Antifoul on Inflatable Dinghy? Yes or No

B-to

.
Dec 17, 2018
5
Beneteau OC 41.1 Sag Harbor
I have a new inflatable (PVC) dinghy with a fiberglass bottom that will spend the summer in the water tied to a dinghy dock to shuttle back and forth to boat on a mooring in Northeast. Will trail dinghy for short day trips behind boat and ideally would like to store on cabin top for longer trips. Past dinghy was a lot of work keeping the bottom clean during the season and at year end. Should I put antifoul on a dinghy kept in the water for the season? If so, how is it storing the dinghy on a deck or folding up at end of the season and storing in a bag for winter? Any brands better or worse for this intended use? Any other considerations I should be thinking about? Trying to decide which is lesser of two evils (cleaning barnacles periodically vs dealing generally with antifoul).
 

Bob J.

.
Apr 14, 2009
773
Sabre 28 NH
[QUOTE="B-to, post: 1504253, member: 143581" Past dinghy was a lot of work keeping the bottom clean during the season and at year end[/QUOTE]

You already know the answer...
 
Jan 11, 2014
11,323
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Have you thought about an antifouling wax? VS721 BOTTOM COAT I haven't tried it, but it looks like it would be a good compromise between the antifouling paint and scraping.
 
Nov 13, 2013
723
Catalina 34 Tacoma
I would check out if the anti-foul paint would damage the PVC that remained underwater. If you can't apply it to the underwater PVC you will still have to clean.
 

Bob J.

.
Apr 14, 2009
773
Sabre 28 NH
Like Head Sail mentioned, you wouldn't use typical paint that you'd put on a boat. I used AquaGuard paint made specifically for inflatables last season. It worked well.
 
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
he said it had a fiberglass bottom, so on that part most any antifouling would work- On the PVC, I have zero idea, but I wouldn't. I've used it on Hypalon , no problem
 

B-to

.
Dec 17, 2018
5
Beneteau OC 41.1 Sag Harbor
Appreciate the the responses, I would use an antifoul paint approved for PVC and Fiberglass, like an AquaGuard or Pettit Inflatable Antifoul at and below the waterline. I will look into the wax, curious if anyone on this forum had any experience with it. Otherwise, looks like I will go with an antifoul of some type.
 
  • Like
Likes: Bob J.
Mar 20, 2004
1,729
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
I've used the aquaguard for years on our dinghy that stays in the water in the harbor - works well, and sticks well to the boat - not a problem when you deflate and roll it up for the winter
 
  • Like
Likes: Mickstr
Jul 29, 2017
169
Catalina 380 Los Angeles
I have been using an ordinary auto paste wax on the bottom of my inflatable for a couple of years. In case any one cares, most everything wipes off with a cloth even after a couple of weeks in the water.:beer:. I'd rather spend time doing 12 oz. curls than cleaning the bottom of the dingy.:cowbell:
 
Jul 27, 2011
4,989
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
IMHO, the only viable option to applying a durable anti-fouling paint or coating if the thing must stay in the water at a dock is to haul it out weekly to clean the bottom. In the long run, it will be less work than a biweekly cleaning schedule or repeated applications of “temporary” coatings.