Saga47swan Sailing · video

What this video covers

After one season of cruising, Skipper Chris reports on the performance of Hempel's SILIC ONE, a non-biocide, silicone-based antifouling system applied to the Swan 47 Saga.0:01 The system is a three-stage process: one coat of conversion primer, a tie coat to bond silicone to the hull, and two topcoats.0:27 The old antifoul was stripped before application rather than painted over, and the work was done inside a shed to avoid wind, rain, and sun — conditions Hempel flags as critical alongside temperature, humidity, curing time, and pot life.0:27 After one season, barnacles present on the hull detach by hand.1:47 One significant drawback: the silicone surface is slippery enough to cause hull damage during haulout, and yards must be warned in advance.1:11 After reapplying one coat in March, Hempel claims SILIC ONE is good for two years.2:04 The crew plans to test that claim on a continuous 2025–2026 passage: Atlantic crossing to Newfoundland, south along the North American coast to the Bahamas and Caribbean, then on to Ushuaia, Patagonia.2:29 Silicone antifoul requires no sanding between seasons but demands careful yard communication to prevent haulout damage.

Boats in this video

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