Sailing Zephyr IVvideo
How UltraSonic Antifouling actually stops boat slime
May 24, 2025 · 10 min · 5K views
What this video covers
Ultrasonic antifouling systems prevent hull growth by using transducers to project high-frequency sound waves between 20 kHz and 45 kHz through the boat's hull.2:20 These waves create microscopic bubbles on the hull surface that implode, destroying bacteria and microorganisms before they can form a biofilm or provide anchor points for barnacles and algae.4:39 Effectiveness depends heavily on hull material; steel and aluminum transmit sound best, while solid fiberglass performs adequately.5:57 Cored fiberglass requires cutting through the core to mount transducers directly to the outer skin, and wooden hulls are generally unsuitable.6:03 On Zephyr IV, two transducers are epoxied to the hull—one to port forward of the keel and one to starboard aft of the keel.6:59 The system requires constant power, drawing approximately 7 watts, or 0.5 amps at 12 volts.7:47 Ultrasonic antifouling works best as a preventative measure rather than a removal tool for existing growth.5:15
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