Beating the barnacles

Last April YM painted a 10m yacht with 12 different eroding antifoulings. She spent the season cruising West Country waters from a swinging mooring on the River Tamar. Which brands performed best? Which was the barnacle Bill? James Jermain reports

This time of year you see boat owners scanning the paints section of their chandlery, trying to choose a brand of antifouling that will do a better job than the barnacle magnet they applied the previous season. We shared their confusion, and with more brands coming on the market each year, the chances of making a mistake get greater.

To shed some light on the problem, YM selected a range of popular eroding antifoulings that represented all sections of the market, and subjected them to trial by reality for nine months (see YM July 2005 p83). The products range in cost from the premium Awlgrip Gold Label at £94 for 2.5 litres, through mid-range coatings such as Jotun Mare Nostrum to the budget buys from XM and Compass at around £30 for 2.5 litres. We also tried the latest product from International – Cruiser Uno – a one-coat, one season paint.

HOW WE DID IT

The rate of fouling on a hull varies widely from bow to stern, from waterline to keel and even from side to side. Yachts on swinging moorings are not exempt from this either. So my Scanmar 33, Sweet Lucy, for the second time in her life, sported a fetching patchwork of bottom paints. Each product was applied in six strips, including one at the bow and stern on each side and one at the top and bottom of the keel. The extremities of the bow and stern were left unpainted, exposing last year’s antifouling, Blakes Cruising Performer. Each strip was separated by a 3cm-wide control strip. Each product was therefore exposed to as near as possible the same conditions.

The coatings were applied on an overcast day in April with the air temperature a degree or two above the recommended minimum level. The atmosphere was damp but rain, which threatened all day, held off while we were doing the painting. Each paint was applied with a new roller and paint tray according to the manufacturers instructions on the tin. All were given two coats (except for International Uno) and were applied just over the recommended minimum time apart. Sweet Lucy was launched the following day.

Yachting Monthly Value for Money buy: FLAG FLAGship

Overall * * * *

Application rating: * * * Medium density, good obliteration and moderate coat build-up.

Performance rating: Protected well against slime on the body of the boat but a slight weed fringe and a very few barnacles on the port bow knocked this product off the top rung.
Colours: Steel White, Red, Dark Blue, Black
Sizes: 2.5 litres
Contact: FLAG Paints Tel: 01621 785173
Website: www.flagfinishes.co.uk

Yachting Monthly March 2006