Daft antifouling question

[Hadenough]

OK daft question time. We normally clean off and apply new anti fouling every winter. Last year (March 2011) we scraped off twelve layers of old antifoul back to epoxy, re-epoxied and put on two coats of antifoul. We have been in the water since then and had hoped to get through, without re-antifouling, to October this year, (so 16 / 17 months) when we have a haul out and refit planned. We have never previously scrubbed off mid season because lifting out each winter we always re-antifouled and never had much other than slime to clean off after April to October in the water. (Same location and cruising antifoul throughout). This year after 14 months afloat we have sufficient weed growth to knock a couple of knots off our speed.
Anyway, daft question. We can easily dry out and scrub off but I definitely don't want to antifoul. Will we lose both coats or will a light scrub retain enough anti foul to get us through to October this year. What is the best method? Light scrub or light jet wash?
Sorry about such a basic question but despite years on the water we have never had to scrub off mid season.

 

[RupertW]

OK daft question time. We normally clean off and apply new anti fouling every winter. Last year (March 2011) we scraped off twelve layers of old antifoul back to epoxy, re-epoxied and put on two coats of antifoul. We have been in the water since then and had hoped to get through, without re-antifouling, to October this year, (so 16 / 17 months) when we have a haul out and refit planned. We have never previously scrubbed off mid season because lifting out each winter we always re-antifouled and never had much other than slime to clean off after April to October in the water. (Same location and cruising antifoul throughout). This year after 14 months afloat we have sufficient weed growth to knock a couple of knots off our speed.
Anyway, daft question. We can easily dry out and scrub off but I definitely don't want to antifoul. Will we lose both coats or will a light scrub retain enough anti foul to get us through to October this year. What is the best method? Light scrub or light jet wash?
Sorry about such a basic question but despite years on the water we have never had to scrub off mid season.

Ive tended to leave antifouling to once every 3 to 4 years with mid-season underwater scrubs. However a couple of times I've had really horrible growth in the first two seasons and I'm afraid I've changed my antifoul each time, with good results. My guess has been that if an anti foul becomes too common in a particular marina then only the growth that is resistant to it thrives. So time to try something different, IMHO.

 

[rob2]

I'm not a great fan of the obviously very profitable trade in leisure antifoulings. But, to be fair, each is formulated to offer protection in particular conditions and for a specific term - unfortunatley the manufacturers don't reveal what these parameters are. I suspect that the formulation is actually designed to be effective for a season afloat, i.e. six months in Summer (remember them?) It is likely that most of the active ingredients of your a/f will have leached out by now particularly if there is significant flow at the mooring and you are effectively unprotected, but a scrub now and lots of sailing might get you through.

Rob.

 

[rivonia]

This raises a few questions; Is it hard or soft anti foul

What brand is it.

What brand is being used by the LOCALS in your vicinity.

Peter

 

[trapezeartist]

Back to the original question, I would suggest a light jetwash if you have the machine and easy access to water and electricity. It will be just less hard work than scrubbing. However a wet scrub will do the job as well. Don't be any more thorough than you absolutely have to be.

 

[BAtoo]

If you have lost 2kts then you need to scrub off.
Unless you are using something special such as Optima - (which needs 24hrs to dry, but obviously isnt working) then I'd slap on another coat whilst scrubbing off.

All "do-able" between tides on a post or on an overnight lift..

 

[LadyInBed]

Only 4 months to go - Dry out, pressure wash and light scrub if and where necessary.
Pressure wash will show you if A/F hasn't stuck on anywhere, so if you have any left it would be handy for touch up

 

[Hadenough]

Back to the original question, I would suggest a light jetwash if you have the machine and easy access to water and electricity. It will be just less hard work than scrubbing. However a wet scrub will do the job as well. Don't be any more thorough than you absolutely have to be.

Yes -- thanks. Guess I'll just have to dry out and give it a light scrub. As LIB said it's only 4 months so if I have to do it again it's not the end of the world! Luckily wevhave a good "beaching" beach half a mile from our mooring. Thanks everyone.