Anti-foul for an aluminium hull.

[Matal Mickey]

I would appreciate any experiences, knowledge, or any kind of advice on what type of anti-foul to use on an aluminium hull. The hull is totally bare and brand new. I intend leaving the boat in the water all year round (hopefully). She will have a cruising speed of approx 28/30 knots. I would also like to ask for any advice, knowledge on the anti-foul colour in relation to light and fouling? Any constructive help or advice from the coal face (as they say) will be most helpful. Thank you.

[jyasaki]

Something without copper, anyway.

A web search for "antifoul +aluminum" should get you some info.

jky

[AndrewH]

I was talking some old guy down the boat yard the other week who swears that the best method is to buy the cheapest anti-foul you can and mix chilli powder in with it. He's says that it gives the anti-foul a reddish colour, but works a dream

Just imagine .... there you are, a soft footed barnicle, just resting down on this nice boat when ... ... flamin' 'eck "Chilli City"

Not tried it my self but he has done for the last 15 years

Just a thought - it might do for you

Andrew

[jyasaki]

Yes, the chili powder thing has been around for a long time.

The key to the OP's question has to do, though, with the fact that the hull is aluminum, rather than fiberglass.

Most bottom paints use copper as the toxic (to marine life) component; copper and aluminum do not play nice together in a marine environment.

Some folks use a barrier coat under the copper antifoul paint, others use a non-copper formula and paint directly onto the aluminum.

I have no idea what's best; I keep my boat on the trailer.

jky

[OceanEco]

Ah chili the old fisherman's tale. Doesn't work as far as I have seen having grown up in a large boat repair yard. Do not use copper paint on aluminuim unless you want a holes in your boat. you need to use a barrier coat before you antifoul. We use Interlux products in our boat yard. First you use Interlux prime wash 353,354 which is a two part primer. Then Interlux underwater metal primer 360R and then Interlux Tri Lux 2 antifoul. It seems like alot of work but it works a treat. We have tried alot of different products and have found this system the best for aluminum.

[Boatcareuk]

You would require a hard antifoul at that speed. For an aluminum hull, I would recommend International Trilux. Trilux is formulated for use on aluminum hulls. As previously mentioned it will need to use a primer. White antifoul is less strong than darker colours because the concentration of one of the biocides is reduced in order to maintain the colour.