I Like Clean, Smooth Bottoms!

[rossjo]

SILICONE Based Bottom Paints !

Emma Mærsk is a container ship owned by the A. P. Moller-Maersk Group. When she was launched, Emma Mærsk was the largest container ship ever built, and as of 2007 the longest ship in us

Instead of biocides, used by much of the industry to keep barnacles off of the hull, a special silicone-based paint is used.[3] This increases the ship's efficiency by reducing drag while also protecting the ocean from biocides that may leak. The silicone paint covering the part of the hull below the waterline is credited for lowering the water drag enough to save 1200 tons of fuel per year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_M%C3%A6rsk

You can buy Silicone based bottom paints - does anyone know of someone using these yet?

US Navy uses this: http://www.epaint.net/news.shtm
http://www.seacoat.com/pleasure.html
http://www.seacoat.com/pleasure.html

[chucka]

Here is a link to an article from boating writers international that mentions silicon based bottom paints:
http://www.bwi.org/images/basics.pdf

Silicone-based paints can provide more environmentally friendly protection, at least for some hulls—although at a much higher price than copper. These products theoretically make a boat’s underside too slippery for fouling organisms to hang on once the vessel gets underway. If your boat does 20 knots and you spend plenty of time on the water,
silicone-based paints could be a definite possibility. “The faster you move,” says John Ludgate, vice president of sales and marketing at Pettit, “the faster the growth gets removed from the bottom of the hull.” With any nonstick paint, if you seldom leave the dock, you’ll have to scrub your hull regularly. According to Ludgate, most nonsticks must be wiped down weekly. Coatings based on silicone shouldn’t be confused with ablative bottom paints, which operate on a different principle. The surface of these paints wears away slowly like a bar of soap, each time exposing more copper or other biocide

The only silicone paint mentioned in the article is from

INTERLUX YACHT FINISHES product: Veridian copper contnet: none cost per gallon $400

The Interlux webstite describes veridian as a paint for props and outdrives not for general bottom painting. see: http://www.yachtpaint.com/uk//product_g ... ageID=5048

Veridian is a biocide-free easy clean coating for propellers, out-boards, outdrives and stern-gear. It has an ultra-smooth, non-stick surface which can be cleaned quickly & easily with a sponge or soft cloth to maintain a bright, clean finish. No need for time-consuming abrading or high pressure water-washing to remove fouling during the season!

Unlike many coatings, Veridian adheres strongly to aluminium propellers & stern-gear substrates after suitable surface preparation and priming (where necessary). Even substrates with a previous antifouling coating still present (except VC®) can be overcoated providing the system is in good condition & well adhered. Not suitable for bronze or stainless steel. This product contains no biocides.