Coppercoat application to a RIB - a report

[willk]

Originally Posted by Ribster

The reason I ask is because I need to replace the Keel Guard on my rib and I am trying to work out how to do it.

A strap through the bow eye (protect the tubes from pinching) and two straps through the transom eyes. I had my keelguard done at the same time - it had been rubbing off the "spare" roller brackets on the trailer

[willk]

We hauled her out for her mid-season checkout this weekend (22 July) - after being in the water for 11 weeks:

Coppercoat on hull - not a speck of growth and almost no slime.

Brush-on Trilux 33 (hull fittings & keelband) - Mostly clean - the very odd barnacle in corners

Aerosol Trilux 33 (on drive) - moderate barnacle growth in places where the coating was probably thinner - some light weed attached to small dead barnacles. Repainting.

Anodes - well down, replacing where required.

So full marks to Coppercoat so far. The second half of our "in water" season is worse for fouling as the water temp peaks in August. It will be interesting to see how she is in another 10 weeks.

[Poly]

Are u suggesting faster rate of anode "erosion" than without Cu coat?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

Are u suggesting faster rate of anode "erosion" than without Cu coat?

No - just as it was before. I know how you like ALL the data in a report...

[willk]

Originally Posted by willk

I know how you like ALL the data in a report...

I said that I would update the thread with final figures for overall performance in regard to speed.

Relaunching after the midseason wash and brush we were reasonably light - probably 200L of fuel and two up, no klatch. Tide and wind were running together with a light chop so we got an average of two passes (up/down)coming in at 41.5Kts. Her fastest time previously was 42kts and there may have been a hint of downhill in that. The revs were 100rpm over recommended max so the big 28" Bravos are still about right for a full boat.

I'll sign off on this subject for this season - maybe return to it in a year or so to update the info on the antifouling properties. I should mention that I haven't burnished the coppercoat yet - without any apparent ill effect. A trick to keep up my sleeve for again I suppose...

[willk]

Just a final note to say that she was recovered on 30 September 2016. The hull was immaculate and she was still clearing 41kts - definitely a win for Coppercoat.