Overview & Benefits
Solving time and cost for Applicators
Velox Plus, a specialist marine anti-foul paint for metals, has been in the international market for over 30 years, Australia for 10+, and was relaunched nationally post-Covid by Boating Products.
With impressive results for customers running everything from cray-boats and sports fishing boats, luxury catamarans and race yachts, in this blog we focus on the Applicators.
Our boat-owner customers are highly enthusiastic about the benefits of Velox Plus, but what about the Applicators?
We are always keen to hear from those working hard on the slipways and on the docks preparing boats for a summer of fun, typically time conscious/time poor but also keen to provide the best product and solution for their customers (typically boat or fleet operators).
What the Applicators are saying
Ultimately, we know Applicators are adverse to change. Why Change? Why do anything?
Applicators tell us that Velox Plus might very well be great for the boat owner, but they know what they know and aren't inclined to do anything differently. Silicon Foul Release is a known proposition; it's rinse and repeat.
The disconnect is clear though; the passionate enthusiasm of boat owners versus the resistance to change from some Applicators. It's on us to communicate that disconnect, and build the case for change by making folk aware of the benefits, solutions and boat owner outcomes.
In this article we explore
- [BENEFITS] how there are compelling benefits to be had from using Velox Plus; and
- [SOLUTION] how by coming at the schedule with fresh eyes, by combining the running gear anti-foul steps in with the broader haul-out the Applicator can get around the common line that "using Velox Plus adds to the overall haul-out time".
- [OUTCOME] how ultimately, it's about giving the Applicator & Applicator's customer the best outcome possible
Benefits of Velox Plus
So in the end, the benefits of Velox Plus vary depending on the hat you are wearing. Again; the focus here is Applicators.
Applicator Benefits
- Health & Safety
- Less grinding means dramatically less exposure to silicon and zinc chromate dust.
- Flexibility
- The application need not be solely performed at the end of the haul-out. This means better ability to juggle jobs as things change during the haul out process.
- Specialisation
- We accept that some Applicators will always stick with Foul Release for spinning parts but the option exists to have a blended solution; use Velox Plus for the metals/sail drives that don't spin.
- Price
- On average half the cost at RRP
- Silicon contamination
- Without silicon in play the risk of blotching is greatly reduced. The Applicator in the bay next door will be grateful 🧜🏻♀️🔱
- Best-in-class Outcome for Boat Owners
- Finally of course, Applicators can sleep easy knowing they are providing a solution that is "best in class"!
- Outcome Confidence & Trust > sold now for 30+ years, with 100,000+ applications per year, there are more than enough data points for boat owners to feel confident that Velox Plus "works"
- Durability > dries as a very hard paint, providing superb protection from stray lines, flotsam and jetsam
- Serviceability > dive and scrub without specialized equipment or skills
- Galvanic Protection > acknowledged leader in this field
- Marine Growth Protection > no dangerous, razor sharp barnacles and marine forest on the gantry et cetera 🌿🌊🥬🧜🏻♂️
- Adhesion > excellent adhesion in high pressure areas incl. IPS & duo-props, not susceptible to "prop burn" (typically delamination from multiple layers of etch primer)
- Colours > Velox Plus comes in a range of colours, to suit the requirement. Typically, sterndrives are black and under-hull in white or grey. Black or white can be added, to create the perfect shade of grey if needed.
#1 Applicator 'Problem'
Typical Schedule using Foul Release
If you are used to an anti-foul schedule involving a Foul Release (silicon) on your running gear then your haul out will look like this;
- Haul out / Pressure Wash / Strip Hull / Anti-foul hull
- plus any hull maintenance
- and hull wax and buff where relevant
- Finally, Strip Running Gear / Apply Silicon Foul Release
- Launch
Problem Statement
The problem statement we hear from time poor applicators is that Velox Plus makes the job take longer, because it's more coats (than silicon foul release). If you simply follow the schedule above, but replace your Foul Release with Velox Plus then this will be true.
This legacy schedule exists because of the insidious nature of silicon dust. It is known to blotch hull jobs, hence running gear is done at the end, once everything else is complete.
If silicon is removed from the schedule then there is no longer a need to attend to the running gear at the end of the job.
Solution
Ask an Expert
For the solution we have talked to Fremantle's Gary Martin. Gary has over 48 years of experience in the field, and in that time has painted &/or anti-fouled - either personally or via his team - over 7,500 vessels. We lean heavily on his expertise in this article. You can read more about Gary at the end of the article.
Silicon
Removing silicon from the site at the earliest opportunity is the key to the schedule. This gives complete flexibility to tune the haul-out programme to suit your job tasks.
What changes?
Move the running gear strip from the end to the front, together with the hull strip, at the beginning of the job. From there many more options open up for you.
Also, by being more lateral and less blinkered about what you can do with Velox Plus vs a silicon Foul Release this allows for a better outcome because you can better define up-front what will be protected by Velox Plus. This is discussed in more detail below.
How to cost up?
Start by pricing the same as you would for any job. Gary's experience is that you should be saving time as you get your head around the new schedule.
Revised Paint Schedule
Typical Schedule using Velox Plus
We suggest your haul out schedule should look like this;
- Pressure Wash
- Strip Hull
- Running Gear, remove anti-foul
- Hull, remove anti-foul
- Hose down and make sure site is clear of silicon dust
- Prime running gear
- Final clean and scuff/key
- Mark out and prime (etch primer, if in use + metal primer)
- Tape up and protect until ready for Velox Plus
- Perform any hull repairs or maintenance
- Anti-foul hull
- Polish hull, if needed
- Anti-foul running gear (2-3 coats of Velox Plus)
- Launch
The schedule gives you flexibility to run tasks in parallel as needed. For example you can strip the running gear & hull together if you have man-power. Or perform repairs to the hull while the running gear is primed.
In year 1, Applicators under time pressure may prefer to apply two coats only of Velox Plus, knowing that they will be hauling out within 12 months. The manufacturer Marlin Yacht Paints advises two coats. In Australia we recommend three because we see boats being left in for more than 12 months, and for a bullet proof solution.
As mentioned above, don't be blinkered into thinking Velox Plus is applied "where-ever you had Foul Release". They work fundamentally differently, wherein Velox Plus can be used on all metals or high growth areas (not just parts that spin). Beyond just the running gear this includes;
- rudders
- sail drives
- through hull fittings
- hangers, frames & hull plates
- complex metals, including lifting gear for marlin boards
- trim tabs
- factory powder coated or epoxy primed surfaces, including those protecting aluminum
- bow thrusters
As well as brush and roller, Velox Plus (and primers) can be sprayed. This can be particularly appropriate for the transom area where a holistic solution is preferred.
Velox Plus is highly adhesive, and not susceptible to "prop burn" (delamination) in high pressure areas such as IPS and duo-props.
Velox Plus - Year 2+
What happens in Years 2+? Let's consult the manufacturer's site (Marlin Paints Painting Cycles) in regard to preparation;
SURFACES ALREADY TREATED WITH VELOX PLUS IN GOOD CONDITION: Pressure wash with fresh water and/or sand very lightly with fine paper or abrasive felt. Leave to dry well.
At this point we are back into the cycle;
- Touch up as needed with Marlin Yacht Paints Metal Primer, one coat
- Apply Marlin Yacht Paints Velox Plus, three coats
- Noting
- Every 3-6 years aim to completely remove the Metal Primer & Velox Plus and reset. Typically, if the majority of paint is still in place then this is not needed.
Years 2+ did I read that right, no sanding back to bare metal?
Yes.
Examples
Classic example with the red hull paint where Velox Plus has not been used for all metals in scope. In the other photo (dark grey hull) we see complete coverage of the frames, hull plates and rudder stock. Also shown is a through hull fitting, after two years of limited use and a haul out & pressure wash; Velox Plus is perfect for this use case. Galvanic protection means protect all metals with Velox Plus.
More about the author
Gary Martin
In Fremantle, Gary Martin is celebrated for his profound understanding of marine paint and anti-fouling techniques. In the 1980s, he was a trusted expert to teams competing in the America's Cup and the Whitbread Round the World Race. A few of the Whitbread yachts he assisted achieved world records for one-day offshore distances, with renowned sailors such as Dennis Conner and Chris Dickson turning to him for advice and preparation of their competitive yachts.
He is a past Commodore of Fremantle Sailing Club and has owned and raced many boats and yachts, including the stunning The Spell of Acrospire IV.
Gary started his work life back in 1975 as a automotive refinisher apprentice. Coming from a family who were heavily entrenched in the local yacht club, it wasn’t long before he was painting yachts too.
After his apprenticeship was completed Gary moved from automotive, and became the first tradesman spray painter in the marine industry in Western Australia. This included introducing the random orbital sander to the then fledgling industry.
Gary studied and subsequently qualified to become a Coatings Inspector with the Australasian Corrosion Association. This gave him an understanding of galvanic currents and electrical discharges on top of his deep practical knowledge from being involved in painting thousands of vessels.
Along came silicon coatings for metal work below the waterline however being a refinisher of high end topcoats, together with concern about contamination and health issues from the use and removal of silicone, he was prevented from heading down that path.
Gary was always on the lookout for new paint products that tried to solve some of the common problems associated with keeping vessels permanently immersed in water, be it salt or fresh.
Subsequently he found Marlin Yacht Paints, a marine paint manufacturer based in Trieste Italy, producing an anti-foul paint system for below waterline (BWL) metal work and running gear that contained no conductive metals in its product.
Gary performed his due diligence over many years and has gone on to recommend and use Marlin's Velox Plus for well over ten years now.
Guide to Antifoul Application Planning