DIY anti fouling

[Miker]

As a comparison, Careel Bay Marina in Pittwater charged $1,050 inc GST for slip clean and antifoul using International. This was the same price as this time in 2010, which is a nice bonus. On top of the antifoul, they installed a new light and wind indicator on the mast head, took out and filled one small blister on the keel that was weeping and replaced a broken winch base on the port side Arco 8. I supplied the wind indicator and light, and the rest was another $650 all up inc GST. Not bad really, considering the labour of climbing the mast etc. They also pick up and deliver within a radius at no charge.

They will, with permission, let you check your hull out in the company of one of their personnel.

I usually go about 12 months, but as some of the Regatta goers will attest, this is a little longer than I should go. It all depends on how much you use it, and where you're moored. Careel Bay is pretty clean, but no one there goes more than about 14 months. Gladesville, where we used to be moored was much less time between slips.

For me, it's much quicker and easier to have someone else do the work. It's really hard for me to get a weekend totally free, and there are few places left in Pittwater that will rent you a slip and stand for very long. When I retire of course, I'll be doing it all myself

Michael

[8philip8]

hi Michael
I'm totally agreed with you,
it's better let the pros to do the job ( may be not as good as the owner would do)
DIY may save some money,
but taking a day off without pay ( self emploied) & the aching body for 3-4 days
it isn't big saving at all.
BUT at lease one would get to know what is going on under the water line
cheers
8philip8

[Killick69]

Night Cap needs to be antifouled. but there are other priorities and also $ to consider. What aare the consequences (other than visual, slow speed thru the water, organisms gorwing on hull) of not anti-fouling. Is any damage caused by not A-Fing? Guess it does make the job bigger later. Will do a swim and scape sometime, hopefully soon.

[Miker]

Killick, from my point of view, it's not too bad to leave it for a few months longer, but when the crud gets to be 3 inches thick, it's a bigger job and will cost more in time and labour to remove it all.

Scraping underwater has it's risks as well, apart from the shark danger, there is also the fact that the antifoul that is coming off when you scrape is getting in your skin and hair, and that can't be good. Plus, once you scrape off what's there, it encourages more growth because the antifoul is thinner, and perhaps bare in places. Still, if there is no money, or money needs to be spent elsewhere.... it's a hard call.

I have motorcycles as well, and some people ask about cheaper oil or cheaper brake pads. My answer is always the same. "It's not prudent to try to save a small amount of money in the short term if it's going to be a) dangerous or b) more expensive to correct. Fancy spending $10k on a motorcycle, then trying to save a tenner on cheap oil then having to re-build the engine 12 months later."

There's tuppence for you

[Allen]

Many thanks for your replies.
I'm trying to find out what the cost of hardstand or slipway will be at Mackays at San Souci, on the website it mentions a discount for BBYC members so it might be time to join.

Hopefully over the weekend I'll get to give her a going over with a stiff broom.

And I might try and clean the hull as well.

cheers
Allen

[8philip8]

Sylph's getting the bottom clean & painted, wireless speed/depth plus triducer fitted,
also new anode.

[John McLachlan]

I've always used coppercoat and more recently Bottomkote antifouling. Have had up to 18 months (I know I'm slack) use without a great buildup. Why pay someone else to antifoul your boat? Most slipways will insist on doing the pressure cleaning and the you can do the rest yourself. If the antifoul buildup isn't to bad a light sand should get you started. Then just mask the waterline (20 minutes tops) and apply antifoul. If it takes more than 1 1/2 hours you're not trying. As long as the weather holds should do easy in a weekend. While you're waiting for the paint to dry you can polish the topsides if needed. As for people asking questions, I love to have people come around and have a chat, you can always talk to them while you're applying the antifouling, and who knows you may learn something from them. Often the people that want to talk to you are boat people and not just tyre kickers. I've spoken to a number of people on the slips who were more knowledgeable than me. You never know you might just learn something. Current cost of Bottomkote at Whitworths is About $130 for 4 litres, enough for 2 coats.