by Killick69 » Wed Jul 30, 2014 6:34 pm
I believe rate and extent of fouling is very dependent on location and other factors. It seems the area where Night Cap is moored, namely Parsley Bay on the Hawkesbury is an area where fouling is severe. I was hoping to get 18 months from the last application of Micron Extra, but in reality it was effective for 12 months (and possibly a month or 2 more). It was almost as if there was no/minor fouling, then about the 12th month things changed dramatically. I applied the antifouling correctly, proper prep, stirring the antifoul regularly, even application, 2 coats and a third coat over most of the leading edges, until I started running out of antifoul paint. I have spoke to a few marinas and shipwrights in the general area and they all told me they use Altex no5, because it is the best/best for this area. They by and large mentioned that Micron Extra is more expensive. Perhaps they are $ driven??
I decided to try the Altex and see how the 2 compare and hopefully I will get 15 months out of it. I have tried really hard to ablate the antifoul and most weeks would get to the boat, even if only to motor for half an hour to expose fresh surface. Hope that helps.
Cheers, John