Copper Bottomed

[rhinorhino]

I was interested in the article in this month's PBO about a new product which basically used copper tiles on an adhesive backing (bit like those mirror tiles from the 70s) to cover the hull in lieu of anti-foul.
However two issues struck me;
Since the stuff is so expensive £55+ Square metre is there any advantage over paint even given a 20 year projected life?
When ships were copper bottomed, didn't they still need to be scrubbed down to remove growths etc? Does anyone know whether copper was an effective anti-foul.
Still an interesting idea and it does look nice in the picture!

 

[halcyon]

Wasn't the copper to stop beatles from boring holes in your wooden hull ?

Hence copper bottom investment.


Have they taken a shine to fibre glass now ?????

Brian

 

[rhinorhino]

I think that was the original reason, to keep the ship worm out.

Given a few million years I am sure evolution will come up with a GRP worm ;-)

 

[graham]

I can see using it on a grp boat but would have doubts about using it on a wooden boat.

Probably ok on a coldmoulded double diagonal hull which is usually epoxied/glassed anyway but imagine the effect on a carvel hull with all the caulking drying out and the planks shrinking until all the movement causes a crack in the copper .It could result in uncontrollable leaking starting quite suddenly.Or am I just being pessimistic, after all it is not a new idea to cover boats with copper.