Since having the hull cleaned (but not re anti-fouled) and re-launched back in May I have been keen to revisit and see how effective the Ultra Sonic kit has been working. I’m delighted to say that we are just back from Barcelona and I am pleased with the cleanliness of the hull as can be seen from the pontoon – such a difference to the situation prior to me fitting this piece of kit.

Nothing can be 100% perfect and there is some barnacle (?) growth that can be seen through the water and a bit of slime but virtually no weed growth is visible. Based on this three month spell I am convinced that the investment is proving to have been worthwhile. Final verification will be when “Sun Dog” is next lifted out the water later this year/early 2014 and we can see the extent of fouling and also if there are any parts of the hull isolated from the effects of the ultrasonic.

It’s fair to say that I was a wee bit sceptical of ultrasonic antifouling at the outset, but given the results so far on a hull based in Barcelona (warm water) I am more than a happy bunny.

One clear and tangible bonus that the system works, is that in moving the boat this time, the bowthruster tube was sufficiently clear and thus worked perfectly – now that did put a smile on my face – as previously it has been blocked with weed growth. This is normally a pain in the rump given the limited manoeuvring space my current berth affords.

Even though we were chuffed at this working so well, I did have reservations about running this ultra sonic antifouling system 24/7/365, but when I called the company I was reassured by Nick Griffin that their system can be left running with no detrimental effects to the hull. He directed me to the testimonials page on his web site which I found extremely comforting, especially the testimonial from Miss Behave a Beneteau 50 based in Hong Kong.

Check out this and all the other testimonials – as they do back up my own findings thus far.