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SERVICES
We also cover: Marine electronics GRP Repairs ANTIFOULING JOBS 
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Why try to Prevent Antifouling Growth?
Heavy fouling growth reduces responsiveness of the craft as well as making it sit lower in the water. This can have serious implications in challenging weather conditions. Prolonged fouling growth will damage the substrate of the hull. For example, the natural glues organisms use to attach to the hull damage wood and fiberglass. Fouling causes drag, which slows you down and increases fuel costs? Animal fouling, such as barnacles, release millions of microscopic barnacle larvae into the water. These larvae need to attach to a static object to allow them to feed. Most boats remain static for 90% of their time afloat, and offer perfect feeding grounds for all types of fouling. Static objects attract common seaweeds, many of which will simply fall off as the hull travels through the water. However, some, such as Brown Weed, are more resilient and can withstand high speeds through the water. Slime is another major form of fouling. Slime is caused by billions of single celled algae which produce a syrupy medium in which to settle. Once established they provide settling ground for more algae, so coatings of slime can grow quite thickly as they are not detached as they move through the water. |
In contrast to other types of finishes where beauty and cosmetics are as equally important as protection of the surface, antifouling paints are required first and foremost to protect the boat bottom from attachment of fouling organisms present in marine and freshwater. Any solid surface, including boat bottoms, is a potential home for fouling of all kinds. Most antifouling paints contain copper compounds as the active ingredient in preventing fouling attachment. Recently, several additions have been approved for use in antifouling paints in combination with copper, boosting the paints efficiency. These new paints are currently awaiting EPA approval. For aluminum surfaces, copper-containing paints are not recommended since the copper compounds will cause galvanic corrosion of the aluminum. Therefore for these surfaces, tin-containing antifouling paints are still available. The difference between most antifouling paints is not the active ingredient, or toxicant, rather it is in the method in which the active ingredient is delivered. If you need your boat Antifouled Please contact us. We can also arrange lifting and delivery of your vessel to and from the berth, please give at least two months Notice. |
| Quayside Marine |
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Phone: +44 (0) 1803 219215 Mobile: 07966 426917 E-mail: sales@quaysidemarine.co.uk |
30 years servicing the boat market |
Main Office, Beacon Quay, Torquay, Devon TQ1 2BG |
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