Does anyone have information or views on antifoulings compatible with aluminium? Since tri butyl tin (TBT) was banned internationally we have used a US non-metallic product manufactured in Falmouth, Mass, by E Paints, with great success. This product SN-1, is used by the US Coast Guard on their aluminium craft and we have found it to have excellent antifouling properties in the Caribbean and the east coast of the USA and Canada (warm and cold waters).

One problem is that this product is not available outside the USA and, contemplating a move to European waters in 2013 we are already wondering what effective products are available in Europe?

John,
No not scientific at all I 'm afraid. The trouble is I don 't have that much faith in my soldering iron to risk an early season haul out and paint when the ultrasound proves useless! And that 's been the problem with all the written up trials I have seen. None have been properly scientifically evaluated despite companies charging megabucks for some pretty simple electronics. In reality what I am hoping for is that it will keep the prop free of growth as it is mounted adjacent to it and, hopefully, increase the amount of time between haul outs. I 'll have a subjective idea after a year as to whether it 's made any difference at all. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Simon