I use 2 coats of soft and slip every 18 months, usually only slime build up not many barnacles.
Using soft also reduces build up of AF.
I don't beleive hard performs well on slow moving boats. I use it on the alloy saildrive/ prop and they are always covered in barnacles after 18 months.
I normally use soft and slip every 18 months swell. I was wondering if the boat with hard antifoul get longer times between slips but require regular scrubbing.
I hear of people getting 3 to 4 years but not sure what type of antifoul they are using. My boat is steel so I can't put on antifoul with high concentrations of copper. But I ran across an Aussie couple in Vanuatu who said they put spider poison (from Bunnings) in their antifoul but the boat was also fibreglass and they were using a high copper content paint.
Intervals depend on your location this will even vary from bay to bay in the same waterways. Best solution is talking to people moored close to you.
if you use your boat less than once a fortnight you should use soft and limit scrubbing bottom if you use it more than once afortnight ahrd antifoul is best they always perform better but need more movement or monthly cleaning to stay clean
Select to expand quoteCrusoe said..
What sort of life do you get out of each?
It's going to depend on the brand and the batch. A lot depends on the bloke making it on the day. I have had Jotun that lasted 3 months and other times it's gone to 2 years. I tried the new Hempel and that was very disappointing but someone here raved about the same product. I still have a tin but will use that as a primer coat under Micron next time. There seems to be very little difference in time between hard and soft in the same brand and price range. I just like soft because it does not have the build up. Pressure wash and re coat.
I use hard. It usually lasts 18 months to two years with a few scrubs and it is easier to scrub
Professional divers often won't clean soft, the two divers I have used in Pittwater won't, because it leaves a bloom when scrubbed and they can get fined and lose their licence if caught.
I use propspeed on the prop.
I've always asked those around me as to what they put on their bottoms. What works in some places won't work in others. A lot of course depends on usage, if you have a mooring minder then....
