Antifouling & Tube Protection

nspain · 24 November 2007, 13:58

Hi,

I know there have been various threads on antifouling RIBs and I've waded through a few of them but couldn't find much about protecting tubes against growth. I have a Ribcraft 5.3 and the aft few feet of the tubes sit in the water when the boat is tied up in the marina. After a summer of lifting every 4-5 weeks I've decided to antifoul it for next year, even after 5 weeks in the water it's a 2 man job for at least an hour, often longer, to get it clean again. The yacht I race also has no antifouling on it either but it's lifted every week and has about 5 people to scrub it, so it's with a slightly heavy heart that I've decided to paint my lovely white bottom on the RIB.

While it's all well and good antifouling the hull, probably with Blakes Hard Racing option, does anyone have any tips for keeping the tubes which won't be antifouled somewhat growth free?? Is there any form of polish in particular, or some kind of wax or even grease of some sort that can be applied to stop the little feckers clinging on to the tubes??

Cheers,

Neil.

shirehorse · 24 November 2007, 17:37

When i bought my rib the water line and below on the tubes were also antifouled nothing grew there, but what a waste of a lovely gell coat still trying to get mine back to original.

alystra · 25 November 2007, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspain

Hi,

Is there any form of polish in particular, or some kind of wax or even grease of some sort that can be applied to stop the little feckers clinging on to the tubes??

Cheers,

Neil.

No.

Beware of smoke and mirrors and snake oil.

Polymarine do a special antifouling paint for tubes. I'm going to try some next year as my tubes have barnacles attached, even though the boat's used regularly.

nspain · 25 November 2007, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirehorse

When i bought my rib the water line and below on the tubes were also antifouled nothing grew there, but what a waste of a lovely gell coat still trying to get mine back to original.

I couldn't agree more with you but the hardship just isn't worth it for a RIB which is used every week and therefore kept afloat. The only other option I can think of is to get a floating dock type thing to keep it on. Antifouling seems like the significanty cheaper option though......

Rogue Wave · 25 November 2007, 23:20

I have heard that Lard does rather a good job of stopping the growth