What antifoul are you using this year?

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The big test by PBO over 2015 and 16 led me to using Seajet 033 Shogun last year (Hamble). Applied to the letter of the instructions, this was after seven weeks.

Not what you'd call fast. For the rest of the year I jetwashed every few weeks, thus ensuring there's not a lot left to remove in preparation for this year. I'll be using one of the hard racing types, but can't decide which as I've not used one for decades. Any ideas? I'll be jetwashing as often as need be - is that too aggressive or should I be thinking of caressing with a velvet glove?

 

[SailSouth]

Not sure if there is any truth to this but it was mentioned to me that with a hard antifouling you are better off cleaning with an abrasive pad than jet washing.

The reason being that the high pressure water washes the biocide out of the paint matrix making fouling more likely on what is left. A regular wipe down with an abrasive removes the top payer of the paint matrix (which will have depleted it's biocide content) and so exposing AF paint that is still loaded with the nasties that make it work.

This all seems logical to me.

I'm using my final stock of Micron 77 this year for boats based in Portsmouth and on the Hamble but it's no longer available so TBC what I use next winter.

 

[savageseadog]

Not sure if there is any truth to this but it was mentioned to me that with a hard antifouling you are better off cleaning with an abrasive pad than jet washing.

The reason being that the high pressure water washes the biocide out of the paint matrix making fouling more likely on what is left. A regular wipe down with an abrasive removes the top payer of the paint matrix (which will have depleted it's biocide content) and so exposing AF paint that is still loaded with the nasties that make it work.

This all seems logical to me.

I'm using my final stock of Micron 77 this year for boats based in Portsmouth and on the Hamble but it's no longer available so TBC what I use next winter.

Power washing also pits the finish

 

[MikeBz]

The efficacy of different anti-foulings seems to vary hugely from one location to another. I have used Seajet 033 Shogun on a tidal mooring on the East Coast for the last 3 years and it has been pretty good - just one mid-season scrub to remove some slime and a green beard around the waterline. We do get a lot of barnacles on the bits which touch the bottom on low springs.

I have also heard that jet-washing anti-fouling reduces it effectiveness considerably.

 

[dancrane]

My XOD mate says he swims round his boat with a long brush, energetically scrubbing and splashing and making a lot of noise in the process.

It may not shift much fouling but it seriously messes with his fellow-competitors' confidence. :biggrin-new:

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Not sure if there is any truth to this but it was mentioned to me that with a hard antifouling you are better off cleaning with an abrasive pad than jet washing.

The reason being that the high pressure water washes the biocide out of the paint matrix making fouling more likely on what is left. A regular wipe down with an abrasive removes the top payer of the paint matrix (which will have depleted it's biocide content) and so exposing AF paint that is still loaded with the nasties that make it work.

I suspected as much. It's not too much of a hardship work-wise, but can't take the mickey by tying up the hoist for too long. What I will do is check with the manufacturer (once decided) and report back.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The efficacy of different anti-foulings seems to vary hugely from one location to another. I have used Seajet 033 Shogun on a tidal mooring on the East Coast for the last 3 years and it has been pretty good - just one mid-season scrub to remove some slime and a green beard around the waterline. We do get a lot of barnacles on the bits which touch the bottom on low springs.

This is the PBO test from 2016 which I based my last year's choice on, and they made a very good effort to compare regions. The boat's on a river pontoon not far from the mouth of the Hamble, so a lot of tide, but a fair amount of sun too.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I emailed International asking the question. Looks like I'll be giving it a try.

 

[wotayottie]

Same as the one I applied in 2010 - Coppercoat.

 

[wotayottie]

My XOD mate says he swims round his boat with a long brush, energetically scrubbing and splashing and making a lot of noise in the process.

It may not shift much fouling but it seriously messes with his fellow-competitors' confidence. :biggrin-new:

Thats like the old trick of throwing one or two circlips onto their deck when they arent looking.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Same as the one I applied in 2010 - Coppercoat.

I'd probably give it a go if I were going to keep this boat for a few years, but have a plan for an upgrade before too long.

 

[Sean Carter]

Hello

I went to a talk about antifouling last night at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club given by AkzoNobel(International) and they said you should use cleaner (Fairy Liquid) as well to remove residue,

 

[Dawnrazor]

Used Cruiser UNO last year with reasonable success, with mooring time split 50/50 between Southsea Marina and Port Solent.

Am trying Seajet Shogun 033 this year - She's been back in the water a week now, so we'll see what happens over the next few months. Would like to give Coppercoat a go, but it's a big outlay, and i've got better things to spend the money on this year.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Hello

I went to a talk about antifouling last night at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club given by AkzoNobel(International) and they said you should use cleaner (Fairy Liquid) as well to remove residue,

Interesting, thanks, I'll do that.

 

[MissFitz]

First year of antifouling my new boat so have been giving this much thought - particularly as whatever was put on it last year does not seem to have been fit for purpose. After enquiries among the local race fleet I'm going to give Flag Performance Extra a try. Also had recommendations for Nautical A4 and International Offshore with Teflon.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Coppercoat for me, applied in 2010 and cleaned off a bit at the end of the year. I don't race mind you and have a slow boat so I value ease and safety over slipperyness

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I'm not sure if I'm cracking up but I'm convinced that I attached a link to the PBO test of paints in post #7.

Anyway, here 'tis:-

http://www.pbo.co.uk/gear/pbo-great-uk-antifouling-showdown-26053