clyst
Well-known member
Iv never met anyone who has used it but pontoon stories have conflicting beliefs even down to some marinas won't lift boats with it because of its slippy nature. Anyone used it ? Regards . .
Silicone antifouling ..... good or useless ?
- Thread starter clyst
- Start date
awol
Well-known member
No, but I have a couple of cans of the Hempel's prep coating and top coat open to offers. I never got round to using them.
lusitano
Active member
Problem is that if you use it once, you are kinda tied into using it permanently.
Removing it is a nightmare as it very mucky to wet sand, and clogs dry sandpaper almost instantly.
Not sure a barrier/primer coating would work on it either.
Removing it is a nightmare as it very mucky to wet sand, and clogs dry sandpaper almost instantly.
Not sure a barrier/primer coating would work on it either.
Arcady
Active member
Neeves
Well-known member
This is a major issue. There is not much 'independent' comment. Application is not difficult but laborious. Fine if it works - but nothing sticks to the surface subsequently (except foulings). Some commercial ships used it and have reverted to conventional paints. Like other AF it still relies on vessel movement - but if you have a build up of slime the fouling stick to the slime and ignore the silicone.
Many people who have tried or used it are supported by the manufacturer.
The technology and trials have been run for over 10 years - acceptance is low. If it was a resounding success you would not need to ask the question.
Jonathan
greeny
Well-known member
I saw a large-ish commercial fishing boat, probably 80 or 90 ft lifted out at Portimao last week. It came out absolutely clean of anything on the hull except the large cooling plates and some other metal bits were covered in mussel like clams. The hull that had the silicone a/foul on was prestine condition. Obviously a fishing boat is probably in constant use so a perfect situation for this type of a/foul.
lusitano
Active member
It,s actually been around for over twenty five years, originally labelled "Slippery Bottom" !
superheat6k
Well-known member
Worked for me on my Corvette 32, and will be going on my Grand Banks.
But rubbish on the props.
My pal Hot Property has also had very good results.
BUT follow the complex application instructions to the letter.
But rubbish on the props.
My pal Hot Property has also had very good results.
BUT follow the complex application instructions to the letter.
Hot Property
Well-known member
I've now used Silicone on my new RIB to great effect. Previous boat gained 1.5 knots as a result of using it.
First application is a bit long winded but in years 2 and 3 I just touched up areas where there was physical abrasions. It would have lasted another year but I sold the boat. Year 5 would just be 1 full coat required.
Really good on semi and full planing boats.
For yachts it will acquire slime but easy to wash off.
No connection with Hempel!
First application is a bit long winded but in years 2 and 3 I just touched up areas where there was physical abrasions. It would have lasted another year but I sold the boat. Year 5 would just be 1 full coat required.
Really good on semi and full planing boats.
For yachts it will acquire slime but easy to wash off.
No connection with Hempel!
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
I was a test boat. I am not using it now. Shall I leave it there, or would you like chapter and verse?
Boathook
Well-known member
A condensed chapter and verse ....
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
Worked in the first season, mostly, with weekly dive and spongeing. Second season, went backwards through the fleet, from second generally to second from last. Spores had remained in the coating, sprouted when she hit the water. No scrubbing could remove it. Eventually we hand scraped, then sanded to bare wood, re epoxied, primed, conventional antifoul, won first race back in the water. The stripping was truly horrendous. Threw away a Bosch sander afterwards, full of silicone dust.
I have photos, I’ll have a dig later
LadyInBed
Well-known member
The hanging question is how easy was it to remove?
Ed - answered whilst I was typing
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
Nasty. 3 days of hard graft, on a 20ft boat.
LadyInBed
Well-known member
Last time I removed ' ordinary ' AF it wasn't an easy job!
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
No it‘s not. We stripped 20 years worth off our Dragonfly last year. But that’s 3 x 30ft. An XOD is a compact 20 footer, it takes about 6 hours to strip conventional AF on that, on your own, a regular job on a race boat. That 3 days is just to strip. Surface prep was on top, plus the new coatings. Never again, is where I stand on it.
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
clyst
Well-known member
Wow thanks for all, the replies chaps ......... think I'll give it a miss .?
AntarcticPilot
Well-known member
Bottom line is that it only works for a vessel in almost constant motion at a speed of around 8 knots or higher. It won't work for a boat that spends most of its time stationary or moving at speeds below that.
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
Absolutely. We bought our X with the silicone on. And when it’s new it is very slippery. I would never have put it on, myself.