When I had my norman 23 surveyed the surveyor suggested that I strip all the old antifoul off before applying new stuff as he hadn't come across the stuff that was on the bottom and didn't know if any new decent antifoul would stick. My question is what to use on the now stipped fibreglass hull. Also does it matter if the antifoul is above the waterline as I don't know where the waterline will be as the boat is sitting on her trailer? Is antifoul affected by sunlight etc?
If you are down to the gelcoat hull i think you will need an antifoul primer before a couple of coats of antifoul. My antifoul comes about a couple of inches above the waterline. Sunlight won't affect it as movement in the boat makes that couple of inches gets plenty of water on it. Suggest find a few pictures of a 23 in water to get a rough guide to the waterline level. Was there not a tide mark on the old antifoul before stripping it off ?
If possible, put her in the water and mark the waterline with with marker pen. Then pull out and paint. If thats not practical, you can always tidy it up next season with a boot top stripe... have a look around the marina, you will get the idea.
Almost any eroding anti foul will be fine. Check your local chandlers and buy what is popular. Even the really cheap stuff is fine for inland waterways. (Screwfix used to do Flag brand at a good price) You will get little more than a bit of green slime and a few zebra muscles over the year (or two) and that will blast (or scrub) of when you next slip it... just do it straight away or you will never shift it.
With some brands of anti foul you have to launch within a certain time frame after painting. Usually within a week or two or its effectiveness can be reduced... check the instructions on the tin.
what antifoul should I use
Posted - 26 Mar 2012 : 21:21:14
