Antifoul questions, answered

Antifoul is a special paint for the bottom of your boat that stops barnacles, weed and slime from growing on it. Without it, a boat kept in the water quickly becomes a floating reef, which slows you down, burns more fuel and can damage your engine.

For boats kept in the water (a pen, mooring or canal jetty), usually every 12 to 18 months. Boats that live on a trailer, boat lift or in dry storage often don't need antifoul at all, because the hull dries out between trips. Not sure? Give us a call and we'll take a look.

Growth on the hull creates drag, so you use noticeably more fuel and lose speed. Marine growth can also block your engine's cooling water intakes and cause overheating and expensive damage. A clean hull helps stop the spread of marine pests too.

It depends on your hull (fibreglass, aluminium or timber), how fast your boat goes, how often you use it and where you keep it. We use International paints and will recommend the right product for your boat as part of your quote.

Yes, with the right paint. Standard copper-based antifoul must never go directly on aluminium, because it causes galvanic corrosion that eats away at the metal. Aluminium hulls need a compatible antifoul and the correct primer system, and we make sure your boat gets the right one.

Often, yes, if the old paint is in good condition and compatible with the new paint. Some paint types don't mix. If we don't know what's on there, we apply a barrier primer first so the new coat sticks properly.

It depends on whether your boat already has antifoul.

• Re-coat (existing antifoul in good condition): we pressure clean the hull, then apply two coats of antifoul.
• New antifoul (first time or back to bare hull): we lift the boat onto stands, sand the hull, apply one coat of primer, then two coats of antifoul.

Yes, where they sit below the waterline.

Yes. We can apply Propspeed and replace anodes while your boat is out of the water. Polishing and detailing are available on request, depending on our workload, so just ask for a quote.

Anodes are metal blocks that corrode on purpose, so your propeller, leg and other underwater metal parts don't. While the boat is out of the water it's the easiest and cheapest time to swap worn ones.

Usually up to a week, depending on the size of the boat.

Yes. Our fleet of trailers lets us collect your boat straight from the water and return it once the work is done. Our trailers suit pontoons and monohulls up to 24ft.

The Peel region, from Rockingham down to Lake Clifton.

No, as long as we can get to the boat and you're happy for us to collect it.

From $200, depending on where your boat is.

Re-coats start from $50 per foot, and new antifoul from $100 per foot. The final price depends on your boat's length, hull type and condition. Because we collect from the water with our own trailers, there are no extra marina haul-out or hardstand fees. Pick up and delivery is charged separately, from $200.

You can, but it's hard, messy work. Old antifoul dust is toxic, so sanding has to be done wet with proper protection, and using the wrong paint can damage your hull. Most of our customers find it cheaper overall to have it done right the first time.

Call Chris on 0429 628 511 or send us a quote request with your boat's details and a few photos.