Micanti Thorn-D antifouling

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Oct 19, 2011
181
Hunter 42 Passage San Diego, CA
I am doing my research to prepare for bottom painting. antifouling bottom paint around San Diego is a topic of discussion with the copper based paints taking it on the chin. So, I found a membrane system called Micanti Thorn-D and it is reportedly supposed to eliminate hull cleaning but it is expensive. So, has anyone out there had any experience with Thorn-D? Good or bad or indifferent??? Thanks! Sandy
 
Feb 26, 2011
1,440
Achilles SD-130 Alameda, CA
I am doing my research to prepare for bottom painting. antifouling bottom paint around San Diego is a topic of discussion with the copper based paints taking it on the chin. So, I found a membrane system called Micanti Thorn-D and it is reportedly supposed to eliminate hull cleaning but it is expensive. So, has anyone out there had any experience with Thorn-D? Good or bad or indifferent??? Thanks! Sandy
The manufacturer makes some pretty bold claims, so that's a red flag right off the bat, IMHO. Like the fibers don't cause any drag. Excuse me? The stuff looks like astroturf glued to the hull. How can that not be causing drag? They claim the fibers "smoothen" (is that even a word?) the water flow. Yeah, right. For my money, it ain't gonna make you faster and there's only one alternative. But my biggest issue is that it seems to be primarily designed to reduce shell fouling, which is not the primary type of fouling in California. I can't imagine it does much against algae and bacterial slime.

In any event, my advice is don't be the guinea pig for an unproven anti fouling technology. It almost never ends well. :D
 
Oct 19, 2011
181
Hunter 42 Passage San Diego, CA
The manufacturer makes some pretty bold claims, so that's a red flag right off the bat, IMHO. Like the fibers don't cause any drag. Excuse me? The stuff looks like astroturf glued to the hull. How can that not be causing drag? They claim the fibers "smoothen" (is that even a word?) the water flow. Yeah, right. For my money, it ain't gonna make you faster. There's only one alternative. But my biggest issue is that it seems to be primarily designed to reduce shell fouling, which is not the primary type of fouling in California. I can't imagine it does much against algae and bacterial slime.

In any event, my advice is don't be the guinea pig for an unproven anti fouling technology. It almost never ends well. :D
Yep, I like to be first to be second IF being second is not as huge risk. one problem is I can't find anyone who has had experience with the system and I agree, astroturf glued to the bottom of the boat has to create drag unless the water that is caught in the astroturf creates a liquid film......but that is stretching it isn't it?!
 
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