A dozen of the leading antifouling paints are put to the test and rated by MBY in The Solent and the Mediterranean
AquaCote Foul Release £249.85
AquaCote is a silicone-based coating, which doesn’t include any biocides. Instead, the two-part paint creates a super slippery surface, which is difficult for fouling to adhere to. The paint is claimed to last three years
DURABILITY: 5/5
Despite feeling soft to touch, it
is a strong paint that can withstand fast speeds and should last for at least three years. However, boats need to be cruised fairly regularly at 8 knots or more to keep the paint clean and it can only be applied on a bare hull.
COLOUR FASTNESS: 5/5
There was no change in colour in any of the locations, keeping its distinctive blue throughout.
WEED/BARNACLES: 2/5
In the Mediterranean and Solent locations there was no weed, however on the East Coast, there was some weed growth and even a barnacle attached to the panel.
SLIME CONTROL: 2/5
Slime is where the AquaCote let itself down, with all three panels being covered in thick slime, although with nothing but the tide to move water past them that isn’t entirely surprising.
WASH TEST: 5/5
Despite being covered in thick slime, it took very little effort to clean the panels. Running a finger across removed everything apart from that solitary barnacle, suggesting that a few minutes cruising at 20 knots or so should blast most of the fouling off the slippery hull coating.
VERDICT 72%
We know of at least one Med-based boater who is reporting impressive results with this new silicone-based product and these results seem to back that up, although allowing a barnacle to grow does worry us. Overall, an encouraging result from an environmentally sound solution.
