Electronic Barnacle Prevention

[Jacob]

Anyone here tried one of the electronic barnacle prevention systems? After a little research I found the following:

http://www.hullmasters.com/

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5143011/description.html

http://dieselmixgas.com.au/barnacle-rid.php

These systems are relatively pricey ($1600 for the product from Australia) and I was wondering how effective they were. It looks like it wouldn't be too difficult to manufacture your own system. The second link provides technical info on the design which calls for a series of 25 hz oscillators attached to the hull.

Any experience with these systems would be appreciated. We had full barnacle growth on shafts and props 6 weeks after haul out. This growth plays hell with boat performance and wastes at least an additional 10 gallons per hour fuel.

Jacob

 

[Jacob]

I have been in touch with the folks in Australia and am considering their product for our boat. They have a newer website which provides a lot more information:

http://barnaclerid.com.au/

I will let folks know our experience with their product if we move forward on it.

Jacob

 

[mawyatt]

I have looking into this for some time with some ideas of my own, never had the time or $ to pursue. Came across a University of Florida invention my Tony Brennan now licensed by Sharklet Technologies (do a Google search). Basically Brennan replicated the micro structure of shark skin in silicone which it seems algae and barnacles won't stick to!

 

[dpmulvey]

It makes sense in theory. I am looking forward to a CSR user's actual experience.

VERY conservatively speaking, the unit would pay for itself in 50 hours of cruising.

 

[katricol]

Looks like "no bottom paint" is in our future

 

[tobnpr]

Whether the technology works or not I have no idea; but in any case it won't affect soft growth- which still needs to be removed from the hull.

To the OP; you say there was growth at six weeks; don't you have a diver (or DIY) on the hull monthly? I could go a bit longer in the winter, but during the summer- if there was no paint on the gear- I would have to clean them every two weeks if the boat had not been used. Running the boat with growth bad enough to affect performance not only sucks fuel and speed; the resulting vibration wouldn't be good for the longevity of the running gear.

 

[Bugsy24]

The US Navy is using this tech. for their Combat and MSC. ships.

 

[jmauld]

Any of you guys ever try this system?

 

[Skybolt]

All the links are dead except this one: http://barnaclerid.com.au/

They sure are expensive for what it does: https://www.barnaclerid.com.au/catamaran-products/

Haven't seen adds for this any longer either.

 

[TomS]

A Sonihull Quad system is being installed on our 410 Sundancer Friday, 2 transducers on the hull, 1 on each pod. We'll see how it goes, but we'll still use a diver for soft stuff, lights, transducer, tabs, etc. There are quite a few Aquila powercats around here using the Hull Shield ultrasonic systems brand to great effect.