What does antifouling mean?
Antifouling is an act of applying a waterproof layer of paint beneath a boat to safeguard it from the rapid growth of the sub-aquatic creatures. The attachment of these organisms and also marine particles beneath the boat can reduce its performance by slowing it down due to additional weight caused. As such, there is a need to regularly antifoul.
Some organisms tend to attach themselves under the yacht because of the favourable conditions they enjoy on the seawater. They grow at a fast rate, and if not controlled, they can result in drastic effects on your boat. Hence, an antifoul is a special kind of paint that is coated as the last layer at the bottom. With the presence of an antifoul, marine organisms find it difficult to attach themselves on the boat, and hence the ship stays at the top-most performance.
Is it a one-time process?
Not definitely. Antifoul should be applied depending on how often you use the boat. The seawater contains a lot of substances, and the antifoul can only last for a given period before it wears off. Therefore, there is a need to regularly check on the situation beneath the boat and act accordingly.
How do you apply an antifoul?
Antifouling is a process that requires skills and qualified personnel to carry out the dirty work. In Australia, there are skilled people for doing such jobs, and the boat owners always prefer to hire them to do the job for them. Companies have emerged that specialise in antifouling as well as selling of the antifoul reagents.
Can you use ordinary paint as an antifoul?
The answer is NO. Antifoul, unlike the ordinary paint, consists of special paint mixtures like the biocide and copper to minimise the growth of marine creatures beneath the boat. You must, therefore, be careful when selecting an antifoul because some are more resistant than the others. You should liaise with the experts and decide on the best antifoul to use.
Benefits of antifouling your boat
Protection: A ship will face many obstacles and on its way from both living and non-living creatures. Big fish can scratch the vessel with their sharp shells and cause damage to the bottom of the boat. Regular application of an antifoul helps to prevent the vessel from such disasters.
Durability: the antifoul paint is a particular type of paint that is robust and durable. Hence, applying it at the bottom of the boat makes the boat resilient.
Minimises drags: when there is an undergrowth of marine creatures beneath the boat, it becomes so difficult for the boat to navigate on the sea. Antifoul helps to prevent the growth of these organisms and ensures that the ship maintains its weight. Thus, it experiences minimum resistance to its navigation on the sea surface.
Releases biocides: antifoul paint releases biochemical into the water that destroys the marine creatures, which can grow beneath the boat and cause a lot of setbacks, unlike the ordinary paints, which only provides a layer that is easily overcome by marine organisms.
Higher boat performance: with minimum drags by the underneath weight caused by organisms. The boat performs at its maximum level.
Reduces cost: application of antifouling paint onto a boat minimises the costs that would be incurred if the ship would have been damaged by sea organisms. It also helps to save the cost of fuel since the boat performs at its best, and fuel utilisation is at its optimal level.
If you own a boat, you must be willing to take it by whatever means necessary to prevent future expenses that would otherwise occur due to negligence. Regular antifouling is one of those measures.
Find a boat storage facility that offers antifouling service for your boat.