The Skipper's Blog

Forrest M ​asked:

Hello. I am interested in the VS721 product as an alternative to bottom paint.

I live on the central coast of California. I plan to put my boat in a slip at the local harbor (ocean/saltwater). I would use my boat 3 to 4 times per month, and can pull it out to clean it about once per month. Your instructions state that if you do not use your boat frequently, that this product may not keep the hull free of growth. I was wondering, with the frequency that I mentioned, would this be a good product for me?

Answer:

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Hi Forrest,

I assume that your boat is fiberglass.

Marine growth in California, salt water, is more severe than in northern states and given the frequency you describe, VS721^® may not be the right solution for you. It does not contain any toxic biocides to kill surrounding marine growth. Instead, it relies on sealing up the pores and presenting a very slippery surface making it difficult for marine growth to attach. Other benefits of using VS721^® is that because it seals the pores it prevents osmosis blister, or boat pox, it’s clear so you can keep an eye on the condition of your boat bottom and it doesn’t devalue your boat like antifouling paint does. Typically, a boat without antifouling paint and with a bottom in good condition will sell for 10% to 15% more than a boat with antifouling paint.

Cleaning frequency varies, depending on slime accumulation. VS721^® seals the pores in the gelcoat and leaves a super slippery surface, making it hard for algae and barnacles to attach. Because the microscopic pores are sealed, it prevents biofouling from anchoring in these pores. In other words, making it easier to remove.

The problem is slime. Slime is bacteria in water and it attaches to everything. Slime is food for higher life forms, so if you keep the slime off, you won’t get any growth. Slime is very easy to wipe off of VS721^® and many boat owners do it while the boat is in the water, by diving under the boat and giving it a quick wipe with a Marine Power Mitt^®. If the slime is left and algae and barnacles come to feed and they are not removed in the juvenile stage, they will penetrate the slime, and VS721^®, and anchor to the gelcoat. The longer they are left the more tenacious the adhesive is and the more difficult to remove.

Depending on the season and proliferation of biofouling in your area, you may have to clean the slime off, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or bi-monthly. In high growth areas, like yours, even antifouling paint needs to be cleaned on a regular basis or the bottom will foul up. In areas like California, Florida, Texas, etc., it’s common to employ divers to dive and scrub the anti-fouled boat bottoms on a regular basis.

Another benefit of VS721^®, is that you can try it and if it doesn’t work for you, it’s easy to strip so you can go to a barrier coat and antifouling paint. If you go the antifouling paint way, it’s difficult to strip, so you have to live with it.

Thanks for your question,
Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar

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