Farrow System

[DownWest]

Any body used this for antifoul removal? Any comments re. time/price/effectiveness?
A

 

[Twister_Ken]

Yes, good and competitive with other methods. Practitioners are still out there but I've heard that Farrow, as the licensee, is belly up.

 

[DownWest]

Thanks Ken, seems the site only gets a US response, no UK connection.
A

 

[matelot]

yes, excellent result in removing not just antifoul but also primacon . would use them, again

 

[Ronald_M]

Very good claims are made for this system - so good, in fact that I decided to get my keels done this way. Turns out, however, that my nearest franchisee no longer uses the specified volcanic ash as, apparently, there is a known cancer risk involved in its use. Apparently.

Ended up getting them slurry blasted instead.

HOWEVER, you might like to look at soda-blasting as an alternative. Similar principles, similar claims.

Look here: http://blastcleanuk.org/
or: http://www.soda-blast.co.uk/

Maybe a bit pricey, though.

Ron.

 

[symblastpaul]

Hello my company has been blasting hulls and keels for 13 years now on the southcoast and beyond, try us,
Paul. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[essexboy]

I believe now called "Surface to Surface Ltd"
01953850880 www.surfacetosurface.co.uk
Based in Norfolk.

 

[Elessar]

I called Paul to strip my boat and he tried to talk me out of it as I was going to apply Coppercoat when it was too cold. I took some persuading but he really didn't want to take my money if I was going to end up unhappy.

Thus I recommend him as honest and honourable even tough he hasn't done any work for me yet! I've seen boats he's done and I will call him in spring without hesitation.

 

[DownWest]

Thanks for the assorted replys, I had heard it was very good for removing coatings on old wooden boats without damaging the wood.
A

 

[pennycar9]

I have a wooden boat, It is a 50foot ex MFV. The first year we had her,we got Farrows in to blast clean the bottom back to the wood, they guaranteed to be able to achieve a clean bottom. The result was 80% clean, damage to surface of wood in many places but worse was the fact that it had blasted out at least 50% of the seam paying. They left the yard without clearing up, a total mess and a disaster. I would not reccomend the system on a wooden boat!.

Farrow system has shut down operations in this country and have moved to America. Apparently they lost a big Law suit with the MOD and The owner got divorced.

 

[ccscott49]

I have seen it, but wouldnt reccomend it for a carvel seamed boat, as it will remove the stopping. Depends on the operator I guess. But would use it on my boat, as we are splined and cascover sheathed. Would the symblast work on mine?? I wonder.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Paul, Symblast, did our boat about 4 years ago, I believe he did Kevb's boat on the mobo site too.

He did a superb job, gave great advice and I also know the marina were very impressed how clean and tidy he left the place.

He gets my full recommendation.

I have no connection with Symblast etc etc

 

[johnskross]

For the record, Farrow System Ltd. did win against the MOD, and the decision to close up and move operations to the US was an economic decision.

I can’t speak for Mr. Farrow’s divorce and feel it is not proper to discuss in any forum.

We are actively looking to restart our European business after winning a very long battle on patents.

If I can answer any more questions, please do not hesitate to call.