WHY ANTIFOULING AND WHAT REALLY WORKS
YOUR SEASON YOUR BOAT YOUR NERVES
What nerves do not know that !!!
Every year the antifouling coating must be renewed in sweaty effort by grinding and painting the underwater hull. No one likes these toxic biocides which go through any protective suit on the body. And yet we face this challenge year after year and do it anyway. Are there finally alternatives?
I may answer this answer in advance with yes. But you will discover some possibilities in the following reports.
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WHY ALL THE EFFORT ?
Fouling refers to all the plants (algae) and animals (shells, crustaceans) that attach themselves to the underwater hull of your boat. The result is a destruction of the hull and a higher resistance of the boat in the water.
This inevitably leads to considerable loss of speed and increased fuel consumption. This fact is bad for the wallet, the waters as well as for our climate.
That is why antifouling was invented, a paint that releases toxic substances (biocides) that limit the development of these organisms. However, since 2023 the accumulation of biocides in antifouling has been strongly limited by new EU directives, the market has to look at alternatives.
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WE DIFFERENTIATE THREE TYPES OF ANTIFOULINGS
BIOCIDAL ANTIFOULINGS
The effectiveness of the antifouling depends on the type of biocide. There are basically 4 types of antifoulings containing biocides.
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Industrial silicone antifouling
The industrial silicone hydrogel coating has an effect of 5 to 7 fouling-free years.
It is the most advanced high solids antifouling coating based on ActiGuard® technology, with the additional action of an advanced hydrogel silicone and an efficient biocide to prevent fouling. This strengthens the antifouling barrier and extends the fouling-free time. The super smooth coating surface greatly reduces friction and we have seen an increase in top speed of up to 10%.
The coating can be used on all ships with no speed limit, including slow/ultraslow steaming ships and FPSOs. Also for drives recommended. It is suitable for ships that are operated with long maintenance intervals of up to 90 months and/or very long downtimes of up to 120 days.
Polishing antifouling
Self-polishing antifoulings polish themselves. That sounds strange at first, but it means that the attached fouling is slowly being washed away as you drive. The biocides contained are released throughout the season and thus offer protection against organisms such as slime, algae and animal growth.
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However, the individual layers of antifouling applied to the hull degrade as a result of driving in the water, so that polishing antifouling has to be renewed every year. These antifoulings are only recommended for displacement and sailing boats, as the paint polishes off in the water. It is also annoying to touch the hull when swimming in the water, as it always gives off color that you can sometimes enjoy for a long time.
Hard antifouling
Hard antifouling becomes a hard, sandable and porous surface after painting. The biocides are chemically controlled dispensed throughout the season. Due to the high abrasion resistance, it lasts longer than other underwater paints.
When the biocides are leached out, a porous surface is createdf the hull. Water loungers and boats that have been in the water for more than 30 days should be recoated regularly every year. For boats less than 30 days in the water, it is important that the lower hull is cleaned with a high-pressure cleaner after being craned out and that the lower hull is sanded with sandpaper before being craned in. Otherwise there is a risk that the underwater hull will become porous and you will have to rebuild the entire antifouling.
Thin layer antifouling
All thin-layer antifoulings enriched with Teflon or PTFE, such as VC 17m® from International or Cuppercoat, are supported with a lower proportion of biocides. In contrast to hard or self-polishing antifoulings, the paint does not wear off and is also suitable for fast boats. It is ideal for waters with light vegetation.
These low-friction, thin-layer hard antifoulings are suitable for motor and sailing boats. The special thing is that these boats with these paints during des wateringand Einwasserns require no further treatment, e.g. B. Hard antifoulings. The biocides are chemically bound in the color and only start their activity on contact with water.
BIOCIDE-FREE ANTIFOULINGS
The effectiveness of the biocide-free antifouling depends on the area of application. There are basically 2 types of biocide-free antifoulings. (paints and silicone)
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HULL MAXXTM is a revolutionary, environmentally friendly and dirt-repellent silicone-based product developed by Nasco Worldwide in the UNITED STATES. This product replaces the toxic Antifoulin coats and improves performanceof ships. the paintch is transparent. It can be applied directly to the gelcoat, to aexisting primer layer or applied to hard antifouling. The lifespan is at least 5 years in salt water and in fresh waterwowsser7-8 years. Perfectly suitednetfor trailerable boats, speedboats, new boats, RIBs (rigid inflatable boats), sailing yachts and for coating the waterline to prevent discolouration.
All Nasco products have been used and tested for many years. Applied and tested on products, equipment and structures in the harshest conditions including on the International Space Station, they have proven themselves over many years.
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Advantages:
A 100% non-toxic super smooth coating to prevent fouling of the hull.
Increase in the speed up to 10%
Significant fuel savings
Can be cleaned with a sponge
Disadvantagee:
price, but calculated over 5 years it costs the same as conventional antifouling
Biocide-free thin film coating
In the meantime, some biocide-free antifouling systems have come onto the market, e.g. B. Hempaspeed TF from Hempel, a biocide-free thin film coating with high performance and a patented technology
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The latest technology in Hempaspeed TF combines the best of traditional good thin film coatings with Hempel's patented hydrogel fouling release technology to create a fusion hybrid antifouling that is completely biocide free is suitable for use in all bodies of water (salt and fresh water, as well as lakes and rivers).
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Another system is T-Coat from LeFant, also a biocide-free, very hard and resistant 2K coating with an "easy to clean" effect. These biocide-free antifoulings are available as intensive and less strong self-polishing. This antifouling fools the creatures like .B. smallpox a non-firm surface in front of which they need to settle down. (No solid ground means no food). For all those new Biocid-free However, antifouling paint is required above 9-12 knots depending on hull. That's why these Biocide-free Antifouling paints are only conditionally suitable for sailors.
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Advantages:
No environmental pollution from biocides and leaching of an antifouling coating.
Disadvantages:
Regular underwater hull cleaning is required at least every 4 weeks on average.
The paint must be applied in at least 3-5 layers, for boats that have been in the water for 5-9 months die biocide-free colors dissolve faster than those containing biocides.
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ANTIFOULING FILMS
FINSULATE
The Finsulate® antifouling film provides protection for many years thanks to its special properties. Whether your ship is on the road a lot or has been idle for a long time makes no difference. We will be happy to advise you and explain all the advantages and disadvantages to you with all honest practical experience. Areas of application are rather cold waters and inland waters with few mussels
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All detailed information can be found on
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