Boat Hull After Antifouling – ProStrip

• We know how important the maintenance of antifouling a boat is. 
• Our ProStrip Sandblasting team holds more than 10 years of experience in antifouling boats and are qualified in their field. 
• We pride ourselves in providing clients premier boat antifouling solutions by investing in the most environmentally-friendly, durable and high-performance antifouling paints and equipment on the market.
  
• We also possess one of Melbourne’s widest ranges of boat antifouling paints, which we select based on the water conditions and environment your boat is exposed to, and the usage of your boat and the purpose/s for which it is used.
• Our boat antifouling solutions are cost efficient – get in touch for a free quote to find out the cost of antifouling a boat. 
• We’ll provide you with a tailored quote which offers you the best plan of action for your vessel. 

Get in touch with us for a free quote today!

What is antifouling a boat?

Antifouling is when a specialised paint coating is applied to the outer layer of the hull of a ship, yacht or boat. 

These specialised paint coatings are underwater hull paints, also known as ‘bottom paints’, which typically slow down the growth of or remove marine organisms. 

These natural marine organisms or ‘biofouling’ are long known to have a noticeable impact on a marine vessel’s durability and performance.

This is why maintenance of your boat antifouling coating is important to extend its lifespan and ensure optimal functioning.

Boat antifouling paint generally works through a biocide. A biocide is an environmentally harmless chemical substance which biologically destroy all organisms that are harmful to a boat. 

Currently, the most common biocide used as an active ingredient in antifouling paint is copper. 

However, new non-biocide products have been seen emerging to fight biofouling and reduce any possible toxic effect biocides may have on marine life.

Antifouling coatings are just one out of many coatings that are applied to boats for long-term preservation. 

Additional coatings which may be applied include those that act as a protection against corrosion on metal hulls or improve water flow for high-performance boats.

Unless parked on dry land, boat hulls are often exposed to barnacles, algae, weeds and other marine microorganisms. This is called ‘fouling’. 

The growth of marine life has a tremendous impact on the performance of boats if antifouling is not completed:

• Marine growth can perforate the hull.
• Harmful marine organisms can be transported to other locations.
• Decreases the boat’s maximum speed.
• Hinders a boat’s upwind sail. 

Antifouling has therefore been developed to impede the growth of barnacles, algae, shipworms and any other marine organisms. Antifouling paint also offers an array of other benefits, including:

• Decreases the risk of transferring harmful marine organisms to other water locations.
• Increases the lifespan and durability of a boat.
• Lowers fuel consumption.
• Retains the maximum speed of a boat.

There are different types of boat antifouling paint which are used for different purposes.

Soft or ablative antifouling paints

Soft paints, also known as ‘ablative’ paints or ‘eroding antifoulings’, slowly ablates (wears-off) a copper or zinc biocide into seawater to reveal a fresh layer of biocide and deter a wide range of fouling marine organisms. Soft paints are generally used on recreational boats that are frequently used. 

As ablative boat antifouling paints are low maintenance – they accumulate old paint on the hull after each season less often than hard paints – they should only be reapplied every 1 to 3 years. 

Self-Polishing Copolymer (SPC) antifoulings is a type of ablative antifouling, with ‘self-polishing’ meaning that the paint firm becomes smoother over time. They have a more controlled release of biocide and level of erosion. SPC coatings are generally used on larger marine vessels.

Hard antifouling paint

Hard paints, also known as ‘non-sloughing paints’, come in many types. 

Contact leaching paints create a sponge-like surface finish and biocides are held in the pores where they release slowly. 

Teflon and silicone paints are too slippery for the growth of marine organisms to stick. 

SealCoat systems are dry with fibres on the surface coating, which move in water to prevent marine organisms from clinging to the hull. 

Hard boat antifouling paints are generally used on infrequently used boats, racing vessels, or ships and boats that encounter many bumps or scrapes. Hard epoxy paints are preferred for inactive boats that never touch land, to keep algae away.

Boat antifouling maintenance can be a hassle but not all coatings have the same lifespan or will be exposed to the same environmental conditions. 

Antifoul applications can last between 12 to 18 months without you having to reapply. 

Some boast antifouling paints can even protect a marine vessel for up to 5 years and others, for a lifetime.

Circumstances under which a certain amount of boat antifouling coatings should be applied

1 coat:

• If your boat requires antifouling every year.

2 coats:

• If the boat is kept afloat for only a few weeks.
• If local fouling conditions are very weak.
• If it’s been a few years since you’ve last antifouled the hull.

3 coats:

• Around the waterline.
• Around the edges of the rudder.
• Around the keel of sailing boats.