When it comes to preventing algae growth on boat reefs, Coppercoat not only lasts a very long time, but is designed to be a far more effective solution than any of its competitors. In fact, Coppercoat has the highest copper content, as well as the strongest surface tint, of any product on the market. Coppercoat's high performance has made it particularly popular in racing circles. From national teams (such as Sally Dugdale, UK Yeoman Champion) to racing drivers such as Nautical UK's Jim Barham who is a long-time winter racing champion at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, Olympic medal winners such as Keith Musto, but all more captains becoming Coppercoat followers. For example the 72nd Oystercatcher which was a winner at the Rolex Antigua Sail Week (Performance Cruising Class 1) uses Coppercoat. The owner of this particular boat, which cost more than $3 million, built it to weigh several tons less than the conventional 73rd Oyster and concluded that the Coppercoat gave it a significant performance advantage.
Please note that this speedboat has not simply come from a hull cleaning job (a conventional coat of topcoat doesn't last long anyway), but has come from using Coppercoat in the first place. Conventional surface paints absorb water (which alters their biocidal effect) causing them to swell and increase in weight. This adds friction and slows the boat down, which is why dry sailing (ie sailing without reef) is faster. Coppercoat, in contrast, is resin-based and does not absorb water. It does not swell, does not weigh down and does not add friction to the boat. Coppercoat is the ideal solution and provides the high performance associated with dry sailing and reef protection.
Of course, the benefit of good performance is not limited to yacht racers – motorboat owners constantly report increased performance of their boats with simultaneous fuel savings and greater boat speed at lower engine speeds. It's no surprise that even the UK's largest and most expensive motorboat industry (the 12 million 37M Tri-Deck Sunseeker, as seen at the London Boat Show 2009) uses Coppercoat. In fact, all Sunseeker boats delivered to the Middle East have Coppercoat as standard equipment, as experiments have shown that on average, each boat achieves an increase in speed of up to 2 knots (compared to tests against reefs freshly painted with conventional reef paint). . The production manager at Sunseeker International's super-yacht line reported a 4-knot increase in the top speed of his personal 34ft Portofino speedboat.
Coppercoat only uses copper above 99% purity – this guarantees the maximum possible production of antifouling oxide.
Tests show that products using lower pure copper content, or weaker alloys such as copper nickel, have significantly reduced antifouling performance (due to the slower release and production rate of its oxide).
The average copper purity of Coppercoat, when measured on a curve, is over 83% of its volume. Coupled with its small particle size, this unique combination allows Coppercoat to create and release a more active anti-marine fouling oxide that protects more effectively than any other product, making it the most powerful and copper-rich product on the market .
Coppercoat's proven long-term performance is unmatched – as evidenced by the myriad of customers now enjoying their 16th, 17th and 18th seasons of clean reefs!