Antifouling lifehack 1: Special bracing timbers for full-surface antifouling, even on the supports
If the fouling protection on the underwater hull is refreshed, it is not possible to reach some areas with a brush or roller: these are the baffle areas and the underside of the keel. This can at least be remedied on the supports. Many owners simply unscrew the two front ones, paint them and then tighten them again, and then proceed in the same way aft. However, we didn't like the fact that the boat was only held up by two supports while the paint was drying. This option seemed too unsafe, especially on a windy day. Instead of securing the boat with additional supports, we made special bracing timbers ourselves. These are swapped for the normal timbers after the first coat of paint. This means that each support only needs to be loosened briefly. Then all areas are painted and the boat stands securely until the antifouling has dried and the bracing timbers are replaced.
Ullrich Döbler, Kiel
Antifouling lifehack 2:Threaded rod to prevent smallpox in shipboard culverts
In the past, we have had the problem that some of the side passages have become overgrown over the course of the season. That's why we now thoroughly protect them against overgrowth. To do this, we use a piece of threaded rod (a long screwdriver or a brush handle will also do) and two or three squares of cloth whose edge length should be slightly larger than the diameter of the pipe. We stick these onto the threaded rod. With this aid, the antifouling can be distributed very well in the through-hull passage.
Wolfgang Dinse, Kiel
Antifouling lifehack 3:Cordless screwdriver as a mixer for paint and varnish
If you want to mix 2K paints and primers or antifouling, you will probably soon realise that standard plastic mixers cannot cope with the sediment. However, it is precisely this base at the bottom of the can that contains the important pigments or, in the case of antifouling, the biocides. We therefore made a metal mixer from half a pipe clip with a threaded socket and a threaded rod. Clamped into a cordless screwdriver or drill, it makes a great stirrer.
Klaus Breuer, Swisttal
Antifouling Lifehack 4:Colour spatula for gaps
The narrow gap between the rudder blade and the hull cannot be reached with conventional brushes or rollers. Without antifouling, however, barnacles thrive there. We have therefore converted a spatula into a special brush. The leading edge is bent to half the thickness of the rudder blade and covered with felt. This is then coated generously with antifouling, and the top of the blade can now also be painted.
Karl Wager, Gottmadingen
Do you have any advice for other sailors?
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