27th Mar 2022
Antifouling your hull is an essential yearly boat maintenance task that can lead to a costly repair bill if not carried out correctly. In this blog post, we’ll be looking at how much antifoul you will need to properly antifoul your hull to prevent algae, barnacles, slime and other organisms from attaching to your hull.
What Impacts How Much Antifouling Is Needed For A Boat?
There is no simple answer to how much antifouling paint a boat needs, as the amount differs due to size of the boat and the amount of coats needed, amongst other factors – but we’ll look at the key factors that will make the most difference.
Boat Size:The most obvious factor that will affect the amount of antifouling you need is the size of your boat. The larger the surface area of the hull, the more antifouling paint you will need, especially if you are applying multiple coats.
Number Of Coats:That brings us nicely onto our next major factor – the amount of coats required. Typically, 2-3 coats are required for one season of use. However, if your existing antifouling is in good condition, a touch-up may be suffice. Also, some antifoulings, including Seajet Coastal 037 Antifoul and Hempel Tiger Xtra Antifoul only require one coat for a whole season. We go further into detail on this subject in our ‘How Often Should You Antifoul A Boat?’ guide.
Is There An Antifouling Boat Paint Calculator?
To work out the amount of antifouling you require, you will first need to know the surface area of the hull.
If you have a fin keel, the formula is as follows:
Waterline length x (beam + underwater depth) x 0.5.
If you have a long keel, the formula is as follows:
Waterline length x (beam + underwater depth) x 0.75.
Once you have established a number, you will need to know the coverage of the antifoul. It’s listed on all product data sheets and in the description of all our antifouling paints – for example, Seajet Shogun 033 Antifoul covers 8.8 metres per square litre, whilst Hempel Classic Antifoul has a coverage of 11.2 metres per square litre.
Once you know the surface area and the coverage rate of the antifouling you’re using, use the following calculation to workout the total litres of antifoul requires to antifoul your boat:
Surface Area (m2) ÷ Coverage Rate (m2)/L = total litres of antifoul required.
Please note, these calculations are for one coat – if you wish to apply more coats, then you will need to adjust the amount accordingly.
Pirates Cave Provide Quality Antifouling Solutions
Antifouling a boat is not the cheapest of tasks, but as with most maintenance jobs, prevention is far cheaper than the cure. Not applying adequate antifouling can lead to a hefty bill to remove it once your boat is back out of the water.
If you are ever unsure as to how much antifouling you need, do not hesitate to get in touch! Our highly experienced team members pride themselves on their excellent customer service, which is why we’re rated 4.8 out of 5 on reviews.io. Call us on 01634 295 233, email customerservices@piratescave.co.uk or visit our Rochester store – open 7 days a week.
Whilst you’re here, why not check out some of our other antifoul-related guides?
