New Boat Antifouling - Thoughts?

[skip]

Hi Guys,

Was just having a think about antifouling on a new boat, and went over to International's website to have a look at what they recommend. If you buy a new boat you generally want to invest in anti-osmosis protection and I believe one of the leading recommendations is GelShield 200. Trouble is you need to apply 5 coats and this stuff doesn't come cheap.

A typical 18 foot boat will require a total paint area of around 14m² which means Qty 4 of the 2.5 litre Gelshield 200 packs. International recommend you use their two colours, green and grey and start and finish with grey, the different colours ensuring your are applying it evenly.

You can then go straight to your chosen anti-fouling, I'm looking at International Interspeed Ultra as it's a hard wearing antifouling designed for boats running higher speeds in high fouling areas.

If you don't want osmosis protection you can use Primocon, which is just over half the price of Gelshield, but then again on a new boat you want to protect your investment.

Anyone have any thoughts/experience with this?

Skip

[shanook]

O did mine. I had a different make done on mine but after 5 years i sand blasted it and started the process with International Marine. I am happy with the product. I even use international antifouling.
I think its a good investment on a boat. I highly recommend it.

[skip]

It's surprising how all the little bits add up even on a smaller boat!! Good to know shanook, we were using Intl Micron 66 on my dads boat and overall it works very very well, it was always the outdrives that suffered.

I'm thinking of buying an outboard prop lock and then leaving the outboard out the water to avoid having to antifoul it and protect the prop as was reading on a site that's why they dont advise you leave your outboard out the water as it makes it easier to pinch the prop!

[shanook]

Yep props have been the main object of theft lately. Mind u my friend has two inboard engines and imagine his surprise when he started the boat let go of the mooring line and didnt move at all when he engaged the engines.... somebody had stolen his propellers during the night... crazy isnt it. Oh well. Yep better to use a prop lock it helps.

[busumark]

skip another drawback of keeping the motor tilted up is that the other boats when passing can go in it especialy if there isnt a good space between moored boats

[skip]

That's a fair point, though then again I suppose that's what insurance is for !! With the aggressive fouling we have in Malta, I think it's a risk worth taking, though as you say very much depends on where you are moored.

[The_Gaffer]

Its always in the best interest to apply a a water barrier/anti osmosis treatment to your boat.  I personally went for West System, a bit more expensive then Intln, but thats what I used.  As for antifouling, the best I've used (and still use to this day) is Juton...and I've tried them all.  One very good product on the market at the moment is that produced by Wurth.  I've heard very good reviews about it, even for outdrives.  I use the black colour for sies and stern.  Below the waterline I use Juton. 

[skip]

Interesting info Gaffer. Which Jotun one are you using, the SeaQuantum?

And with the West system how many coats do you have to give it? I believe you then have to use the antifouling manufactuers primer first before the top coat. Whereas with international you can go straight from Gelshield to AF top coat.

Also wondering the best way of determining the water line. Would it be somthing as simple as putting the boat in the water with a typical resting load and then marking the water line?

[The_Gaffer]

Interesting info Gaffer. Which Jotun one are you using, the SeaQuantum?

And with the West system how many coats do you have to give it? I believe you then have to use the antifouling manufactuers primer first before the top coat. Whereas with international you can go straight from Gelshield to AF top coat.

Also wondering the best way of determining the water line. Would it be somthing as simple as putting the boat in the water with a typical resting load and then marking the water line?

The Juton I use is particular...its red!!...hmmm, I'll let you know which one I use later on. 
With west system you have to apply 6 coats in the same day.  You apply each coat as soon as the one applied becomes tacky.  This ensures max adhiesion. 
Best way to determine waterline is either by observing similar boats, or floating the boat in the water and marking out a line about 1 inch above the actual waterline

[skip]

Just to update you all on costs! ouch

Gelshield 200 - Green / Grey @ E 99.11 / 2.5 litres
Interspeed Ultra - Dover White @ E 129.75 / 2.5 litres & @ E 41.30 / 750 mls 
Supercleaner @ E 11.81 / 500 mls

So for an 18 foot boat you'd be looking at : Euro 580 including 2 coats anti-fouling

[shanook]

leave the baot in the water for a week and the waterline is done for u. 

[benri]

Wow Skip.. quite an expense especially when considering it's a new boat and hasn't touched the water yet! I wonder why certain stuff is not included in the price even though then, you wouldn't bet on what material/brand has been used! so in conclusion it's best to do yourself I guess. Then there are registration expenses, moorings etc., etc... I tend to agree with Shanook for the waterline and I think it would then be best to mark the line/mask with electrical tape instead of using masking tape for a job well done.

[skip]

Yep expenses, expenses, expenses! It all adds up to quite alot beyond the initial purchase price. It's quite useful to bear this all in mind when looking at second hand boats and factor in that most of this has already been done for you. Although as you rightly point out you won't know what kind of job has been done and material used!

I like the suggestion of leaving the boat in the water for a week to get an idea of the waterline and reckon that's something I'm going to do.

Thanks

[bahri]

Hello All

Is there a local company who offers the service of applying the antifouling to boats?

I have a Bahri which must be 10years old and never spent a season in the water.

thanks

[shanook]

bahri if your boat is still on gel coat than its not just anti fouling that u need to do but a water proof barrier first.