FLAG CRUISING - DOES IT WORK?
 

Well, yes, it did. At the end of the season there was absolutely no sign of weed growth and only a very slight veil of slime that was so thin it could easily be put down to staining or discolouration from dirty mud. There was the start of barnacle growth beneath and around the bottom of the rudder, but it's only fair to say that this area takes a great deal of abrasion when the boat takes the ground in thick mud and would need a 'hard' rather than this 'eroding' type of antifouling to cope.

I cleaned along the waterline a couple of times during the season to remove green slime from the antifouling and brown stains from the gel coat, but this is normal with all antifouling. It is important to stress that this has not been a scientific test under controlled lab conditions, but a practical trial on a working boat. It is possible that the lack of weed growth might be attributed to the fact that the boat has been on the move a great deal and has sailed several different cruising grounds where conditions for growth may differ widely. I can only say that on my boat, with my style of cruising over a six month season, the product seems to have worked very well.  I found this Flag Cruiser self-polishing, eroding antifouling to be perhaps a little more prone to wear than some others. Certainly where the strops encompassed the hull, when the boat was lifted out, there is now a distinct lack of coating. I feel certain that the slight barnacle growth around the bottom of the rudder is a direct result of the boat's regular grounding and settling into mud. This has, quite naturally, worn away the coating. Philip Dunn

Contact C W Wastnage (FLAG Paints Ltd) 01621 785173

Email sales@flagfinishes.co.uk

Website www.flagfinishes.co.uk

Sailing Today Verdict
I would use this again. The price is sensible and the product worthwhile

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May 2004 Sailing Today 85