Foul-Release Solutions For All Situations
Published: Monday, February 24, 2020
In our region, we may have a shorter season than our southern friends, resulting in long periods of time that our boats are sitting still. This makes them the perfect target for algae, barnacle, and mussel growth. In addition to reducing fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and speed, if left untreated, this marine fouling can cause blockages and even damage.
We are all familiar with the many toxins used over the years to prevent growth on the bottoms of boats. These coatings have been found to be hazardous to the environment, and can even be dangerous to those applying them. Also, they may not be the best choice for metal surfaces like propellers and running gear. Foul-release coatings, in use since the 1970s, evolved as an alternative to toxic paints. Organisms that try to settle on a foul-release-coated surface are unable to grip onto it tightly. Foul-release has the added benefit of preserving the integrity of metal surfaces, unlike antifoul, which causes copper to leach out of bronze, in turn weakening the material.
One of the leaders in foul-release coatings for propellers is Propspeed. It's ultra-slick top coat is specially formulated to prevent marine growth from bonding to metal surfaces below the waterline. It is environmentally friendly and proven to increase boat efficiency, reduce drag, and save fuel and maintenance costs. It features an exceptionally strong chemical and physical bond between the metal substrate, the primer, and the top coat – ensuring that the Propspeed coating actually adheres to your running gear and lasts for season after season.
Propspeed has built upon its success by launching relatively new lines of coatings for products that have their own challenges, such as underwater lights and transducers.
Lightspeed is the first transparent foul-release system, preventing marine growth from attaching to the surface of lights and allows for the easy and damage-free removal of any spurious barnacles or algae. Fouling on the face of transducers can reduce their sensitivity, bottom-echo returns and positive fish targets, but Foulfree eliminates this issue and is specifically formulated to not effect sonar returns.
To learn more about the complete line of foul-release products from Propspeed, visit www.oceanmax.com.
This article first appeared in the Winter Issue (Jan/Feb) 2020 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Environmental Impact, Polishes & Waxes, Service & Repair
