Ultrasonic antifouling?? any good??

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sea

And if the ultrasonic systems came into wide use, you wouldn't be under a boat in a marina somewhere.

My point exactly. If they worked, they'd already be in wide use.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sea

And if the ultrasonic systems came into wide use, you wouldn't be under a boat in a marina somewhere.

I rest my case !





Just kidding... sort of.
Actually, it's not an end all to fouling, but it is interesting that the presence of these units is so offensive to certain people.


If they truly don't work what problem is that to them?

I would think they would be happy to be able to say,



"I told you so."

[fstbttms]

See, you think that I have some sort of problem with ultrasonic anti fouling systems. Quite the contrary. I don't really give a two hoots about them because I know that they do not work as advertised and will never become a significant factor in the boat maintenance business. Any post I have ever made here about them is in rebuttal to people making claims about them that I know are simply not credible.

You do your boating in a place where serious fouling is not a concern. But even there, ultrasonic systems are rare. Why is that? You have never addressed that question.

[CapnBazza]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Hey "chief".


Lithium batteries have been around for some time, but relatively few boaters use them.
Following your logic, does that make them bogus also?

There’s a well known saying “Only a fool would argue with a fool”. Give it up mate, he has a vested interest in decrying UA.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by CapnBazza

There’s a well known saying “Only a fool would argue with a fool”. Give it up mate, he has a vested interest in decrying UA.

Well, fool or not, none of you geniuses have answered my very simple, straightforward question; if it works so well, why are there so few in use?

I'll keep waiting...

[sailorboy1]

I'm waiting Nigel Calders longer term review of his system. He has written that he feels his ultrasonic system was "worth it" in just his first year short term. I would suspect there is a wide ranging group of cruiser who would consider his thoughts on the subject more important than a single SF area hull cleaner's.

But I believe that ultrasonic, bottom paint, cleaning, copper coat are all just part of a bottom management approach. They probably all are "worth it" if used together properly. To just say something like ultrasonic or a specific bottom paint or copper coat, doesn't work is a pretty meaningless thing and is just showing IMO a simple minded unwillingness to progress beyond your current experience and a very narrow group of users.

BTW - I have a feeling a lot of ultrasonic systems not working is a combination of people using the "cheap" systems and/or not installing the units correctly.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Well, fool or not, none of you geniuses have answered my very simple, straightforward question; if it works so well, why are there so few in use?

I'll keep waiting...

It's simple, its cost!

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

It's simple, its cost!

Give me a break. These systems typically cost less than a bottom job.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Well, fool or not, none of you geniuses have answered my very simple, straightforward question; if it works so well, why are there so few in use?

I'll keep waiting...

Two reasons,
Boaters as a general group are very traditional. Normalcy bias.


Boaters are cheap when it comes to buying something which hasn't been accepted by the majority. We have all seen other products being laughed at for their cost.



A certain "ABYC certified" person comes to mind.




The cost? Give me a break. You can buy a safe for under $100 that will open if you drop it, or you can spend thousands and buy one which will actually do what it's supposed to do. Keep your stuff SAFE.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Give me a break. These systems typically cost less than a bottom job.

And in SF how much is that! So give everyone else a break on the subject as they all know your position from every time anyone asks it. Consider the world is bigger than your little bay.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Give me a break. These systems typically cost less than a bottom job.

Maybe wide spread use would make you job easier. Just getting the slim and grass off no barnacles'.

[Paul L]

Fstbttms may have a dog in this fight and come across to some as self serving, but the boats I've come across with ultrasonic systems onboard while cruising have all had underwhelming results. Some show small improvements, but nothing that I would consider significant or enough for me to want to try an install first hand.

[CapnBazza]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Well, fool or not, none of you geniuses have answered my very simple, straightforward question; if it works so well, why are there so few in use?

I'll keep waiting...

Mine works, I need more time to see how well as it has only been in the water for 15 months in tropical North Queensland. Whether you think it does or doesn’t is of no consequence.

[jimisbell]

Amen to that

[Sputnik]

So who would finance an unbiased scientific test?
Fouling is very specific, different areas have different species of fouling, that occur at different times of the year, and have other influences such as spikes in seasonal temperatures. What works in Queensland may not work in California, or in the UK. So that unbiased test needs to be carried out in all the different locations.
I have tried International, some of them work better than others. I am currently using Coppercoat, it does not stop fouling, in fact I think it may be as good as nothing, but the fouling comes off more easily than no coating at all. But even in the UK, fouling is very specific around the coastline, even within a few miles of different locations.
One of the key problems in my area I believe is that there is a massive amount of mud circulating in the water (the sea is brown), if I leave my mooring lines in the water when I am away for a week they look like I buried them in the mud. This suspended mud sticks to the hull and provides a great medium for fouling to adhere. I don't believe any antifouling will resist that environment.
Ultrasonic needs a fairly substantial power supply, probably only available in marinas with shore power, mine and many other boats don't have this facility.
The only suggestion I have is to talk to the folks in your immediate locality to see what works and what doesn't.....but don't expect an unbiased scientific answer!!
Neil