antifouling loss of effect

Kesh

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
272
Our boat is normally stored dry, on the ground in a marina we pay. However, as we live surrounded by salt water channels, sometimes we prefer to have the boat at hand during the weekends, so the boats rests on the water several days, sometimes a week, but no more than 2 weeks. However, this is enough to start getting marine growth on the hull. I am thinking on applying antofouling, just to avoid the occassional dirty hull. I would like some advice on:<br /><br />a) somebody told me that if the antofouling is not in the water all the time it losses effect....is that true ???<br /><br />b) what is the best brand and/or characteristics I should look for ? (a cost estimate would also be useful)<br /><br />c) can it be applied by hand or does it requires an air compressor, painting gun, etc.....???<br /><br />d) what is the expected life under the conditions I mentioned ?<br /><br />Thanks a lot
 

Kesh

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
272
Re: antifouling loss of effect

oops I forgo another question:<br /><br />e) the hull of the boat is gelcoat finished (no paint). The guys at the marina use Muriatic Acid to clean the marine growth....is that an OK procedure????? everybody do it that way at the marina...I guess it is ok, but I want to be sure....also, once the antifouling is applied, will it require maintenance? (one guy at the marine told me about a boat that has an old antifouling, that has lost the effect, and now he uses also muriatic acid on it to clean the marine growth)...
 

Spidybot

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2002
Messages
1,734
Re: antifouling loss of effect

Shop for different antifoulings. More kinds, for different waters and uses.<br /><br />Takes annual re-apply. <br /><br />Regular cleaning may be as good and won't build up
 

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: antifouling loss of effect

you are correct, some paints need to remain wet to be effective. all i can say is read the manufacturer's directions and follow. as for type, spend the extra money (approx $150/gal) and get an ablative paint. also called self-polishing, it slowly wears off and doesn't chip. requires no sanding between annual coats, and eliminates ugly build-up. interlux micron csc is the type i just used. prep is key, usually need a very clean surface that has been sanded. paint can be applied with brush or roller, just keep it off yourself. if you use a good ablative paint, you should be able to haul, powerwash, and put one new coat on each year. depending on wear, you may be able to skip a year.<br /><br />and most importantly, DO NOT USE DOLPHINITE. check my previous posts to understand. good luck-
 

Kesh

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
272
Re: antifouling loss of effect

if it needs to remain wet, will I waste my money if the boat is going to be must of the time on the ground?
 

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: antifouling loss of effect

i think you answered your own question- yes, if it needs to stay wet, you probably don't want it. i'd check out the interlux i mentioned. real good paint with a strong reputation. one quart (approx $50) put a nice thick coat on my 20' center console.
 

snapperbait

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
5,754
Re: antifouling loss of effect

Might also want to look at Pettit's Horizons bottom paint... It's an ablative that can be used on trailerd or rack stored boats... It can stay out of the water indefinately without the loss of anitfouling effect...
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: antifouling loss of effect

Kesh - Make real sure that you want to do this as it is real difficult to remove. Also before applying the hull must be sanded to get the paint to adhere well. This means that should you ever want to remove it you will not be able to get back to the original gel coat shine.<br /><br />Most of the anti fouling paints work by "bleeding" some of the chenicals in the paint and the boat needs to be in the water for this to be effective.<br /><br />As you can tell I am not a fan of the stuff in your situation. The guy who had my boat before me painted mine before I got it so I had no choice. I wish that he had not.
 

Kesh

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
272
Re: antifouling loss of effect

Thank you all for the input on this. I really hate that if the boat stays at home for 2 or 3 days, marine growth will start. It offsets the benefits of having it near home and creates a another concern in my mind that I really don't need. I will favor having a black bottom hull instead of a nice white surface that can not stay in the water for a few days. The hull of the tai-tai is not that shiny anymore, so I think there is not to much to lose. I will research the brands you have mentioned, to see if they are available here in the emerging third world. <br /><br />Another silly question: If I decide to do it myself, how the hell can I paint the area where the ground supports touch the hull ? (3 points)
 
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