Just applied my last ever antifoul. Coppercoat questions.

[fredrussell]

Well, had enough of antifouling now and will coppercoat next year. Underneath many years worth of antifoul on my hull there is the original coppercoat boat left factory with. When that wore out the then owner had it coated with gel shield before using conventional antifoul.

So, what do I get it blasted back to prior to CUcoat; gel coat, gel shield or original coppercoat?

Obviously I’ll speak to coppercoat people nearer the time, just pondering really.

If we could avoid the CUcoat debate that would be good.

 

[geem]

Well, had enough of antifouling now and will coppercoat next year. Underneath many years worth of antifoul on my hull there is the original coppercoat boat left factory with. When that wore out the then owner had it coated with gel shield before using conventional antifoul.

So, what do I get it blasted back to prior to CUcoat; gel coat, gel shield or original coppercoat?

Obviously I’ll speak to coppercoat people nearer the time, just pondering really.

If we could avoid the CUcoat debate that would be good.

If you get it blasted, thr blast guy will be able to decide. If the gel shield is sound, the blasting will establish that. If it isn't, you will be back to CC. You don't need to make the decision until you are blasting

 

[Elessar]

Well, had enough of antifouling now and will coppercoat next year. Underneath many years worth of antifoul on my hull there is the original coppercoat boat left factory with. When that wore out the then owner had it coated with gel shield before using conventional antifoul.

So, what do I get it blasted back to prior to CUcoat; gel coat, gel shield or original coppercoat?

Obviously I’ll speak to coppercoat people nearer the time, just pondering really.

If we could avoid the CUcoat debate that would be good.

Just go back to the gel shield. It will be a perfect base. Sand with 100 grit and Coppercoat over that. It doesn’t matter if bits of Coppercoat come through either. Sand the lot.
Do not try and remove the gel shield and original Coppercoat. It is harder than the gel coat underneath and you will ruin the fair finish of your boat for absolutely no gain.

 

[Elessar]

If you get it blasted, thr blast guy will be able to decide. If the gel shield is sound, the blasting will establish that. If it isn't, you will be back to CC. You don't need to make the decision until you are blasting

I agree with that too. If they didn’t sand the Coppercoat well it may flake off. But a mixed economy is fine if only bits fall off as long as it is sanded fair And is sound.

 

[fredrussell]

Cheers folks - not something I need to think about for a while but good to hear your views on this.

 

[KeelsonGraham]

We had ours done last winter. Blasted back to gelcoat because the gel shield (mostly) fell off. The guys at Coppercoat recommended that we apply Coppercoat directly onto the gelcoat.

 

[ashtead]

Curious to know how much does this investment cost-I guess varies by hull length but a range ? Does anyone the Op have a breakdown for the sanding mentioned?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Curious to know how much does this investment cost-I guess varies by hull length but a range ? Does anyone the Op have a breakdown for the sanding mentioned?

Mine has never needed sanding, and AMC do not recommend it as a routine thing - only if the coating loses effect. As long as the colour is dark green, it doesn't need sanding, at least, not in UK waters. YMMV in tropical waters.

 

[fredrussell]

Curious to know how much does this investment cost-I guess varies by hull length but a range ? Does anyone the Op have a breakdown for the sanding mentioned?

My back of an envelope calculation is approximately £750 to get (31ft fin keel) hull blasted, and best part of a grand to buy the coppercoat and consumables.

 

[Elessar]

Mine has never needed sanding, and AMC do not recommend it as a routine thing - only if the coating loses effect. As long as the colour is dark green, it doesn't need sanding, at least, not in UK waters. YMMV in tropical waters.

To be fair he was referring to the sanding prior to application which is needed.

You are 100% right about post application sanding. One of the many Coppercoat myths is that it needs sanding every year.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

To be fair he was referring to the sanding prior to application which is needed.

You are 100% right about post application sanding. One of the many Coppercoat myths is that it needs sanding every year.

And of course, sanding reduces its lifespan.

 

[KeelsonGraham]

Curious to know how much does this investment cost-I guess varies by hull length but a range ? Does anyone the Op have a breakdown for the sanding mentioned?

For our 34ft shoal keeler it was £1300 for the blasting/sanding plus £3700 for hull prep and copper-coating. Both jobs done by local firms. The latter included filling various minor voids in the skeg.