Barnacle Prevention

I'd like to know too. An hybrid system is probably the way to go. With limited solar power of course.
On another forum, i am considering a dingy flying hovercraft, you can see those on youtube. On that gismo too i will need to consider fauling, and fowling ... but that i resolved, i live in duck and seagull paradise. AIS is a must for me.

 

michael,
it is probably too later to ask and a "bit" out if this thread, but i am looking to use the same piloting wireless for the dingy-flying-hovercraft as for the "mother cat" , of course there will be an override simple mecanical basic system if the wifi/remote fails, and all that will be remotely controled by android or iphone apps. I am studying what we will be using and will be programming accordingly. This is a late 2012 project and perhaps early to mid 2013.
I see you are going to enjoy an AIS system, smart move !
For your info, i am considering using cameras for 360° vision with either (probably 2) 1,2, 3 small projectors for steering, i can have all the windows on the same image projected on a 100 inch diag. vinyl screen. (of course it is possible to see thru a windshield if the projector(s) fail) This opens to many possibilities, zooming , nightvision, recording, radar giant screen, rain clear vision, you name it. For example, on the dingy on the way back, i can see what is going on at the mothercat with Skype, all that at the touch of a finger. Light, cheap, i use those for my work and it will only get better. I'll bet it would be , if not already, easily done incorporating the AIS into my system. I wonder if Google will see the weather instant forecast possibilities in concert with AIS and land arrival sites videoing.
At one point i wonder if it will be logical to go to all that trouble if one can travel without moving one foot. But i doubt internet and all the wifi will replace a nice very shallow spot where i can surfkite with my friends. I wonder if teleportation will be any fun, not if the receiver runs out of ink ... sort to say. AND, i am still talking about Okoume/epoxy boat and bamboo hybrid bicycles, paradoxal in$'t it !
We should work on getting the barnacles on facebook and leave our hulls alone !
Piracy is one thing that will stop me from exploring certain areas.
Mike

 

Under what conditions (currents, tide) did you test the system?

I did some calculations based on the data supplied by Brightspark, which isn't very generous. The system releases 14 milligrams of copper ions per minute, giving a concentration in the 20x8 meters ellipse of approx. 0.1 mg/ sq.m.
With a tidal current of only 1 knot, this "ion cloud" is displaced 30 meters/min., so the concentration between the electrodes is virtually zero.

My guess is that it only can work in a pond.

 

CDK,
I tested it in a harbour exposed mainly to wind induced currents (sometimes quite strong winds from the NE) as well as tidal currents. Superficial current was cleary visible thanks to the sea debris in suspension, but I didn't measure speed. BrightSaprk claims the system works in 3 knots currents and I know it has been tested in open waters in navigational & oceanographic buoys with good results.

Cheers.

 

I guess in moving waters, i suspect poluted waters ? the addition of a somewhat vacuumed underwater hull "condom" could be a nice add-on. We have a good 3knts current and with lowering tide goes up to 5-6 knots depending on season. But again, my program is 95% stationnary so the "tarp" easy to remove them on a cat, is the way to go. Then again, perhaps a good toxic or not so toxic anti-fouling paint makes sence.
So far, i had good results with teflon (clear) and a copper based. In both salt and fresh waters, but mostly fresh waters with lots of algeas. I understand this system is with dipped anodes.

 

Barnacles

I searched barnacles on this site but did not come up with anything.

Anyway, a friend of mine was talking about taking his boat out and his speed was restricted due to growths of sea creatures on the hull of his boat.

As such he was winging about them.

After reading problems people have with ice in cold countries, I reminded him he was lucky only putting up with barnacles.

After he asked how they dealt with the problem I advised him one of the ways was agitating the water with air bubbles.

He then pondered the effectiveness of using air bubbles to prevent barnacles from forming on the hull of a boat.

What is the general consensus?

 

Interesting idea!
I can imagine that it really works: the hull surfaces where water flow is the lowest are the preferred places for barnacle growth.
So it should be part of the infrastructure in a modern marina. Large aquarium pumps creating bubbles in the center of each berth.

 

Yeah but you would be antifouling every 6 months even if you didnt go anywhere.

What about the bouancy of the boats above it not to mention the noise for live aboard sleeping.

What about tamerping with the barnacles DNA and make them die, - all of them. I mean what good do they do. What is thier purpose anyway.

 

Apparently Flatworms eat them.....Scooter blennys,six line wrasse damsels, and other small fish eat the flatworms ........bigger fish eat the little fish.....all you need to do is train those flatworms to stay put .....

 

Barnacles make keel-hauling more effective.

 

See thread: ‘‘Barnacle Prevention’’ check post - #53 - #57 - #66 - but read the whole tread for more tips and evaluations . . . . .

Still miss Richard / Apex1

Cheers,
Angel

 

What about asking the Moderator to move this thread to the Materials Forum or to merge it into the Barnacle Prevention thread . . ? ?

Cheers,
Angel

PS - I've flagged this post for the Moderator and asked to look at the suggestion.

 

I was thinking about these little green porous blocks they use in an aquarium, just larger. Small bubbles make a soothing sound, like the shrimps and seahorses eating algae during quiet nights at sea.

 

Well I've learnt a lot from your helpful suggestions.

Frosty, the idea is to prevent the use of antifouling. The boat is penned and no-one is sleeping on board. You must realise this Western Australia there is nowhere to take your boat too.

However you and Boat Fan have given me an idea. Mix the DNA of Barnacles with Flatworm. You end up with Barnacles that eat themselves.

Taking Hoytedows suggestion a little further, I'll suggest he keel hauls his wife armed with a pot scourer.

Another question, would you think that the bursting bubbles at the surface would cause cavitation at the waterline.

 

small crabs eat barnacles too. Can you create crabs for the purpose of removing barnacles from boat hulls? It would be a totally "green" business, when the crabs get large you harvest them.