How to stop Barnacles from attaching to Styrofoam?

[McIntoshUSA]

I am looking at making a floating dock out of Styrofoam blocks for my dinghy. Is there a method/substance that I can use to prevent barnacles from adhering to the Styrofoam?


Thanks, Mike

 

[Steve Dion]

Mike:

You may want to check with your local authorizing entity to see if it is legal to use un-encapsulated foam for docks. Many authorities require that the styrofoam is encapsulated.

 

[KD3PC]

barnacles can adhere to almost anything....short of copper coating your blocks, there is little you can do....and in some parts of the country, copper coating things is against the regulations.

Many states and localities are trying to ban styrofoam products altogether.

 

[sea_casper]

Use a marine bottom paint.
If you don't want to use a copper based paint, I suggest Pettit Hydrocoat ECO, which uses zinc, it has worked well on my boat, you should use float drums or encapsulate the foam.
Some use plastic sheeting around the foam, and replace every year. The barnacles still grow but don't accumulate from year to year.