Safest way to remove new Antifouling

[KevinV]

Another thought. Given that removing the antifouling may well leave the gel coat compromised, maybe coating the underwater area in epoxy would be a reasonable compromise. Not only will it strengthen the surface but provide a good base if in the future you or a subsequent owner decides to Coppercoat or use conventional antfouling.

My thinking went along those lines - an epoxy barrier - except that I'd go straight to coppercoat, preferably at the builder's expense. Other than not looking like a brand new white hull I can't see a down side
Whatever other solution the OP wants to try, the coppercoat won't hinder it, and it'll be there for years to come.

 

[Neeves]

Another thought. Given that removing the antifouling may well leave the gel coat compromised, maybe coating the underwater area in epoxy would be a reasonable compromise. Not only will it strengthen the surface but provide a good base if in the future you or a subsequent owner decides to Coppercoat or use conventional antfouling.

Not sure what brand of antifouling. In regards to negotiating for a discount , that option crossed my mind but at the end long term hassle in my case will not be compensated by any discount. Thanks for the idea .

If I've got this right

The supplier of the vessel have said they will 'put right' the unwanted AF at their expense. You have had some suggestions and Tranona's suggestion, post 40, seems to put you back where you wanted to be, or almost so. The only downside is that the remedial work will take time - but winter is well embedded so maybe you will not lose much time on the water. In any event with the right weather (and we don't know your location - maybe you are in Oz ...). or undercover it might not take long

Job done!

But I am intrigued

What are you going to do to keep the hull clean....? I don't mind antifouling, I find it strangely satisfying, but I do mind the state the hull is in just prior - so if you have an answer - I, for one, would love to know the options.

I am sure the members who have contributed would welcome an update.

Jonathan

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Slight thread drift but The big antifouling test 2023: The full results of our 18-month showdown
might help a bit motorboat rather than sail.

 

[Ezz]

Hi all

There is an update to the antifouling issue. There is an offer to remove the antifouling with deep hull gelcoat respraying but without warranty...Would that be as good as the a new gelcoat on a boat? Or would have issue years ahead?

 

[CrikeyChris]

Spraying gelcoat (or brushing) will leave a texture. It can be sanded out but very labour intensive and probably quiet skilled work. I have seen a boat ( topsides) re gelcoated and it looked almost perfect but very close inspection showed some irregularities. Also, you would want to be sure it was resprayed in good conditions - inside with temperature control.

 

[Ezz]

Spraying gelcoat (or brushing) will leave a texture. It can be sanded out but very labour intensive and probably quiet skilled work. I have seen a boat ( topsides) re gelcoated and it looked almost perfect but very close inspection showed some irregularities. Also, you would want to be sure it was resprayed in good conditions - inside with temperature control.

That is what I am worried about. ...almost perfect but not as smooth as new gelcoat hull..thanks for sharing.

 

[Mark-1]

Forgive the ignorant question but if the boat is going to be kept in the water with alternative AF methods why not just leave the AF? It won't do any harm and the lack of shiney gell coat won't matter if it's underwater and covered in (at least) light slime all the time anyway.

Clearly that's not a viable solution since nobody's mentioned it but I'd like to know why.

I'm feeling vicarious annoyance at the manufacturer BTW. Causing a problem that can't sensibly be undone and you can't reasonably reject the boat because it's custom.

 

[Thistle]

Hi all

There is an update to the antifouling issue. There is an offer to remove the antifouling with deep hull gelcoat respraying but without warranty...Would that be as good as the a new gelcoat on a boat? Or would have issue years ahead?

"... without warranty ... " says it all for me.

 

[Ezz]

Forgive the ignorant question but if the boat is going to be kept in the water with alternative AF methods why not just leave the AF? It won't do any harm and the lack of shiney gell coat won't matter if it's underwater and covered in (at least) light slime all the time anyway.

Clearly that's not a viable solution since nobody's mentioned it but I'd like to know why.

I'm feeling vicarious annoyance at the manufacturer BTW. Causing a problem that can't sensibly be undone and you can't reasonably reject the boat because it's custom.

Not at all... my answer in post #12..thanks

 

[Mark-1]

Not at all... my answer in post #12..thanks

Yeah, I was thinking just leave it - never reapply, never remove. Let nature remove it.

 

[westernman]

Hi all

There is an update to the antifouling issue. There is an offer to remove the antifouling with deep hull gelcoat respraying but without warranty...Would that be as good as the a new gelcoat on a boat? Or would have issue years ahead?

Why no warranty?

Surely the boat was supplied with warranty, but did not conform to the order.
IMHO fixing it to make it conform to what was ordered should not void any warranties.

 

[Polly's Kettle]

OK, I think the group have answered your question, but that the real issue remains.

Almost everyone replying has advised you to just keep the antifoul as the best option. In other words, they advise you that your original instruction to the manufacturer was probably not the right one.

In addition, the manufacturers mistake by applying anti-foul seems to be because your request is so unusual for a boat kept in the water.

I admire someone with the courage of their convictions, but gently, and respectfully suggest that yours is so strong that having asked for advice, it causes a rejection of anything that does not align with pre-existing beliefs.

But there must be some point at which you choose to pause, and wonder whether you had this right in the first place? That the reason everyone uses antifoul is because it is the best option?

 

[Mark-1]

That the reason everyone uses antifoul is because it is the best option?

Well yeah, although I think AF is so poor these days a mid season scrub has become routine for some. I do find myself wondering if three spray offs a season without fresh AF might be less hassle than one with.

It's the chief advantage of coppercoat IMHO.

 

[jwilson]

I would be very very dubious about getting existing AF removed and gelcoat abraded enough to re-gelcoat. You are going from original gelcoat chemically bonded to the hull layup to a new gelcoat essentially "glued on", and new polyester to older polyester/vinylester bonds are not that perfect.

If they will remove the AF and coppercoat it you are getting a polyester to epoxy bond, which is a bit more reliable, and the coppercoat will do some good in both isolating the polyester/vinylester hull from the water (osmosis eventually) and deterring fouling when the boat is immersed. I presume you do intend to have the hull in the water at times.

 

[dunedin]

Not at all... my answer in post #12..thanks

Well it’s your call …… and you might be right. But as post #52 explains so eloquently, almost everybody else thinks you will in the end regret not keeping the antifoul on.
Out of interest, where is this place in the world where simple painting (which is all antifouling replacement is, if needed) can’t be done? Other than Antarctica this would seem surprising.

 

[B27]

Well yeah, although I think AF is so poor these days a mid season scrub has become routine for some. I do find myself wondering if three spray offs a season without fresh AF might be less hassle than one with.

It's the chief advantage of coppercoat IMHO.

Indeed.
Unless the boat is to be dry sailed, I would think that getting it coppercoated was the best outcome?

 

[lustyd]

OK, I think the group have answered your question, but that the real issue remains.

Almost everyone replying has advised you to just keep the antifoul as the best option. In other words, they advise you that your original instruction to the manufacturer was probably not the right one.

In addition, the manufacturers mistake by applying anti-foul seems to be because your request is so unusual for a boat kept in the water.

I admire someone with the courage of their convictions, but gently, and respectfully suggest that yours is so strong that having asked for advice, it causes a rejection of anything that does not align with pre-existing beliefs.

But there must be some point at which you choose to pause, and wonder whether you had this right in the first place? That the reason everyone uses antifoul is because it is the best option?

Of course, from another perspective, someone with the money to test their theory has ordered a boat with that in mind. Why should they accept a boat in a condition they didn’t want because a bunch of strangers on the Internet who have neither the means, motivation nor imagination to challenge accepted wisdom told them to?
You may be right, but you’re not willing to buy a boat to prove it or even test it. OP is and I say they should get what they paid for.

 

[Biggles Wader]

Of course, from another perspective, someone with the money to test their theory has ordered a boat with that in mind. Why should they accept a boat in a condition they didn’t want because a bunch of strangers on the Internet who have neither the means, motivation nor imagination to challenge accepted wisdom told them to?
You may be right, but you’re not willing to buy a boat to prove it or even test it. OP is and I say they should get what they paid for.

If you don't want the opinions of a bunch of strangers on the internet then probably best not to ask a bunch of strangers on the internet. That's what a forum is for no?

 

[westernman]

Why no warranty?

Surely the boat was supplied with warranty, but did not conform to the order.
IMHO fixing it to make it conform to what was ordered should not void any warranties.

Not sure what your use pattern is, but if you are leaving it in the water any time at all you are not using it, a "naked" hull will get fouled very quickly.
No anti-fouling is only practical if the boat is dry sailed. I.e. put in the water each time you take it out and put back on land/on the rack when you come back.

If I could get them to copper coat it for free, I would be very happy with that outcome.