The maintenance of a vessel’s hull is something many boat owners overlook. Yet, caring for a vessel’s hull and providing it with antifouling protection will benefit your vessel’s performance, economy, and investment. This is true for boats made of fiberglass, steel, or wood.
The first things you need to know about the hull are organisms that call it home. Fouling organisms, like barnacles and seaweed, or even microscopic creatures, grow on a surface and create a rough and drag-resistant layer that increases fuel consumption, and even decreases a vessel’s speed.
Antifouling paints focus on protecting a vessel’s hull from such organisms. In the past, paints would have copper. Now, environmentally safer antifouling paints provide protection by dissolving in the sea.
- The location of your vessel when moored,
- your anticipated cruising,
- the regulations,
- and your budget and preference for the frequency of system maintenance.
Professional marine experts recommend frequent and regular vessel inspections. It is best to haul and inspect your vessel at least once a year for osmotic blistering, cracks, and damages. If your vessel is used mostly in high fouling areas, it is not uncommon to haul and inspect your vessel twice a year.
Whether you have your vessel hauled twice a year, once a year, or not at all, you should do underwater inspections. A simple visual inspection from the side of vessel will help to determine growth and coating damage.
Thoroughly clean the hull, remove all paint, and allow to dry. If you skip any steps, you will not save time and money like you hoped you would. Instead, you will waste more money.
Environmental Considerations
Regulations concerning marine antifouling paints vary. Many countries banned user paints containing tributyltin (TBT). Make sure you use marine paints that comply with environmental standards and dispose of old paints properly.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
In the long term, the expense of a quality antifouling paint will be offset by less fuel expenses and fewer repairs. Operational savings will more than justify the cost of annual hull maintenance.
Working with Marine Professionals
The most effective approach to maintain the hull is to hire a marine surveyor. They will perform a survey on your boat and prepare a maintenance schedule and describe the current condition of the hull. They will identify issues that, if not resolved, will lead to increased costs.
The best practice for hull maintenance is an investment in the vessel’s long-term performance and safety. Understanding the mechanism involved in fouling and selecting appropriate antifouling systems with regular inspections will enable you to use your boat efficiently and safely over an extended period.