To AntiFoul or Not to Antifoul? And if so with what.

westerlystorm · 09 September 2012, 12:23

After a disastrous ribbing year where my Redbay Wraparound 6.5 has not even hit the water, due to weather and work committments. I have decided that next season I will keep my rib ( which I am possibly looking to change for an 8.4 Redbay Expeditionin if you have one), on the water somewhere here on the Northern Ireland North Coast.

Having come from being a Yacht owner where the yacht was always ready to step on to when wind and tide suited I do realise that antifouling means more annual chores but the convenience is what I miss.

Picking the wrong antifoul on a yacht call cost you a knot or more.

So what is the opinions out there on what antifoul to use, the harder and glossier racing ones I sumise????

Thanks

Gareth

jambo · 09 September 2012, 12:55

Well
I on the west of Scotland Tayvallich on a swing mooring and use UNO every year. Well worth the effort as I go
Not have the heavy growth on the hull.
At the end of the season all I have is a thin coat of slim which the power washer makes short shift of!!

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HUMBER P4VWL · 09 September 2012, 13:30

Definitely use some, even with it on by Sept ours eventually gets some weed on the tubes and slime on hull. We put black rubber on the underside of the rear 2/3 of our tubes this year so it can be scraped off without damage. If your tubes rest on the water, have a think what you want to do as weed comes off but leaves engrained black marks in the Hypalon.

Our speed drops from 50-37mph during the year, the difference is scary.

jambo · 09 September 2012, 14:10

Yes forgot we also put AF on the back third of the tubes for exactly the reasons Paul said.

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ewan clark · 10 September 2012, 13:32

Anti-fouling doesn't have to be an annual chore. A treatment of Coppercoat commonly remains effective for at least 10 years, and being a hard, glossy epoxy means that it doesn't slow the boat.

If you use the forum search facility and type in "Coppercoat" you should find a thread from Steve Blanchard of Poole Sea Safari. After an application of Coppercoat his boat gained several knots and used less fuel (he quoted a fuel saving of £4000 over the season!)

Certainly such a treatment should give you the convenience you are looking for.