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Antifouling goes over the primer. It contains toxic biocides to prevent barnacles. Last summer, I had so many that the boat lost half her speed and the propeller turned into a mace. I wrote about it here, here, here, here and here. Some countries and individual marinas are now moving to ban biocidal paints, Sweden and the Netherlands among them.
What’s available:
— hard antifouling for fast boats, over 30 knots
— soft, self-polishing or self-eroding antifouling: the conventional option, shedding thin layers and their attached growth as you sail
— Coppercoat, copper powder mixed with epoxy. Very expensive and not environmentally friendly, but needs attention only every ten to fifteen years. Reviews suggest application mistakes can mean doing it again
— Hempel Silic One mentioned in the article I linked earlier. An expensive, environmentally friendly biocide-free coating that creates a smooth protective layer. Growth slips off. I couldn’t find reviews.
I chose the conventional route. On 29 March 2024, I set out six 0.75-litre tins of Hempel Mille NCT a brush for awkward spots, two rollers and a protective suit. Two coats required; a roller lasts one coat. I noticed no difference between foam and wool rollers. Antifouling is generally said to go on just before launch, though mine recommends eight hours’ drying before immersion.
It went on less easily than the primer. After a few roller strokes, it began sticking to the roller and flying off in fine strands, covering me and the floor in droplets. Now I’m wondering how to remove it from clothes: the protective suit failed its job. On the first pass, I accidentally used only one tin for the whole boat. I immediately went round again, applying generously and making no more than three roller strokes per patch. That used another two tins. Perhaps a brush would be easier. The next day, I repeated the process with two more tins. The sixth stayed unused.
#maintenance
What’s available:
— hard antifouling for fast boats, over 30 knots
— soft, self-polishing or self-eroding antifouling: the conventional option, shedding thin layers and their attached growth as you sail
— Coppercoat, copper powder mixed with epoxy. Very expensive and not environmentally friendly, but needs attention only every ten to fifteen years. Reviews suggest application mistakes can mean doing it again
— Hempel Silic One mentioned in the article I linked earlier. An expensive, environmentally friendly biocide-free coating that creates a smooth protective layer. Growth slips off. I couldn’t find reviews.
I chose the conventional route. On 29 March 2024, I set out six 0.75-litre tins of Hempel Mille NCT a brush for awkward spots, two rollers and a protective suit. Two coats required; a roller lasts one coat. I noticed no difference between foam and wool rollers. Antifouling is generally said to go on just before launch, though mine recommends eight hours’ drying before immersion.
It went on less easily than the primer. After a few roller strokes, it began sticking to the roller and flying off in fine strands, covering me and the floor in droplets. Now I’m wondering how to remove it from clothes: the protective suit failed its job. On the first pass, I accidentally used only one tin for the whole boat. I immediately went round again, applying generously and making no more than three roller strokes per patch. That used another two tins. Perhaps a brush would be easier. The next day, I repeated the process with two more tins. The sixth stayed unused.
#maintenance
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