The Boat Paint Guide
The lowdown on anti-fouling
Canadian Yachting
Whether you call it antifoul, antifouling, or antifouling paint, it all amounts to the same function: treatment of a boat's hull with a paint or similar substance designed to prevent fouling. Fouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae or animals on wetted surfaces. Antifouling paint is applied to prevent this build-up.
This fouling build-up poses problems for watercraft: damage to hull and propulsion systems and efficiency of movement. In extreme cases, accumulation of biofoulers on hulls can increase the vessel’s surface area and friction, leading to increased drag up to 60%. This drag can decrease speed by 10%, and can require up to a 40% increase in fuel consumption to compensate.
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Originally published here.