In our last blog post we started the process of preparing our boat for new antifouling. We typically used paint, but technology has changed and the better choice for protecting your boat’s bottom is coppercoat. We ran into some problems and the original blog post grew too long so we broke it up into a few posts. Here is part II.
Coppercoat
We ordered the coppercoat directly from the NZ coppercoat contact. We ended up ordering 20 one liter kits which contain part A and B and the copper) and an additional (2) one liter cans for us (for any future repairs). The reason we orderd one liter cans is because the coppercoat has a very specific application process and ordering it in larger quantities like 10L or 20L cans makes it very difficult for the team to apply it fast enough before it sets. You only get about 20-30 minutes to apply while constantly stirring your paint tin.
First the team, and yes, I mean “team” as 5 Norsand guys bring the supplies. They set up a make shift table to lay everything out. The 20 kits (each has 3 parts), 15 buckets, 15 paint trays, 15 rollers, 5 small rollers, tons of rags, turps, and gloves. So much plastic. The Coppercoat sets so quickly that they cannot reuse the buckets, trays, or rollers for more than a few coats. Everything moves at warped speed.
The preparations continue as the team (Aaron, Josh, Conor, Ian, Luke) tape off our saildrives, rudder bearings, transducers and other vital parts that can’t be covered in coppercoat and need protection.
The Application
The boat is washed down with ISO to remove all dust particles and then the magic begins.
Our chemist, Josh begins the mixing process. He is dedicated to mixing each kit and keeping the painter’s trays mixed so the Coppercoat doesn’t set too quickly. Aaron (far left) is the yard manager and is supervising before starting the painting process.
The 5 guys work straight through lunch for over 5 hours applying 5+ coats, evenly, consistently, and professionally along our hulls. It was exhausting work but they powered through and completed the job! We were so pleased that we had a little happy hour celebration under the boat.
The first coat (top), the 3rd coat (middle) and the final coat (still wet).
I must be honest, I am not a fan of the color (copper) but I am even less pleased with what the color will look like once it spends 4-6 months in the salt water and oxidizes. And this is the permanent color for the next 10 years. These are not our boats (obviously), but it will give you an idea of what Coppercoat looks like once it has oxidized in the ocean.
Prop Speed
The coppercoat sets as we are finishing up a few other boat projects. One of the final projects is preparing the saildrives and props. We sand them down, apply a barrier coat to the sail drives (the white paint), sand down the props one more time. Then it is time to apply prop speed which helps prevent growth and corrosion on the sail drives and props. The bright yellow sure clashes with our copper bottom – oh well.
Activating the Coppercoat
It seems so wrong, but this is the process. The yard comes in a few days before we splash to burnish (sand down) our beautifully painted Coppercoat. Jamie uses 320 grit sand paper to activate the copper – but it was really hard to watch them burnish the new bottom job.
And that is the Coppercoat process.
Did you miss Part I of “The Low Down on Coppercoat Antifouling?” Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events. This blog post started in early November and finished around the end of November.
