How Clean is your bottom?

Hull Maintenance is vital to overall boat performance, Craig Murphy from explains:

Growth on the bottom of hulls of yachts can be prolific in tropical waters like we have here in Phuket, Thailand.

Recently we lifted a boat that had not had antifouling renewal for 15 months.

Despite having a lifted 7 months ago for a jet wash this yacht had substantial growth on the hull, props, shafts, rudders and trim tabs.

Basically everything below the waterline.

Owners need to know that a yacht in tropical waters should really be lifted on a yearly basis. Then it would also be advisable to come up every 6 months come up for a pressure wash to clean all surfaces.

What most people don’t know is the negative effect on fuel consumption and load caused on engines. Although owners may be apprehensive to lift for a clean because of the perceived cost they think they are saving, in actual fact they might be burning much more in fuel. Yacht drags through the water loosing performance and putting further load on the main engines also putting wear on the engines.. Growth can also effect cooling intake restricting amount of water entering the cooling system.

Some tips for looking after your hull would be;

* Regularly having a diver going under and wipe down all area’s every two weeks to clean with a “Scotchbrite Pad”

* Every 6 months lift and pressure wash.

* Don’t wait any longer then a year for a annual clean and paint.

* Use quality coatings on all your surfaces.

* Coatings

When you’re coating Props, Shafts & Rudders there are many different products.

If you need to use a scrapper to remove barnacles then you’re damaging the coating which will encourage quick return of growth.

You shouldn’t need anything more than a scotchbrite to rub over surfaces.

There are many brands of coating with various levels of protection. We would recommend going with International Antifouling Paints and check what type of hull the application is for?

Then on the props and shafts we have used many different types of products but we have now found a product that is superior to the others, “Ceremtech” this coating is basically a ceramic coating applied by spray gun. It’s harder than the others such as prop speed and has proven to us that because of its strength, stands up to cleaning better than the others. Simply run a scotchbrite over the surface every two weeks and if there is any growth there, it will wipe off. No need for any paint scrappers damaging the coating.

Though this coating is more expensive, the savings from fuel economy and load on engines far outweighs the additional costs of the lift and clean. Ceremtech can also be used to protect gelcoats, car paint, stainless works and many other applications.

“Service is everything when you want trouble free boating”

Any other questions on our coating contact Craig

Max Marine Asia is the only Authorised Sunseeker Dealers for the Kingdom of Thailand. They are also the authorised dealers for Bayliner, Stingray RIBS and Austhai CATS. The large showroom allows you to view some of their stock boats and the sales people and engineers will assist you in your choice of boat. They also run Suzuki and other outboards with a complete after sales service. At Max Marine Asia you will always be guaranteed full support allowing you to enjoy the boat of your choice. Their 5 Star Charter services are also available for those memorable days.