Micron Extra (3 years +) - Really?

[Georgio]

Nice boat. Is that a Hydrovane? How do you get on with that?

It's my parents boat rather than mine and they used the Hydrovane a lot while away so seem to be happy with it. I have a Windpilot on my boat which I only use offshore, it's a great bit of kit.

 

[Tim Good]

It's my parents boat rather than mine and they used the Hydrovane a lot while away so seem to be happy with it. I have a Windpilot on my boat which I only use offshore, it's a great bit of kit.

Well that's my dilemma. Hydrovane or Windpilot. I like the idea of being able to offset and no lines in the cockpit but wonder if the HV would be able to cope without de powering the sail plan hugely.

 

[Georgio]

Well that's my dilemma. Hydrovane or Windpilot. I like the idea of being able to offset and no lines in the cockpit but wonder if the HV would be able to cope without de powering the sail plan hugely.

Being a servo pendulum type the windpilot is more powerful (and so more tolerant of sail imbalance) but as you say it does need lines in the cockpit. Like everything in life you need to choose the one that is the best compromise for you. I think there may be a version of the windpilot that has it's own rudder so does not need the lines and can be a second means of steering but I have never seen it in the flesh.

 

[Tim Good]

I think there may be a version of the windpilot that has it's own rudder so does not need the lines and can be a second means of steering but I have never seen it in the flesh.

Yeah there top end version seems to combine the both. Unsure if it can be off centre though.

 

[Jamesuk]

Is this an old wives tale or has anyone else witnessed a single seasons worth of Antifoul lastly multiple years?

Im pretty sure 3 coats is up to 24 months 4 perhaps 36. If looked after.

I just whacked on two coats for 12 months expensive stuff.

 

[Pete7]

I put 3 coats of Micron extra 2 on in March last year and was very disappointed with the performance. I had to scrub four times during the year to keep the growth in check. I am based in Gosport in a new location, and I notice there is some kid of outfall pipe nearby, so maybe that is more of the reason why?

You're in Gosport, nothing works more than a few months, you may as well use Dulux. Though to be fair the water temperature in the harbour was exceptionally warm last year.

Over the years in Gosport I have tired,tThe original Micron which was okay say 7/10. Uno was good for a while say 7/10 and then something changed. Used Seajet 33 for the last couple of years 8/10 the first year, but failed very early on last year and even complained to the importer but not much happened. Wasn't for the lack of paint either, 5L on a a 31ft yacht.

Not sure what to use this year, probably back to Micron Extra but new type worries me at that price.

 

[haydude]

In the yard the other day a chap said that 4 thin coats of Micron Extra keeps him going for 4 years providing he gives it a scrub occasionally by swimming or drying out every now and then.

Is this an old wives tale or has anyone else witnessed a single seasons worth of Antifoul lastly multiple years?

Before having Ultrasonic I used to manage up to 18 months with micron extra and at the end of 18 months the bottom used to be very weedy, but no barnacles. Now I use Ultrasonic in combination with Micron Extra. I get to two years with weeds only around the waterline and thin slime on the rest of the hull. I have never thought to just clean and relaunch because in any case propeller and saildrive do get lots of barnacles, anodes needs replacing ... so haul out and whilst she is there I put another two coats after a light scrub.

However, last time I used Hempel Tiger Extra because I was told by the "expert" that it was equivalent to Micron Extra and cheaper. Now I have weeds around the waterline already after one year. So I can say that Micron Extra in my case worked better than Tiger Extra, but definately for no further than 2 years with Ultrasonic help.