Antifoul performance can be affected by a lot of factors.
And any one type of antifoul can be affected in subtle ways by these same
groups of factors.
The reality is that as human habitation encroaches along
natural coastlines the foreshore is being physically modified and polluted. And
the natural habitats of indigenous species are impacted by these changes
including the introduction of non-indigenous species brought in by ocean
currents, international shipping, and recreational vessels.
To understand how antifoul performs differently over the
variety of different ecological environments, we need to understand how the
biodiversity is existing in each environment.
Having natural coastlines modified to include wharves,
docks, marinas, and sea walls including land reclamation and the introduction
of building materials reduces the natural environment for many species.
Industry, Urban sprawl city development and areas with direct marine activity
are usually associated with substantial pollution from wastewater. Agricultural runoff produces excessive
inorganic nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus into these streams and rivers.
These nutrients end up feeding the short-lived algae
blooms from Whence the after effect of decomposition of these microorganisms
consume all the oxygen suspended within the water column, this lack of oxygen
subsequently suffocates the local communities creating dead zones devasting
estuaries and waterways leading to the ocean prolificating the existence of
only the ultra-hardy.
Marinas with human
waste, oil, and fuel leaks, antifoul leeching into the water column Create
their own localized dead zones Especially those where constant dredging stirs
up years of built-up contamination of heavy metals which have leeched from
antifoul coatings which are then washed down the channels into the habour
creating more than an effect on the local ecosystems.
This mix of contaminants, metals, tannins, nutrients,
algae blooms, create a sticky blend that adheres to everything. Hulls and decks
above the antifoul line, presenting as a yellow stain. Once this adhesive layer
takes hold looking like slime it starts to filter and collect more particles
from the water column developing into a mixture of living microorganisms silt
mud and algae that feed newer larger pupae.
The fact is even as we try to co-exist with our natural
environments, we cannot help but add contamination to an already fragile
ecosystem.
To control how nature is
responding to us encroaching on them, we double down by adding further
biocides, pesticides, and other contaminants into the waters just to keep our
boat hulls clean.
This is where we look at the environment, the eco system
we are putting our boats in. What can we expect from this area?
Are we floating above Mud in a marina? How contaminated is
that mud from antifoul leeching? What is the mud made up of? What biodiversity
can that mud support? What else is nearby that can maintain a healthier eco
system? Mangroves, estuaries, habour, water flows? or vertical concrete walls,
wooden piles, rock walls? is it in a tidal river? Is there industry along the
river? Is it a tidal estuary, an inland tidal habour? It could be a marina at
the end of an inland habour, or a marina centered amongst central city. A
marina in open water, or a marina that is affected by an open ocean flow that
sends warm water from the tropics carrying all manner of biodiversity like an
ocean highway.
To choose an
Antifoul type that will cover all these factors can feel a little like a
lottery. As the owner operator of https://www.aucklandmarineboatvalet.co.nz/antifouling/ - Auckland Marine Boat Valet It has been my
experience that soft antifoul self polishes and sheds itself losing settlement
foul or other foul that attaches in a more mechanical way like weed algae,
barnacles, muscles, or oysters. Soft antifoul will let it go. What we call a
foul release. If you rub on the surface of the softer ablative antifoul it will
release a cloud of paint revealing a fresher surface below. It should be
expected that less will remain on the boat at the end of the season. After a
while, this buildup can become unstable requiring complete removal and starting
again. This process is necessary for all types of antifouls.
Semi soft is my preference as it will give you a longer
duration and still offer up that self-polishing aspect.
Harder Antifouls
are designed for bigger boats that are regularly blasting the hull surface by
the sheer bulk of the vessel moving through the water. Harder antifouls are
also used for planning hulls where the power of the waterflow cleans the hull.
Racing yachts also use the harder antifouls as they can be manually cleaned and
polished by hand using sandpaper or scotch bright scrubbing pads on a more
regular basis before racing.
Anybody who has sanded antifoul will
understand just how much effort is required to wear down Medium to Hard
antifouls. It should be noted at this point that harder antifouls that are not
used very often will become ladened with growth. They rely on the chemicals
suspended within the body of the antifoul to protect the hull in a static
environment. They are reliant on the effect of the water blasting to remove
foul. But in a static situation their performance aspect is not utilized.
Barnacles which start off as a tiny pupa
drifting through the water column often prolificated from mangroves searching
for a habitable space where they can make their home and filter the water for
plankton and other nutrients. They grab hold with their antennae which has a
glue-like substance. The Barnacle secretes the calcium hard plates that
completely encases them. These cones are made up of six nearly fitted plates
that form a circle around the crustacean. Four more plates form the door which
the barnacle can open and close depending on whether it is in a tidal situation
to maintain moisture for survival. When
open the Barnacle extends all six pairs of these feathery like feeding
appendages called cirri, are jointed, and set with feathery hairs which brush
through the water collecting plankton for the barnacles to eat. The legs also
have gills for the exchange of gases. Barnacles excrete a cement like glue
through their antennae onto the surface, they cement themselves onto the
surface and grow as they feed. Barnacles prolificate with other Barnacles who
are nearby, they extend out a tube offer a couple of inches long filled with
sperm that they fertilize a nearby barnacle. Therefore, we see many clustered
together on the boat hulls. This grouping will often restrict the vessels'
ability to get up on the plan, will reduce fuel efficiency and handling. Harder
antifouls with limited ablative effect are unable to unlock the potent
potential held withing the body of the antifoul. Boats moored in fresh water
will often benefit more from http://international-yachtpaint.com/en/au/sup/boat-paint-expert-advice/s-of-antifouling - harder
antifouls as the salt water is what
activates the ablative efficiency.
We are lucky to be living in an era where we are learning
of different methods and products to give us the solution. We are now being
offered Antifoul wraps antifouls with high silicone content, antifouls that are
predominantly copper, antifouls that are technologically advanced. In the right
conditions all of these will work as prescribed. But which one offers an
all-round solution? Cost effectiveness and Durability. My personal preference
is http://altexpaintshop.co.nz/frontend/product.cfm?page=product&productid=2 - Altex no 5
and its slightly harder cousin the http://altexcoatings.com/product-details.php?pid=221 - sea barrier 3000. I find that it self polishes nicely, it has a strong copper
content and an effective acceptable level of biocides and foul retardants that
stops the spread of unwanted biodiversity.
Changing antifoul types requires a primer medium to
guarantee adhesion of renewed antifoul. If we know then we use like for like if
we want to change then we will again use a primer medium to change to a new
antifoul. While we have a preference, we remain respectful and open to friendly
discussions a sharing of experiences with our boating community.
The https://aucklandmarineboatvalet.co.nz/antifouling/ - Antifoul services we offer are competitive and knowledgeable. We will provide the
right solution for boat antifouling and https://www.aucklandmarineboatvalet.co.nz/cut-and-polish/ - polishing
to maintain efficient performance of your boat through the water. We offer good
advice, save you money and time. Boat Antifouling and Antifoul services are
offered in all the main marine centers throughout Auckland. So, when you are
thinking of Auckland antifoul give us a call.
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