Micron Extra (3 years +) - Really?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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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?
 
I've had good results with Micron Extra, both the old type and the new type II. I would think two years is very possible but I doubt four.

I once tried one coat for a season and it worked just as well.

I bought my current boat last year and she'd already been painted in Blakes Tiger, I was forever scrubbing her last year, every chance I got. There wasn't too much hard growth but lots of soft green beardy type stuff. It brushed off easy enough but I had to heep ontop of it.

She's all covered in Micron Extra II this year.

EDIT: Having seen Sailorman's post above I Have to say that I'd be interested in the Jotun if we were allowed to buy it! Lots of good reports and much cheaper than Micron.
 
I used to keep my last boat afloat all year round for 2 full years between antifouling. I used Micron, and after 2 years the hull still looked basically good, so I reckon 3 years is certainly a possibility. Trouble is, anodes don't necessarily last that long!
 
I put on 2 coats of micron extra with an additional one around the waterline, front edge of the keel and on the rudder (so 2.5 coats). Year later when hauled out overnight to pressure wash and change anodes it was perfect. 2 years later when briefly hauled again still pretty good. When hauled out after 2 years 7 months it was starting to flake (but that could have been at least in part due to the less-than-perfect substrate) and there were some (but not excessive) calcium deposits dotted about. Micron officially say 3-4 coats will last 2 years. Currently have the same 2.5 coats but of micron extra 2, applied 15 months ago, but haven't hauled out since to check how it's doing...
 
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pvb said:
I used to keep my last boat afloat all year round for 2 full years between antifouling. I used Micron, and after 2 years the hull still looked basically good, so I reckon 3 years is certainly a possibility. Trouble is, anodes don't necessarily last that long!
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I've always replaced anodes via snorkel. Like the challenge. :)
 
There is repetitious mention of Jotun Sea Queen, in praise of the product and dismay that it is no longer available in the UK. I have had good results with Jotun Sea Quantum Ultra (which might be Sea Queen with a different name). SQ comes in 4 different versions, static, slow boats (0-14kn), fast boats (and something else). It is a commercial ablative AF, used by Maersk amongst others. It seems freely available here and will be packed soon in 10l containers. Currently it is packaged in rather inconvenient and very heavy 20l drums.

But we find that its prop servicing (AF and anodes) that dictates the slipping schedule and unless we can find something that lasts more than 12 months for the props then many AFs will suffice on the hull - but maybe we will get 2 years from Jotun Sea Quantum and we can then simply slip every other year for 24 hours for the props.

Jonathan

Jonathan
 
northcave said:
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?
Click to expand...

I use to use Mcron Extra - Good for at leas 2 years in UK waters - in the West Indies I got 9 months and the hull still needed regular scrubbing so I changed to a local TBT based brand with extra tin.
 
So I was down at the chandlery yesterday and told them that I can dry and can scrub when swimming. I have a genset on board so doing a spray down in September for example isn't out of the question.

They then said Micro Extra is too soft to try and scrub so if I plan to rub it down then go for Cruiser Uno instead as it is heard.

Is the any truth in that one?
 
northcave said:
So I was down at the chandlery yesterday and told them that I can dry and can scrub when swimming. I have a genset on board so doing a spray down in September for example isn't out of the question.

They then said Micro Extra is too soft to try and scrub so if I plan to rub it down then go for Cruiser Uno instead as it is heard.

Is the any truth in that one?
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You can definitely scrub Micron Extra, I've done it many times. As with all eroding antifouling, just scrub as gently as you can to get the desired effect, IE don't go mental with a powerful pressure washer. I found a good domestic pressure washer is fine, might need to remove the odd barnacle by hand with a scraper. Another good thing is a nice SOFT deck brush and a hose pipe.
 
I have always use Micron Extra and a 2 to 2.5 year haul out - usually comes out pretty good.

I am about to go through the process again and cant decide what to do - because I hope to be in much warmer climes next year I am inclined not to use Micron Extra - but cant decide what to try. I suspect with much more continous use and warmer water it will not justify the extra cost.

I am tempted to try Premier after they assured me it is every bit as good and made to the same formula - but I have read mixed reviews. Jotun seems very popular, gets good reviews and appears to last well. .... but I am confused and not sure what to opt for.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
Depends where you are, and the fouling conditions. I used to go two years (easily) with ordinary Hempel antifouling on the Clyde. I've just applied Coppercoat, and hopefully that will do 10+ years!
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After much deliberation I decided against. Do let us all know how it goes!
 
Micron extra is very soft and will wear away if regularly cleaned.

I normally reapply micron every year but having cleaned the hull a couple of times last season and had a winter afloat she doesn't look too bad, just weed on the waterline so I plan to dry out, jet wash and just apply a new coat or two around the waterline where it has become thin and weedy. Should keep the boat clean for a while yet.

Of course it helps that the uk water is very cold at the moment, I may regret this come the summer!
 
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?
 
sailorman said:
Jotun Seaqueen would have
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+1 I used Micron Extra for years until it got stupid on price (now sadly ridicules) and like many others reluctantly stopped using it, then I changed to Seaqueen which without doubt was /is the best I have used, but now thats not available (as us yachtsmen don't know how to apply antifoul according to Jotun). this year after being 'in' another two years with Seaqueen I will try 2 x Jotun Nonestop on top of the usual Jotun Vinyguard but will reserve judgement until I next lift out, but I don't hold my hopes it will be anywhere as good as the old Seaqueen..
 
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