Purchasing a boat is a big investment. It is important that you protect it so that it can give you good value for money. Therefore it is crucial to carry out regular maintenance checks in order to protect the boat. The following are a few things that you need to understand about antifouling and what it is used for.
Antifouling is a process which comprises of applying protective paint to the bottom of the boat so it can be protected from bacteria, algae and Marine growth. The paint is applied to the hull of the ship as well as it’s rudder.
It is one of the most essential parts of the maintenance programs for your boats. Even if you do keep cleaning your boat during the summer, you might still tend to ignore the bottom. Since it is submerged in water, it will be months before you get a chance to clean it properly. As a result of algae and Marine growth is found on the bottom in abundance. Antifouling paint can help get rid of all this and ensure that your boat stays in mint condition.
The anti fouling should be done during the off-season. However, it will also depend on certain other factors such as the location and the usage of the boat. If your boat is on the water for a long period of time, it is necessary to check it’s bottom for any sort of under growth.
The boat needs to be lifted out of the water on regular basis and should be cleaned with a jet wash. Once it is completely clean then the antifoul is applied every year. You can find a variety of antifoul paints available in the market. These comprise of hard paints which is also known as a leaching paint. It contains biocides which are released at intervals through the paint. Unlike any other kind of paint which will not wear of but will slowly lose it’s efficiency. On the other hand, it can clearly help improve the performance of the boat because it can help speed up the vessel by getting rid of the undergrowth.
The next category is of eroding paints which are also known as self polishing paints. It is softer compared to the hard paint and is designed to erode away quickly. This means that there is an active layer of biocides which is constantly present on the surface of the boat thus providing a consistent performance through out the season and it can also get rid of long term build up of the paint on the boat.
The last type of paint which is available in the market comprise of copper based paint. These are usually applied to boats which are expensive and it can also last for a long time sometimes up to a decade. A copper paint comprises of copper particles which are suspended in the coating. Also it is one of the best environmentally friendly antifouling paint available in the market. Make sure that you the best antifouling Gold Coast can offer that is in accordance with your specific requirements.