THE BIG ANTIFOULING TEST

Keeping your craft free of fouling is not just for appearance’s sake because even a small amount of weed and barnacles can make a substantial difference to its performance, and more importantly, its fuel efficiency. However, as environmental regulations tighten on the level of biocides allowed in antifouling paints as well as the rules regarding application and removal, the industry is having to look for new solutions to keep the critters at bay.

Foul-release coatings using silicone and nanoparticles to prevent fouling getting a secure grip on the hull are an increasingly common sight on commercial vessels, but how well do they work on less intensively used leisure boats and how do they compare with each other and more conventional copper-based coatings?