Antifouling

Boats spend a large proportion of their working life partly submerged in water. As with all objects subjected to long periods of time in the water, boat hulls become prone to colonisation by the many micro-organisms which inhabit the aquatic environment. This colonisation is known as fouling and is the ever-present enemy of private boat owners. The extent of infestation depends on a number of factors including water temperature, salinity and productivity of the organic matter on which the organisms feed.

Small accumulations of fouling on the hull can quickly grow into larger masses causing a lot of resistance and severely hampering a vessel’s manoeuvrability as well as wasting fuel in motorboats. Copper antifouling techniques have long been used for large ships as the metal creates a poisonous film when in contact with the water, and also dissolves slowly, to prevent anything from attaching to it. Antifouling paint is therefore often copper based, and is the most simple solution to avoid the build up of biofouling. At El Gouna Boat Service we supply a massive selection of antifouling paints, sprays and cleaners so that you can remain on top of fouling control.