In the warm waters of the Mediterranean, an unprotected hull is covered in weed, tubeworm and barnacles within a few weeks. You notice it straight away: higher fuel consumption, lower speed and an engine working harder than it should. Antifouling is the paint that prevents that growth, and in Mallorca it is one of the most important jobs of the year.
How often should you antifoul?
For a boat that spends the season in the water, the norm in the Balearics is once a year. The best time is late winter or early spring, so the paint is fresh just as the water warms up and growth accelerates. Boats that cruise a lot, or stay moored all year, may need a mid-season check.
Signs your hull needs it
- The boat has lost cruising speed at the same revs.
- Fuel consumption has gone up for no obvious reason.
- When diving or hauling out you see a green or brown film, or tubeworm on the propeller and drive.
- The previous paint is flaking off.
How a proper antifouling job is done
- Haul-out and pressure wash as soon as the boat is lifted, before the growth dries.
- Sanding of the old coat and repair of small gelcoat damage.
- Primer on bare areas, or when switching to a different type of paint.
- Two coats of antifouling, with a third on the waterline and leading edges, where wear is highest.
- Relaunch within the window specified by the paint manufacturer.
Use the haul-out to check everything else
Lifting a boat takes time and money, so it makes sense to check everything that can only be seen out of the water:
- Sacrificial anodes: if they have lost more than half their volume, replace them. They protect the propeller, shaft and drive from galvanic corrosion.
- Propeller: dings, pitting or bent blades cause vibration and lost performance.
- Through-hulls and seacocks: they should open and close smoothly and show no corrosion.
- Stern gland or shaft seal and sterndrive bellows.
A clean hull can save a significant share of the fuel you burn in a season.
Antifouling in Palma and all over Mallorca
At Ocean Pro Nautic we arrange the haul-out, prepare the hull, apply the antifouling and check anodes, propeller and through-hulls in a single job. Ask us for a quote with your boat’s length and type, or see all our services.
