Ultrasonic antifoul - discuss

Steve_B · 01 March 2011, 09:20

Does anyone have any experience with these new systems. I would like to give it a go as we have plenty of power available, but dont want to spend £800+ on new "snake oil".
Steve

Erin · 01 March 2011, 13:07

I think PBO tested one of the systems a year or so ago. I looked into them seriously as well, but on a swinging mooring the power supply was an issue. I don't think they are entirely effective, but if you really don't want to antifoul and don't mind an occasional haul out and pressure wash then they may be ok.

Channel Ribs · 01 March 2011, 17:30

I type this with gritted teeth, but have a look at YBW as they have discussed it in several lengthy threads.

BassBoy · 01 March 2011, 18:28

I installed a single transducer unit from 'Dave in Poole', 3 years ago, on the Mother Ship.
11m, marina berthed (shore power), racer/cruiser. (yes, that's a SAILING BOAT!)

The verdict......it helps but does not remove the need for antifouling. Albeit, I now spray only one thin coat of Nautix A4 TSpeed every year. It will have paid for itself by next year!!!

Dave couldn't really answer my questions on de-lamination, dead fish, stranded dolphins and brain tumours, but I gave it a go anyway.

Good luck

BassBoy · 03 March 2011, 19:15

Seems like I'm the kiss of death to a thread!
Maybe the word 'sailing' does it, or maybe it's me?

How are you getting on with your research Steve?

willk · 03 March 2011, 19:43

If you have to ask t'Internet if it works, it's Snake Oil. If it worked, it would be well known by now and you wouldn't have to ask.

Questions you will NOT see on Forums:
Does ABS in cars actually work?
Do PLB's really send help?
Does expensive, ugly, boat devaluing, sweat inducing Anti-fouling actually work?
'Cos you KNOW they do.

Questions you WILL see on forums:
Does Ultrasonic Anti-fouling work?
Does Ultrasonic Pest Control work?
Does this explosive divining rod/sensor work?
Does this magnet bracelet keep me healthy?
Does this copper (common as shit element) bracelet keep me healthy?
Does this conducting strip on my Astra bumper prevent car sickness?
Does this magnetic gizmo on my oil line to the C/H really make the oil molecules burn more efficiently? (srsly guys, c'mon!)
Does this "220V voltage regulator" really save me 5% off my bills?

All of these have two things in common, they function "invisibly" and the buyers WANTS them to work. I smell a placebo effect.

Sorry if I sound like a cynical old bastard. I am

Erin · 04 March 2011, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Sorry if I sound like a cynical old bastard. I am

You're just trying to hide from the fact that you've been victim of all of the scams at some point and learnt the hard way

Steve_B · 04 March 2011, 11:50

Wilk, once again you seem to hit it on the head every time and bring a smile to our faces.

Plan B it is then, I already have a garage full of snake oil

Searider · 07 March 2011, 23:09

A customer of mine has managed to find a self assembly kit of parts for "ultrasonic antifouling" for less than £100, sourced from Australia.

At that price he reckoned it was worth a try.

It might keep a few barnacles away.

kubcat · 15 March 2011, 04:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

A customer of mine has managed to find a self assembly kit of parts for "ultrasonic antifouling" for less than £100, sourced from Australia.

At that price he reckoned it was worth a try.

It might keep a few barnacles away.

www.jaycar.com.au has them mail order from Australia. Not sure of the price.

They look pretty much the same as the commercial ones I saw at the Sydney Boat Show but I still don't want to be the guinea pig. I don't know anyone personally using it in Sydney so I will wait.

martini · 15 March 2011, 15:14

As MII is now afloat 24/7 I need to do something to keep the weed off, I've pretty much decided on Coppercoat, GJ0KYZ on here has it and it's almost maintenence free.

Not cheap to apply but it's fit and forget, a quick powerwash once or twice a year and that's it

Channel Ribs · 15 March 2011, 15:32

Coppercoat does not have to be expensive. Anyway, it was good enough for Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson

willk · 15 March 2011, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Anyway, it was good enough for Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson

Well, it certainly caused him no 'arm 'aving it...

Channel Ribs · 15 March 2011, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Well, it certainly caused him no 'arm 'aving it...

Eye see no limpets!

Channel Ribs · 15 March 2011, 20:55

Stealing Martiniii's thought process here: If you could keep the hull in the shade then there is no need for antifouling as the wee beasties like a bit of diffused light.

Problem is, how do you keep the fouling off the thing that is keeping the sunlight away from your hull??

willk · 15 March 2011, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Eye see no limpets!

Blind Faith I reckon, or maybe he was just in de Nile...

willk · 15 March 2011, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Stealing Martiniii's thought process here: If you could keep the hull in the shade then there is no need for antifouling as the wee beasties like a bit of diffused light.

Tut tut! For a man who can recognise a coraline alga/maerl, you have a poor grasp of marine organism Settlement...

Algae will settle and grow anywhere, but light is necessary for growth. The other fouling organisms are animals and will settle and grow anywhere. That includes Bryozoans, limpets, barnicles, mussels, sponges etc. A lad I knew used to dive in the cooling water intakes of power plants, his job was to haul out the critters that were restricting the flow of water in the tunnels. Nice work - not. Marine engines suffer from this too.

Channel Ribs · 16 March 2011, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Tut tut! For a man who can recognise a coraline alga/maerl, you have a poor grasp of marine organism Settlement...

Algae will settle and grow anywhere, but light is necessary for growth. The other fouling organisms are animals and will settle and grow anywhere. That includes Bryozoans, limpets, barnicles, mussels, sponges etc.

This from a man who classifies all birds as duck!

Limpets wont settle where they cannot then slide out to munch on algae, before returning back to the same resting place. If you knock one off and don't put it back in the same place it really spoils their day!

Anyway, the biology of it is beside the point. Boats will hulls in shaded water suffer less fouling.

willk · 16 March 2011, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

This from a man who classifies all birds as duck!

You forgot the other sort - Penguins!

Channel Ribs · 16 March 2011, 15:55

Captive limpets, more effective than ultrasonic antifoul. Fact.