The duration of an antifouling is, first of all, due to the correct choice of the type of product suitable for the type of boat and its use. For example, if you have a fast open, choose one designed to withstand the type of stress that can generate a fast hull and almost always on the glide. If you have a displacement trawler, a paint designed for slow boats will be more suitable for you. If you have any doubts about the most suitable product for you, discover all the secrets of the new antifouling.
Does the antifouling not last long? Prolong its effectiveness
The useful life of a product that prevents or reduces the proliferation of algae, plants, and animals on the hull, is also linked to the environmental conditions in which it operates. In particularly aggressive seas or areas, where there is a high concentration of microorganisms that give rise to “dirt”, barnacles, algae, whales (dog teeth), etc., the level of sea pollution can inhibit the proper functioning of the antifouling.
This happens because the paint that has the task of keeping the hull as clean as possible “works” by absorbing water inside it. If the latter is replaced by diesel fuel or another pollutant, we lose the correct functionality of the product.
How to extend the duration of the antifouling
The durability of an antifouling depends on the correct thickness applied. This thickness is evaluated during the development phase of the product itself and is indicated in the relevant technical datasheet. Applying lower thicknesses means not giving sufficient protection so that the hull remains smooth and clean for a long time.
This does not mean, however, that it is possible to indiscriminately apply thicknesses greater than those required to improve the performance of the antifouling, as it could run into problems of a physical nature such as the increase in weight of the cycle (this is the technical name of the product applied: cycle), the risk of detachment in the pre-existing cycle, especially if you do not have a “historical” of previous applications. The thickness indicated on the technical datasheet is the right balance between performance and chemical nature of the product.
