On the Mudway. Fouling.

[oldgit]

Probably the worst year for Mobo hull fouling ever.
Virtually Every boat going on our drying blocks has much worse than usual fouling this year.
A mix of barnycules and slime with the odd severe case of some sort of weed.
Several boats back on the blocks last week due to lack of speed even though out on blocks during this March/April etc.
One boat had only been A/F 2 months previously.

Conclusions.
Ideal growth conditions for the wee beasties.
Boats not being used.
Cheapskates using "Classic" soft A/F on planing boats, one whizz and its gone.

One boat skipper added a large quantity of (expensive) copper powder to his propriatory A/F in the belief that it would help matters.
Last out in April, back on blocks this week, this boat should do 22-23 + knots, unable to exceed 15 knots.
Thats the added copper myth biting the dust ?

 

[Neeves]

Thats the added copper myth biting the dust ?

Hard AF are formulated with a specific percentage of insolubles, add any amount of copper powder and you reduce the 'holding capacity' of the resin systems. Similarly with soft/ablative AF. Add anything and the resin system is compromised, the active ingredient is not longer bound to the coating - you are contaminating the environment.

The destroyed myth is the idea that rank amateurs know more than paint companies

If copper powder was a panacea it would already have been researches and tried.

It is proven successful as an additive to specific hard resin systems at defined solid loadings, its called Copper Coat. Copper sheet was successful - but then it was nailed down.

Jonathan

 

[neil_s]

Yep - I bought the cheap antifouling. Just done my visit to the scrubbing piles in Chichester. Will probably need another one before the end of the sailing season.

 

[oldgit]

Same with propellers on Mobos.
The designers and builders probably spent large amounts of time and money getting the size/pitch to engine HP ratio for the boat correct for best performance and economy/reliability .
Then along comes somebody peddling magic propellers..................... again ?