Smooth Operator | Antifouling 2026
Every spring you haul the boat and face the truth: whatever speed you had last season is living under a layer of slime and barnacles. So you grind it back and start over. No rocket science. Just willingness to spend time in the shed. Or to get help.
- Grinding with 120 paper
- 5 x layers International Gelshield 200
- Grinding 180 dry paper
- Grinding 240 dry paper
- 4 x layers International Trilux Hard Anifouling
- Grinding with water sanding paper: 360; 500; 600; 1000
New season we should be ok with step 5 & 6.
One note: this isn’t a one-time commitment. Every 2-3 weeks during the season, you’ll be back down there with a polishing pad, buying yourself another week of speed before the water takes it back.
That’s racing.
2026-07-08 @ 08:43
Tack Peter
2026-07-08 @ 18:17
Do you paint 4 layers trilux every year?
2026-07-08 @ 18:35
I don’t think so.
We started with four coats, then sanded back one or two to get the finish we were after. My current plan is to sand it back next year, apply two fresh coats, and repeat the process as needed.
Still experimenting, though, so I’ll know more after another season.