all. Last year chilli powder was mentioned on this forum it would be nice if who used it could report about it. Chilli powder and emulsion may well work, it would certainly be cheaper. One wonders as to what is in antifouling to justify its very high price. I might just put a dab on someone elses boat this season to see if it works!

 

[Joe_Cole]

[ QUOTE ]
Best way to buy sizable amounts of chilli is to find a good Chinese wholesaler . Price of the spices from there is a real eyeopener.

[/ QUOTE ]

Out of curiosity I checked the prices we pay at work for Chilli powder. £2.00 kg. Mind you, we buy in quantities big enough to antifoul a super tanker!