Coppercoat

[SV Azimuth]

Though this isn't a P365-specific question, I am curious on y'all's opinions on Coppercoat anti-fouling (www.coppercoatusa.com). We're approaching our bi-annual bottom paint routine and intend to address a few blister areas in the process. Testimonials on Coppercoat seem almost too good to be true (maybe a red flag?) but do have me wondering if the extra effort to strip the hull, knowing we'll be doing it in areas anyways, is worth the extra longevity of the copper/epoxy combo.

Would love to hear of any experience you all have had with the product and whether or not you'd recommend it based on what you know. Thanks!

[S/V AMITY]

    Have heard strong positives and strong negatives.  My sense is that Coppercoat is hyper sensitive regarding application.  Suggest calling the manufacturer and ask them what they've discovered regarding causes of product failure.  My wild guess is their answer will be improper activation (sanding) before launching.

[SVJourney]

A series of 4 videos of a couple who recently applied their own Coppercoat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KwBBBbBVAQ&list=PL3Lh3SjNvyL44mEOqFSRwQINJSjorCKbc
No videos of long term results yet.  Personally I am very skeptical of the 10 year durability claim.

[jpendoley]

I am following this convo-boat is in my backyard and have ordered a gel plane peeler. Bottom was barrier coated by the previous owner, but there appear to be hundreds of blisters that have appeared BELOW the existing barrier coat. The only solution that I can see is a peel and recoat process.
This is the tool I am using for the project

https://paintshaver.com/gelpeel-pro/

Its pricey-$1500 but looks like it makes the process somewhat less punishing for this 61 year old sailor
Jim

[Dale Tanski]

I too watched the Sailing Soulianis series regarding copper coat.  It seemed very labor intensive, however who cares if it works, unless you put four bottom jobs into one big one and you are no further ahead.  The fact that it is epoxy based is a plus in that you barrier coat the boat at the same time.

What I don't understand is why apply copper in the first few coats at all?  That copper "dust" will never see water if the epoxy does its job and therefore a waste unless you must keep sanding to expose more copper.  Theoretically only the top coat needs copper as it is the cladding that keeps the growth away.   The only reason to have copper in all of the coats would be that the epoxy wears away itself over time.  Salt water is quite abrasive so this must be why they even say it has to be "touched up". 

All of the negative I have read (besides cost) all seems to go back how it was applied.  That seems to be the case with many things.  Basically it is a coating, how difficult can it be to apply a coating?  If it failed due to adhesion than I would say prep was the issue.  If it failed prematurely than I would say the applier cheapened out and didn't apply enough of the product to properly do the job. We see this all of the time in standard bottom paints.  We have the ever growing list of customers that can miraculously paint an entire 35 footer in bottom paint with one quart.  These typically are the same people that complain their boat is slow once the water temp approaches 70 degs.  I also love the people that say "my bottom looks fine", I just need to touch up a few spots.  They of course never see the bottom when the boat is pulled prior to power washing and yes indeed even the most fouled bottoms look fine after it is cleaned.

One other thing... if the California EPA says it is safe that makes me think it probably doesn't work that well.  Just like all of the "new" versions of anything, the greener they are the less effective they are for their intended use, like it or not.

P.S. Reguarding the Sailing Soulianis series – I have seen every episode from the very beginning (Covid lockdown induced) Maybe it is just me but it was way better when they were starting out, making and fixing issues along the way.  It seems they "acquire" very pricy gear for a struggling couple that lives on a boat and out of a van. 

Dale