antifouling

Firkin Diver · 17 July 2006, 18:42

Hi All,
I'm about to start keeping my boat on a permanent mooring. I've been offered different advice, with regards to anitfouling by 2 respected RIB owners. One saying; you'll loose about 5knts off top speed & it'll effect resale values, intead just wax the hull, then pressure wash it monthly. The other saying; get it done, it won't make any real difference to resale & negligable speed difference, not doing it will lead to hull staining etc.

I'm confused, HELP!

Mike

PS: I was going to use Interspeed Ultra paint, if that helps....

codprawn · 17 July 2006, 18:48

Well my boat has been on it's mooring for about 2 months and it is in a hell of a state now - top speed has dropped from 40kts to 32kts and I assume fuel consumption has gone up although I have only just got my fuel computer running right.

I will be pulling it out of the water soon but for me it's a major job. IF you have access to some sort of lift or can get it out on a trailer every month then I would just keep pressure washing and scrubbing.

It is because of all these probs that I have been working on my own antifouling mix - hope to try it this time around. I KNOW it will work on a boat that never moves or something slow but I don't know yet if it will survive 40kts - if it does I will make a mint!!!

Andy Moore · 17 July 2006, 19:10

I have had this dilema too.

So far I have had it jetted off twice this year. It came up really well, with only a hint of where the weed had grown left.

I figure that having it antifouled would be cheaper but I hate the idea of covering up that slippery hull with paint.

BTW, we hit the rev limiter today: 5600rpm, 41knts (pito), trimmed partly up. Good fun.

Poly · 17 July 2006, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

It is because of all these probs that I have been working on my own antifouling mix - hope to try it this time around. I KNOW it will work on a boat that never moves or something slow but I don't know yet if it will survive 40kts - if it does I will make a mint!!!

I don't mean to be faeceatious but are you suggesting the CP formulation will be more effective than anything that millions of pounds of R&D from International Marine (Part of the Akzo Nobel EUR 12 bn corporation!) or Blakes, who I think are also part of a reasonably big affair, or their competitors can discover.

I'm not suggesting that the "one man band" can never come up with a great product - but I thought your area of expertise was IT consulting...

codprawn · 17 July 2006, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I don't mean to be faeceatious but are you suggesting the CP formulation will be more effective than anything that millions of pounds of R&D from International Marine (Part of the Akzo Nobel EUR 12 bn corporation!) or Blakes, who I think are also part of a reasonably big affair, or their competitors can discover.

I'm not suggesting that the "one man band" can never come up with a great product - but I thought your area of expertise was IT consulting...

Although my degree was in Physics my first love was always chemistry.

Many very successful products have been developed on the "kitchen table" - Tippex being just one example. I have just met a bloke who is making a fortune from selling various cleaning products he has made himself.

Richard B · 17 July 2006, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I have just met a bloke who is making a fortune from selling various cleaning products he has made himself.

Barry Scott?

Poly · 17 July 2006, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Although my degree was in Physics my first love was always chemistry.

Many very successful products have been developed on the "kitchen table" - Tippex being just one example. I have just met a bloke who is making a fortune from selling various cleaning products he has made himself.

I think you will find that it was "Liquid Paper" rather than "Tipp-ex" which was made on a kitchen table: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_Paper but it also took her 17 years to make a profit - so not a great example of "making a mint" from a kitchen table product. I don't know how quickly or easily she came up with the idea either. Presumably other people had used household paint to cover mistakes previously?

I'm not trying to knock you - if you have a great new magic formula then good on you, and I hope you manage to exploit it commercially. But I'm a little sceptical that you will suddenly be able to invent a new product that sticks to gel-coat (at speed), and prevents adhesion of weed, barnacles etc, doesn't wear off when you do put her on a trailer or a beach. Complies with the appropriate legislation on biocides. Is easy (and relatively safe to apply), has an adequate shelf life for production in any sensible volume etc. All this and compete with a number of well established players in a relatively conservative market.

So:- a homemade antifouling that works for you - maybe (although if I had made the investment you had I would stick to conventional off the shelf products). But make "a mint" I doubt it - happy for you to prove me wrong.

Cheers,

Neil

codprawn · 17 July 2006, 23:25

I did quite clearly state

"It is because of all these probs that I have been working on my own antifouling mix - hope to try it this time around. I KNOW it will work on a boat that never moves or something slow but I don't know yet if it will survive 40kts - if it does I will make a mint!!"

Notice the bit - IF it works at 40kts!!!

I just don't know - the stuff did survive 3 washes in my dishwasher - I was quite suprised - would have thought the hot water would have removed it easily.

As to the environment the stuff is so safe you could eat it - prob wouldn't taste too good though.

I would have thought that as long as the stuff survives a few weeks and is easy to apply there must be a market for it - like safeboat skin - only hopefully my stuff will work - I shall soon see - my loacal harbour must be the ideal test given the state of my hull.....

Here is an example taken with the great little Optio underwater.

codprawn · 17 July 2006, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Barry Scott?

I had to Google him - how the hell could anyone come up with a name like cillit bang??? More to the point how can they afford prime time TV ads???

Hugh Jardon · 18 July 2006, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Here is an example taken with the great little Optio underwater.

that pic looks more like a closeup of someones butt in the bath!!

have you been trying your new formula on yourself?

Limey Linda · 18 July 2006, 00:55

Ooooooooh dear, does Hugh have a butt fetish? Sounds like he is an expert on butts.

Poly · 18 July 2006, 06:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

my loacal harbour must be the ideal test given the state of my hull.....

Here is an example taken with the great little Optio underwater.

Is that YOUR hull? is that growth since you brought it to Wales, or did it start in the CI?

Quote:

I just don't know - the stuff did survive 3 washes in my dishwasher - I was quite suprised - would have thought the hot water would have removed it easily.

My dishwasher barely removes the food if it is burnt/dried on at all.

Firkin Diver · 18 July 2006, 07:46

Err, we've got way off the topic here.

So should I antifoul or not?

Mike

Pete7 · 18 July 2006, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firkin Diver

So should I antifoul or not? Mike

Yes, its a commerical vessel and you are running a business. Spending hour after hour cleaning and polishing your hull every week isn't earning you a living. Spending the same time actively marketing the business would.

Pete

codprawn · 18 July 2006, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Is that YOUR hull? is that growth since you brought it to Wales, or did it start in the CI?

My dishwasher barely removes the food if it is burnt/dried on at all.

In fairness it was cleaned off very well by Jason before I brought it home. All that muck is totally home grown!!! The water in our harbour is quite warm - 19C so no wonder the stuff is thriving.

Richard B · 18 July 2006, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

My dishwasher barely removes the food if it is burnt/dried on at all.

I can't get our RIB in the dishwasher!

Poly · 18 July 2006, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

I can't get our RIB in the dishwasher!

So does that mean your rib is too big or your dishwasher is too small?

Boatcareuk · 01 October 2006, 16:21

If you use a hard antifoul there is no way you will loose 5kts in comparision with a weeks worth of slime and barnacles.

I don't beleive it really affects actual value unless there are tonnes of layers. If the antifoul is sanded back each year, I think that you may reduce sellability slightly.

Pete7 · 01 October 2006, 17:07

Good example of what happens if you don't antifoul turned up in Yarmouth this afternoon, pretty little Avon 5.6m in blue and white. Shame about the 6 inches of fouling on the hull and tubes. Steve was heard to say she (the driver) could do with a lawn mower to clean that lot off.

Pete