Wet sand AFTER Antifouling ?

[alec]

I remember buying a boat from a Club yard where most of the boat owners were racing boys.

Without exception, they all wet sanded their hulls AFTER antifouling. I don’t think many of them used ‘hard’ antifouling either.

As I have a large wetted area (long keel), do you think it might do me any good ?

I have bought the posh 2 part antifouling ( Blakes Ocean Performer ) at £75.95 that others have raved about.


Regards,

 

[snowleopard]

at that price i'd hate the thought of rubbing any of it off.

the ideal finish for racing is a smooth but matt finish which promotes optimum laminar flow better than a gloss surface. roughnesses caused by dust or roller marks will also slow the boat down. the speed difference is in hundredths of a knot but rubbing some of the paint off may reduce the effective life of the antifoul by weeks or even months.

 

[tcm]

i spose it must reduce drag, but by only a teeny weeny bit - but then i spose races are won by teeny weeny bits and if the others are dong it, best get it done if racing? I wd suggest polishing it, even.

Before that though, drilling holes in everything possible (not the hull) ans throwing all the kit away apart from a handheld vhf wd be much beter, surely, and a massive diet.

I saw others getting covered in blue shitey water under their boat at the weekend.

 

[pvb]

No...

Ocean Performer, like Micron Optima, is a soft eroding antifouling. If you wet sand it you'll just wear it out more quickly! Eroding antifouling will tend to self-level its surface slightly as the boat travels through the water.

 

[Oldhand]

As advised by other respondants don't wet sand newly applied antifouling. By all means wet sand and wash off before application. However, if you wan't a good finish, use a very short haired roller, long haired fluffy rollers may allow the job to be completed very quickly but leave a finish like an artexed ceiling.

 

[paulburton44]

I use a sponge roller (off subject a bit ) gives a smooth finish..

Don't buy the cheap 10 in a packet one from the boat jumbles. The sponge come unattached...used all 10 and had to buy a decent one as well. total waste of money.

 

[alienzdive]

Racing boats are in to win, the costs are sometimes irrelevant.
If sanding the top surface layer off newly done antifoul for a slightly smoother finnish will give the winning edge, so be it if hauling and antifouling application is to be done a little more often.


For cruisers though, put on a few thick coats and leave it alone.

 

[Aja]

Drysail

......if you want to win.....

 

[cruisingsam]

Real race boats use silicone not antifouling!