Progressive Anti-Fouling

[FraidNot]

Ok, I've now have my first yacht for 2 months. After swimming under and around it a bit, I'm thinking - hmm - why not do a bit a scraping off that gunge.

Is there a good way to do this without rubbing away the anti-foul??

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by FraidNot

Ok, I've now have my first yacht for 2 months. After swimming under and around it a bit, I'm thinking - hmm - why not do a bit a scraping off that gunge.

Is there a good way to do this without rubbing away the anti-foul??

Depends whether it is an erodible or hard system.

Some of the erodible will be removed even if you wipe over with a cloth. But that would be the same as a hard day's sailing against the wind. Scrubbing is a nono unless there is no other choice.

Hard coat is designed for scrubbing.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Talbot

Depends whether it is an erodible or hard system.

Some of the erodible will be removed even if you wipe over with a cloth. But that would be the same as a hard day's sailing against the wind. Scrubbing is a nono unless there is no other choice.

Hard coat is designed for scrubbing.

Don't assume that the fouling conditions and anti fouling paint performance that you experience in Norway are the same for boaters in other parts of the world.

If your boat lives where the fouling conditions are moderate to high, you will absolutely need to clean the bottom, regardless of what kind of anti fouling paint is on the hull. And the more frequently you do it (within reason, of course) the better it will be for your bottom paint, the boat's performance, the environment and your wallet.

Ablative paints are no different than any other kind of paint; they need cleaning too. Frequent, gentle cleanings will not harm the paint. Yes, some ablative paint will come off in the cleaning process and that cannot be avoided. The trick is to not let the bottom become so foul that you can't use the most gentle scubber possible to remove the growth. This is true for any bottom paint, ablative or otherwise. The OP does not say where he lives, but in this country, 3M "Doodlebug" pads are the scrubber of choice for professional hull cleaners. Ideally, you will never need to use anything other than the white colored pad (which is the softest) but how heavily fouled your bottom is, is what will dictate which pad you use.

The rule of thumb is; if you can't see the color of the bottom paint through the fouling, you've waited too long to clean it. Remember- frequent, gentle cleanings will make your paint last longer, improve your boat's performance (both under sail and power) and reduce fuel consumption as well as copper and carbon emissions.

[FraidNot]

"3M "Doodlebug" pads"

great - thanks - exactly what I was after

[Hud3]

I've always had ablative bottom paint.

I use an old cotton sock. Lightly applied.