Antifoul tips for boat owners

Choosing the right antifouling coating for your boat depends on a large number of factors including how you use the boat and where it is moored, says Brent Wilson of Marsden Cove Marina. He says it’s important to talk to specialists about what you need because a product that works well on a boat in one location may not work well on the same boat in a different part of the coast.

He recommends talking to specialist paint stores over chandleries because they have the expertise about their product ranges and are in the best position to give you the best advice. He also recommends getting personal advice by chatting with other boat owners in your vicinity about what is working well for them. Once you’ve made a decision, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Brent says preparation is always key and while it’s an unpleasant chore, removing the old antifoul completely is necessary to get long life from your new coat. And if the product recommended by a specialist doesn’t work and growth appears quickly, you are likely to have comeback under consumer protection laws too.

If you are doing your own antifoul preparation or application, please be aware of safety requirements. Please follow Environmental Protection Authority guidelines which you can find here.

This is Part 3 in our special antifoul series. The information expressed in this article is the opinion of those interviewed and not necessarily that of ‘Clean Below? Good to Go’. Please seek expert advice when choosing and applying an antifoul coating.