Inversalu Aluminium Antifouling?

[nixontankgirl]

I have an Alloy yacht built by Meta in France. I understand they produce (and obviously recommend!) an 'anti corrosion+anti foul' called Inversalu. But I have never heard of anybody that has either used it or heard of it. I have searched on the internet and cant find any information. I would be very happy if anyone could give me any information.

[Steve Pope]

And Me!

[nixontankgirl]

Hi, you might want to check this thread out...its looking hopeful
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[David M]

I did not know aluminum could be an anti-foulant? I run an aluminum boat for a living I know the little buggers stick tenaciously to aluminum every time a little bit of it gets exposed to the water.

[David M]

Originally Posted by nixontankgirl

Hi, you might want to check this thread out...its looking hopeful
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[thuss]

I just came across this article in Practical Sailor about a couple who were using Inversalu (as recommended by META) but had a hard time getting it in the states so switched to using PPG Dimetcote 21-5 which apparently is a similar formulation. The advantages of Inversalu/Dimetcote appear to be no need for an epoxy barrier coat (just apply it to bare aluminum) and no need for hull zincs since the paint itself contains zinc.

Here's the article (which unfortunately requires a practical sailor login to read the whole thing): Antifouling for Aluminum Boats - Practical Sailor Article

[gtpinhei]

Resurrecting this thread as I am going through the same challenge.

4 years ago we bought La Favorita, a 44 Van de Stadt, in Rio Dulce, Guatemala.

Sailed her in west Caribbean for 2 to 4 months a year and didn't worry much about fouling as we left her in the hard when not sailing.

We only needed to scrape the bottom once, after sitting in the water at the Roatán Yacht Club for a couple of months while waiting and installing new electric system.

But now we are moving aboard and will be on the sea long term, so need to do the bottom to try postponing next haul out as we plan on crossing the Panama channel to the Pacific and Polynesia.

Also came about with the practical sailing article, and have been looking for Dimeticone 21-5 or Inversalu, but not success finding it in Guatemala to date.

By the description from the article, it seems to be what La Favorita already has on her hull, we pressure washed her and most of the outer layers of white antifouling came off, exposing some grey layers, that looks like the Inversalu/Dimeticone 21-5. Like most antifouling it comes out as a powder to the hand when touched.

Local suppliers have been offering options that contain copper, which I know its advised against as it could generate galvanic corrosion on an aluminum hull.

La Favorita is my first alloy boat so it has been a steep learning curve and any knowledge the community could share would be welcome.