Solvent based antifouling

[181L]

In the May 2003 issue, (p.57) the Practical BoatOwner Expert warned against solvent based antifouling being applied to plastic transducers, housings and anything else that the antifouling solvents could adversely affect - and suggested that water based antifouling should be used. This adverse reaction is not mentioned in antifouling literature or in the fitting instructions of most new transducers.
I had hoped that following the PBO expert's statement, paint manufacturers would have rushed out a denial - but there appears to have been silence. <Even a public statement that it was being looked into would help. >
I had a paddlewheel transducer fail last year due to a crack where the screws - "axle"- went through the tube. I have replaced the old Seafarer with a combined NASA and, following the May PBO article, I decided not to start coating the new transducer with any more solvent based antifouling. However, after three months in the water the paddlewheel started growing limpets….
Can anyone authoritatively state whether solvent based antifouling can cause plastic etc. to crack or fail?



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[pvb]

Doubt it\'s a major problem...

I've been using solvent-based antifouling on my plastic paddlewheel log transducer for 7 years, and it hasn't damaged it.

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[SlowlyButSurely]

Re: Doubt it\'s a major problem...

I've been using solvent-based antifouling on my Seafarer transducer (same as NASA) for the last 17 years with no problem. It's probably just another one of those theoretical "problems".

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[misterg]

The instructions for both my Raymarine Log and Depth transducer warn against using solvent based antifouling on the grounds of weakening the plastic. The instructions also state that water based antifouling is "mandatory" and instruct which bits of the paddle-wheel, fitting, etc. to coat.

Coming at it the other way - What water based antifouling is available ? Brands ? Experiences?

Andy

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[Cloven]

Spoke to Raymarine dealer a few days ago about this very matter. He assured me that putting normal (solvent based) antifoul on the transducer mounts was fine but NOT to put it on either the depth transducer head itself or the paddlewheel.

His advice was to not antifoul the transducer head or paddlewheel at all but if possible withdraw them & replace with the blanking plug if not being used for more than a week or so. Obviously this depends on where in your boat they are fitted as to how easy it is.

However, if you do need a water based antifoul, International paints do one called Interspeed Aqua which is suitable for underwater skin fittings.

Hope this helps.


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[misterg]

Yes, thanks. I have to say, though, that it would be the fitting *I* was most worried about, and would have thought that this was most at risk from failure.

Hey-Ho.

Andy

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