Peter Volken Smidt – episode 12 – Electrifying a Contest 30

September 18, 2023
Series

Introduction Robust-MT Marine Technology BV

Those who cannot divide cannot multiply! We at Robust-MT Marine Technology BV believe that success is a combination of factors. Knowledge is just one of these, but it is useless without facilities, resources, capacities, etc. It is for this reason that we will never be frenetic about sharing knowledge or providing a platform to someone else who deserves it or when there are useful knowledge to be shared.

Previous episodes:

1. How it all started

2. Removing the old engine

3. A boat on dry land and the removal of remaining parts

4. A hole in my torso, what next…

5. Building up the layer thickness

6. Making a foundation

7. Peeling the underwater hull

8. Armor coat, everlasting protection

9. The (temporary) installation of the pod motor

10. Prepare the engine compartment

11. Installing the peripheral equipment

The antifouling

This is episode 12 of Peter Volken Smidt's conversion report. Many choices need to be made in the process of making a boat more sustainable. This began with the decision to renovate an old boat. Considering all the chemicals needed to extend the boat's lifespan, one might wonder if that outweighs building a new one. Economically, I think so; in terms of environmental impact, building a new boat is still quite substantial. The same applies to electrifying the engine; all the raw materials needed to produce the battery are also scarce, and is that worth it?

A final step is choosing the antifouling. Especially after sanding the product, I realized that this is definitely something I don't want to release into the environment. Therefore, I'm looking for an environmentally friendly alternative that's suitable for relatively slow-moving boats, pesticide-free, and easy to maintain. Furthermore, I don't want to take my boat out of the water every year, so it needs to be able to function for at least two years.

There are more and more suppliers claiming to have a good alternative to the old traditional and unfortunately also polluting antifouling.

However, two products emerged that I considered very suitable. Since January 2023, International has had its B-free explore product, a biocide-free fouling agent. Hempel has also had Silic One for several years, which is similar to International's product.

Because the first product mentioned wasn't delivered on time for my boat, I decided to use Hempel's Silic One. After some inquiries, it turned out I could apply the Silic One tiecoat (the bonding layer) directly to the armor coating. After the tiecoat, two coats of Silic One are sufficient to keep me sailing for at least two years.

As the name suggests, the base is formed by silicone. This silicone doesn't release into the water but prevents it from adhering to the surface. Regular boating keeps the layer free of fouling, and otherwise, a summer dip in the water armed with a soft sponge is also a good way to keep the boat free of fouling.

Applying the tiecoat and silicone still requires careful planning. There are quite strict requirements regarding temperature, follow-up times, and humidity. And especially now that spring hasn't really arrived yet, this poses a challenge.

About us

Robust-MT Marine Technology BV is located in Monster on the edge of the water-rich Westland . Located in South Holland between Rotterdam and The Hague, but also near Delft and the North Sea. Our showroom and workshop are also located on a main waterway. We also have a berth on the Haringvliet, near Zeeland, where we can also arrange trial runs. We also work with a renowned yacht builder and shipyard in Woubrugge near Amsterdam and North Holland. This location also has its own port, a large crane as well as a heated and unheated warehouse. In summary, no matter how big or small your project is, we can provide you with the products and support you need.

About our products

Do you want to buy a new electric motor for your boat or, for example, convert an existing boat to electric propulsion? Everything you need to make your project a success is available in our webshop We offer the widest range in the Netherlands in the field of electric motors and drive systems for pleasure boating and at the best prices. We also distinguish ourselves through our own experiences with electrification of existing boats and therefore guarantee that your expensive purchase also leads to a positive experience. products on sale in our webshop , we post our own test reports in our blog page and we also offer complete sets of motor, battery and all additional required equipment. Our homepage also contains a number of reviews and ratings from satisfied customers, we would like to add your review here.