Ultrasonic antifouling

[landonshaw]

Thanks to most of the responses, a few are not worth the time to read. In Grenada I have not found any using the system. Mostly live a boards diving there boats every few weeks. We are able to use paints that are not available in the U.S. and many other areas though. Cheers

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by landonshaw

We are able to use paints that are not available in the U.S. and many other areas though. Cheers

By that can we assume you mean tributyl tin?

[colemj]

I think he was referring to Micron 77

Mark

[landonshaw]

I use Sea Hawk Island 77 + a tin booster. Still have problems being in the warm water year around.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by landonshaw

I use Sea Hawk Island 77 + a tin booster. Still have problems being in the warm water year around.

Really? Are you sure it wasn't Islands 44? It makes no sense at all to use Islands 77 with the tin booster. They may not even be compatible.

Mark

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by colemj

Really? Are you sure it wasn't Islands 44? It makes no sense at all to use Islands 77 with the tin booster. They may not even be compatible.

Tin-based boosters are not compatible with tin-free anti fouling paints. And even if they were, tributyl tin anti fouling products should not be used- period.

[landonshaw]

It might have been the 44. I look at the can each time to get the correct product.

[landonshaw]

That is the prior used can. Thanks for the correction.

[Rapanui]

For correction, my 35 years in north european waters was that we do have major problems with fouling both weed and barnacles. Antifouling that worked well one year would not work the next with the bottom looking like a shellfish farm. That was in the south UK. We are now in the Med Adriatic and again there are problems requiring a mid season scrape.

There have been tests from reliable sailing mags like Yachting Monthly which indicates that ultrasonic can work. At this years boat show, I talked to a supplier who claims to have a large order from USCG, after successful trials, perhaps some of the US contributors with contacts there could check that out. I understand they are using it to protect sea inlets etc. I have a similar concern to protect my saildrives and keep the water inlets clear and reduce fouling in that area.

Like everything on the commercial marketplace, some stuff ostensibly using the same technology will work better than others either because of the implementation or installation. Thats what this forum is for, we just need people to share real experience.

[RKsailsolo]

Originally Posted by Rapanui

There have been tests from reliable sailing mags like Yachting Monthly which indicates that ultrasonic can work. At this years boat show, I talked to a supplier who claims to have a large order from USCG, after successful trials, perhaps some of the US contributors with contacts there could check that out. I understand they are using it to protect sea inlets etc. I have a similar concern to protect my saildrives and keep the water inlets clear and reduce fouling in that area.

Like everything on the commercial marketplace, some stuff ostensibly using the same technology will work better than others either because of the implementation or installation. Thats what this forum is for, we just need people to share real experience.

Ultrasonic Antifouling Test - Yachting Monthly Nothing conclusive here.

Theoretically, there is evidence the technology can work. This from an R&D/Scholarly article...
Abstract Effect of ultrasound on cyprid footprint and juvenile barnacle adhesion on a fouling release material

In our earlier studies, we have demonstrated that low and high intensity ultrasound can prevent barnacle cyprid settlement. In this study, we found that ultrasound treatment reduced the adhesion of newly metamorphosed barnacles up to 2 days’ old. This was observed in the reduction of adhesion strength of the newly settled barnacles from ultrasound treated cyprids on silicone substrate compared to the adhesion strength of barnacles metamorphosed from cyprids not exposed to ultrasound. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to analyze the effect of ultrasound on barnacle cyprid footprints (FPs), which are protein adhesives secreted when the larvae explore surfaces. The ultrasound treated cyprids were found to secrete less FPs, which appeared to spread a larger area than those generated by untreated cyprids. The evidence from this study suggests that ultrasound treatment results in a reduced cyprid settlement and footprint secretion, and may affect the subsequent recruitment of barnacles onto fouling release surfaces by reducing the ability of early settlement stage of barnacles (up to 2 days’ old) from firmly adhering to the substrates. Ultrasound therefore can be used in combination with fouling release coatings to offer a more efficient antifouling strategy."

[RKsailsolo]

Looks like more than a few manufacturers offer possible solutions. Antifouling systems - All boating and marine industry manufacturers - Videos

[RKsailsolo]

Originally Posted by Lars_L

I installed an Ultrasonic in the spring 2013. It was from a New Zealand manufacture CleanABoat. My conclusion is that it doesn’t work on my boat.

I send some photos to CleaABoat on how I have mounted the transmitter and how the hull looked when I took up the boot, and asked if I hade installed it wrong somehow. I have not received any response.

Did you ever get resolution on this Lars?

[RKsailsolo]

Aussie manufacturer site offers good detail and a study by Australian Navy.

[RKsailsolo]

[QUOTE=jeffro;1856582]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Hey, it only took them four months to respond to Lars! Now that's some good service.

I was not aware Lars had a problem until I just joined this forum.
I am simply trying to fix his problem.

Hi Jeffro, did you ever get to discover more about the problem? We would all benefit from your experience. Thanks

[RKsailsolo]

http://www.sailfeed.com/2012/10/ultr.../#comment-4347