new device- no more need for bottom paint

[tsandu]

hi all, just came back from the sydney boat show.. there was a stand with a interesting concept.. not sure if it works or not, but interesting nevertheless.. has anyone heard of such a device?

basically it is a big ultrasonic type transducer.. bot the size of a coke can.. it has a plate that is glued to the middle of the hull, then the device is screwed into it.. then turned on... and apparently no more bottom growth.. it costs about $3000, and while it may not sound cheap.. considering each year bottom coating costs $2000.. it pays for itself in under 2 years. Its guaranteed for 2 years, yet the one they have initially produced is 7 years old and still going strong..

what are your thoughts?

 

[KayKook]

Will it keep zebra mussels and barnacles off the boat bottom too ? Any effect on the sterndrive or tabs as far as limiting growth ?

 

[tobnpr]

Actually, they've been around forever:
http://www.barnaclean.com/

I haven't read anything about it in many years, but I remember feedback I could find back in the day left me unimpressed as to it's effectiveness. You still need to keep the bottom painted (which means it still needs to be scrubbed), and it (supposedly) will only affect hard growth- isn't going to do a thing for slime and algae growth.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone with first (or second or third)hand knowledge. I think that if it was worthwhile, there wouldn't be much of a market for bottom paint.

 

[mawyatt]

hi all, just came back from the sydney boat show.. there was a stand with a interesting concept.. not sure if it works or not, but interesting nevertheless.. has anyone heard of such a device?

basically it is a big ultrasonic type transducer.. bot the size of a coke can.. it has a plate that is glued to the middle of the hull, then the device is screwed into it.. then turned on... and apparently no more bottom growth.. it costs about $3000, and while it may not sound cheap.. considering each year bottom coating costs $2000.. it pays for itself in under 2 years. Its guaranteed for 2 years, yet the one they have initially produced is 7 years old and still going strong..

what are your thoughts?

Interesting. About 5 years ago I had documented a proceedure to do exactly this...except to use multiple transducers. Never had the time to pursue it though, so hats off to them for coming to market with a product. I wonder if they did a frequency scan to determine the frequency bands that work best?

Could you provide the company name and web site?

Thanks mate!! (Love the way you auzzies talk!)

Mike