We first saw it aboard the brand new Vismara VXR5 (which we told you about here): we are talking about the revolutionary Slips Dolphin silicone antifouling. How it works is simple: instead of killing microorganisms as traditional biocidal paints do, this one creates a surface to which fouling simply cannot adhere.
THE SECRET OF SILICONE ANTIFOULING
The secret? Slips patented lubricant technology in combination with surfactant polymers (SAPS) work together with the silicone base to create a truly slippery surface. So slippery that it is almost impossible to adhere to it. If any microorganisms do happen to attach, they are easily removed by boat movement or gentle washing.
ONE PRODUCT, TWO LAYERS
Slips Dolphin antifouling is based on two layers of product, the Tie Co at and the Top Coat. Tie Coat, to be applied first, is an epoxy-silicone hybrid that acts as an adhesion promoter. The epoxy binds well to the epoxy in the primer and the silicone binds well to the silicone in the top coat, the Top Coat. Without it, the top coat would not bond to the primer as well and therefore would not be as durable.
Slips Dolphin is a perfectly environmentally friendly solution (it releases nothing into the water and the slippery surface increases performance when sailing, even with a motor, reducing fuel consumption) that, the company assures, guarantees five years of unaltered performance.
Slips technology was researched, created and implemented in the laboratories of the Wyss Institute at Harvard University (Boston). It has also been tested by the NUS (National University of Singapore), which through its own water tests has confirmed its qualities and validity.
HOW MUCH PAINT SHOULD BE APPLIED?
For a rough estimate of the area to be painted, multiply your hull length (LOA) by the width and multiply by 0.85 (LOA x B x 0.85 = Area). The paint covers 15 to 19 square meters per gallon (3.785 L), depending on the thickness applied. A 35- to 40-foot boat, on average, will need two and a half gallons of product.
READ MORE
HERE is the website of Green Sailor, Italian dealer of Slips Dolphins (very soon available in Italy!) which also has a “FAQ” section where you can clarify all your doubts.
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