Vinyl wrap under the water line - anti-fouling

[Calif.Ted]

Wouldn't a vinyl wrap cost as much or more than bottom paint ?

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by BigVee

That is the crux of the issue. Marine growth does not just grow. It “implants” using some bio-glue and proceeds to harvest nutrients from the surrounding water to grow. My thought is, if you stop the implant, you stop growth. The smoothness of the surface may make it difficult for the critters to adhere. This as opposed to the the traditional “flat” paint used in anti-fouling.

Although, I am also wondering if using this in combination with a bio-cide adhesive may work even better??

So what is the basis of your assumption that they won't implant on a plastic sheet.
- Plastic is an organic material, so that bio-glue may make it worse.
- First time you bump the bottom, you will leave lots of small scratches and it will have somewhere to grip.

So other than it seems smooth, what is the scientific basis for you assumption that growth won't adhere to standard car wrap plastic? Gelcoat seems pretty smooth when new and critters love to grow on it.

[chris95040]

I hope someday there's a solution to brightwork that looks something like these vinyl wraps. Clear vinyl something-or-other, get it on snug and whack it with a heat gun.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by chris95040

I hope someday there's a solution to brightwork that looks something like these vinyl wraps. Clear vinyl something-or-other, get it on snug and whack it with a heat gun.

Already available, have you seen any of the recent mini-vans with the wood panel sides...

[BigVee]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

So what is the basis of your assumption that they won't implant on a plastic sheet.
- Plastic is an organic material, so that bio-glue may make it worse.
- First time you bump the bottom, you will leave lots of small scratches and it will have somewhere to grip.

So other than it seems smooth, what is the scientific basis for you assumption that growth won't adhere to standard car wrap plastic? Gelcoat seems pretty smooth when new and critters love to grow on it.

Plastic bags are floating in the ocean with zero barnacles. No assumption - That’s the evidence. Seemingly smooth ( gel coat) is not enough. It has to be microscopically smooth.

[BigVee]

Yes. Time to experiment. I think I’ll contact the macglide folks.

[sailormed]

Originally Posted by BigVee

Yes. Time to experiment. I think I’ll contact the macglide folks.

Hy BigVee, any feedback on your experiment with the macGlide folks?

[Chenega]

Perfect... now toxic plastic for landfills..... it only gets better

[Thalas]

Originally Posted by Chenega

Perfect... now toxic plastic for landfills..... it only gets better

Oh boy... nobody tell this guy what boat hulls are made of!

Seriously though, it's a fair concern, but rest easy that sailors tend to have an INCREDIBLY lower ecological footprints than most people. One trip using the wind already saves so much oil (which is exactly where that plastic is coming from) vs land/air travel. Ya still gotta live though. If the vinyl works and means a quick rub removes all growth, I'm all for it.

[aussiemick01]

How did it workout?

[billknny]

Originally Posted by aussiemick01

How did it workout?

If you have to ask... you know the answer.

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by billknny

If you have to ask... you know the answer.

[psk125]

Do people find plastic bags floating in the oceans with nothing growing on them because the plastic is too slippery for things to attach to, or because the bag just got there yesterday and there hasn't been time for anything to grow? At our club, one-design keelboats were once moored in plastic "corrals" - big plastic bags with a door flap at one end to enable the boat to go in & out, and a floating collar to hold it up when the boat was off racing. Chlorine got added when the boat was there, to make sure nothing grew - on the inside. Eventually, the growth on the outside of the bag got so heavy that the collars couldn't hold them up, and they sank.

[Dave_S]

I talked to these guys a couple of years ago. They were establishing an agent in Australia but I notice they still don't have one. That might suggest the testing didn't go well.

A couple of things turned me off at that time.

• One was cost, I can't remember but it was expensive, about 3x from my dodgy memory.
• There was no guarantee how it would work here.
• No agent here, freight and application was my problem
• It would not survive a dry out on the sand.
• All the old antifoul must be removed

Nice guy and he was honest with me.

[sdowney717]

UV light blinds, kills barnacle larvae and they dont stick to a surface.
I have wondered about hanging uv lights over the side.

https://www.nature.com/news/2003/030...s030224-4.html