How often should i antifoul ?

[Guest]

This is probably a daft question to you experts, but how often do I need to get a boat antifouled ? I am looking at a Bayliner Seirra Sunridge 2855 that is 8 years old boat and has seen 8 summers afloat in a marina at sea and 8 winters out of the water. I guess that antifouling prevents the equivalent of rust for cars ??? Or is it that it stops sealife growing on the hull ? The boat was antifouled just over a year ago. What are the approx costs ? Presumably it is a boat lift in and out of the water and the cost of somebody to paint/spray the antifouling paint on ? I doubt I would get around to doing it myself, so any idea of the costs for somebody to do it for me would be useful.
Any help would be greatly appreciated by a total novice.
Thanks
Mark.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Like most things it all depends on anumber of different factors, such as the type of antifoul you use, where you buy it and how much you're prepared to pay for someone to apply it.

If you shop around you can find some reasonable bargains, as for someone painting it on, I guess that 3 - 4 hours work probably needed. Usally you can find someone around who is prepared to do the job for you (maybe cash in hand) at maybe £5 -6 per hour. I suggest you ask around other boat owners in your marina and see who they use.
BTW antifoul is normally applied by roller, have never seen it sprayed on, and unusual for brushes to be used except for awkward corners and boot topping (white line at top of anti foul ).
Hope this helps.

 

[boomer]

Bloody amazing isn't it. You propose £5-£6 per hour for an absolutely s**ty job whilst you go out and earn £50-£60 per hour ( or have I sold you cheap?) If you want to get someone to do the jobs you can't (won't) do then at least pay a decent rate for the job. Try getting a quote from one of the non-tidal Thames boat yards cheapskate!

 

[byron]

Costs vary from place to place, most yards will give you a price over the phone. As regards when, I have mine done every two years but I am constantly going from fresh water to salt water which tends to keep my bum fairly clean. If you are going to trail your boat and she is to be out of the water most of the time when not in use, then you will not need to bother at all, a simple jet wash every so often will suffice.

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[ChrisP]

If you're willing to pay that sort of money for the marina dropout to paint your bum then you carry on mate. The blokes in the white coats will be around for you later. Me, I get the wife to do it. Costs a bit more for the antifoul because she gets so much over herself, but it gives her something to boast about all year.

 

[boatone]

1. Doesnt have anything to do with preventing rust - Its supposed to prevent the growth of marine life. I say 'supposed to' 'cos its not very good but its probably better than not doing it at all.
2. How often really depends on how fastidious you are about having a clean bum. For a 'performance boat' probably every year at beginning of season is the norm with a lift and pressure wash in between if you want that extra bit of wash creating speed. For a river cruiser like mine I've decided every two years is an economically aceptable routine but I'm on fresh water and growth problem is less.
3. For price etc best way is to do it yourself if you're wintering ashore - plenty of time and its quite satisfying to know you've looked after your own bum. Otherwise dont listen to all the conflicting advice here - ring three yards/marinas near you and ask them to quote for a liftout/pressurewash/antifoul/liftbackin package deal. On the mid thames you can get this for around £10/metre inc vat.

boatone@boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[oldharry]

The sole purpose of antifouling is to stop marine growth on your hull. Even a small amount of weed/barnacles or whatever can make a dramatic difference to top speed/ fuel consumption etc. Even quite moderate fouling can actually prevent a fast boat from getting up on the plane at all.

Bewildering also is the rang of types and makes of Anti foul. A planing hull needs a hard type, while a displacement hull needs only the cheaper eroding or soft type. Soft A/Fs on a planing hull will be rubbed off very quickly at high speed.

The best way to select anti foul is to go round the yard at lift out time, before Fred has got busy with the pressure washer. see which boats are cleanest and find out what brand they use. The effectiveness of the various brands and formulations varies considerably from one harbour to the next. Here in Chichester for example, the green weed known as 'Grass' simply LOVES International Hard Boot-topping which seems to act as a growth stimulant! Yet that same compound is regarded as the best in other parts of the country.

 

[paulineb]

I remember thinking how attractive your boat looked with a lilac bottom Pxx

Pauline B

 

[ChrisP]

When you get it done for free you don't quibble about the colour. Just grit your teeth, Lie back thinking of England and remark how few brushmarks there is in the finished job. Oh, and don't comment on how the antifoul is covering the grey streaks in her hair.

 

[Chris_d]

Its got to be a good idea to take any boat out the water reguarly anyway, at least every 2 years. Most GRP boats have a degree of moisture in the hull and 3-4 months drying out every year or so is always beneficial.
Don't forget the outdrive, you should change the oil every year, check anodes, bellows, dings in the prop etc. Also the paint on outdrives needs cleaning off more often then the hull, normal antifouling is no good on these.
If you can, take it out every year regardless, every thing will deteriorate less and you will have a boat in better condition when you come to sell it.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Have I hit a raw nerve? Did I say I paid others to antifoul MY boat? No I don't think I did. In 20 years only once have I had someone else do the job for me (about 10 years ago, and only bedcause he asked tp do it and set his own price) so perhaps you'd like to check out your facts before hurling insults!!!!!!!
PS spent hours today helping a friend to lay his mooring. Nothing in it for me apart from pleasure in helping someone else.

 

[boomer]

No - you haven't but clearly I did. Methinks you do protest too much - and are obviously in line for sainthood!

 

[longjohnsilver]

Of course I am - But that's a long way off, I hope!