PRACTICAL


Applying Coppercoat antifouling


Coppercoat is a water-based epoxy antifouling which can be used on all sizes of craft. David Parker applies it to a tender and describes the process


product exhibited at boat shows and have read reports about it. When discussing it with others I’ve received


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mixed responses, ranging from glowing testimonials about its performance to more disparaging remarks about its appearance on a hull, with comments such as ‘it looks like an old church roof.’ I’ve read the brochures, but I thought the best way to find out more about it was to try it out myself. However, I didn’t want to commit to the time, expense and extra labour involved in applying a new coating system altogether to my main boat where I use traditional antifouling. Also, if I did use it on the big boat I would prefer to apply it myself, and I was wary about


oppercoat is a long- established antifouling which was first launched back in 1991, and like many boat owners I have seen the


using a new type of epoxy coating on a large scale. I have experienced how epoxy coatings can go wrong in the past for various reasons, and I didn’t want my whole hull affected if there was a problem. However, my tender which is afloat most of the year on the River Hamble does suffer from heavy fouling which I regularly have to scrub off when I beach her. I have not used traditional antifouling on it because of the staining you get from both hard and soft varieties on hands, cloths and straps when car-topping the boat etc. What I wanted was an antifouling coating which was clean, effective and I could put on and forget about, and Coppercoat seemed an interesting option. Here was the ideal smaller project on which to try it out.


On further research, it transpires it is regularly TOP TIP


When sanding down, cheap abrasive paper is a false economy and quickly disintegrates. A decent brand might be more expensive at the start, but it lasts so much longer that it works out more cheaply in the long run.


used on smaller craft. The manufacturers told me it can withstand regular haul-outs, and unlike conventional antifouling paints it does not oxidise and deteriorate when out of the water. Currently it is used by manufacturers of craft such as Cornish Crabbers, Honnor Marine, Swallow Boats, Ribeye, Ribcraft, Drascombe Luggers, Plymouth Pilots and the Hawk 20. Being a water- based epoxy it contains no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) so it is both environmentally friendly and doesn’t give off strong solvent vapours when you apply it. It is sold in 1lt units, and one pack would be sufficient to treat my 2.4m (8ft) tender. The retail price for a 1lt unit is £70, plus £8.50 for delivery, plus VAT: a total of £94.20.


Practical Boat Owner 585 April 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk


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