Hull Shield ultrasonic antifouling - Does it really work?

[roa312]

I've recently come across a product called Hull Shield, which uses ultrasonic technology to reduce fouling and barnacle growth. The company seems to be doing a lot of marketing through YouTube sponsorships, and while the reviews from sponsored content are positive, I'm a bit skeptical about whether it works as well as advertised in real-world conditions. I'm interested in knowing if anyone here has any knowledge of the product or similar offerings and whether it's worth the investment?

Link: Hull Shield products

Example of one of their many sponsorships:

 

[jfm]

Tried it, installed it really carefully, totally didn't work. In the Med - Antibes.

 

[roa312]

Tried it, installed it really carefully, totally didn't work. In the Med - Antibes.

Thanks - and it did sound a bit too good to be true almost! It's great that you're testing all these new inventions on behalf of the rest of us here on the forum

 

[jrudge]

There have been many real world reviews and i dont recall a single one saying it worked. Some how the vendors manage to find lot of lovely case studies for their website !

I assume that given enough power on a small bit of hull it once worked to spawn this industry - or maybe i am being charitable.

 

[Montemar]

I fitted it to a Sealine S23 but still had to clean the hull. I wouldn't bother to fit it again.

 

[rafiki_]

This snake oil has been around 15 or so years. It has yet to be proven anywhere near as effective as anti foul or Coppercoat

 

[roa312]

The real-world experiences shared by jfm and Montemar are more than enough to convince me that these products are not as good as advertised. It's frustrating to come across glowing reviews from YouTubers who otherwise produce decent content but seem to miss the mark here. It makes you wonder how many unsatisfied customers are out there who just don’t have the platform to share their feedback.

 

[Hurricane]

We have particularly aggressive marine growth in our marina.
There was absolutely no difference/improvement when ultrasonic antifoul was used.
It really doesn't work.

 

[Elessar]

We have particularly aggressive marine growth in our marina.
There was absolutely no difference/improvement when ultrasonic antifoul was used.
It really doesn't work.

I remember you doing a particularly good and well controlled experiment on your stern gear.
Your statement is well qualified.

 

[Shifty]

Had a friend fit it to a boat in the Med. Total waste of money.

 

[Greg2]

Our boat had (still has) an ultrasonic system when we bought it. On the basis that the previous owner (who installed it) was very non-committal when I asked about its effectiveness combined with the fact that I have never heard anyone say that it works we have never switched it on. .
.

 

[wonkywinch]

Recent update from Sailing Zephyr IV

 

[Hurricane]

Recent update from Sailing Zephyr IV

Does he say where his boat is located.
He needs to try a location that has significant barnacle growth.
Then, I'm sure he would change his mind.

 

[wonkywinch]

Does he say where his boat is located.
He needs to try a location that has significant barnacle growth.
Then, I'm sure he would change his mind.

If you watch the introduction video he has on the home page of his You Tube channel, he says he is at Royal Clarence, Gosport.

 

[Hurricane]

If you watch the introduction video he has on the home page of his You Tube channel, he says he is at Royal Clarence, Gosport.

Yep - so no problems with barnacles anyway.

 

[roa312]

Recent update from Sailing Zephyr IV

He doesn't seem to be sponsored by the product, which is a plus at least. But looking at the comparison picture he added from last year (7:05), to my eyes, it doesn't look much different from the result with ultrasonic. Comments on these videos always seem to be split between people who say it works great and those in the snake oil camp.

I think it could be interesting to see a test on a catamaran with only one hull fitted with ultrasonic. But even then, I think the difference in fouling result would have to be significant to mean anything.

 

[rafiki_]

I've recently come across a product called Hull Shield, which uses ultrasonic technology to reduce fouling and barnacle growth. The company seems to be doing a lot of marketing through YouTube sponsorships, and while the reviews from sponsored content are positive, I'm a bit skeptical about whether it works as well as advertised in real-world conditions. I'm interested in knowing if anyone here has any knowledge of the product or similar offerings and whether it's worth the investment?

Link: Hull Shield products

Example of one of their many sponsorships:

Snake oil.

 

[jfm]

Nothing in that Zephyr 4 video made me think this junk works. The video basically demonstrated that it didn't work. That propeller!

 

[jrudge]

As per my post well above. I have never seen a real world report that it works.

I assume on a small area with lots of power it might work ( might not !) but regardless in the real world it does not.

 

[benjenbav]

I had a test panel of some ultrasonic thing for a season about 15 years ago.

The results persuaded me to stick with traditional a/f.

Maybe better nowadays? Or not?