Give it a few years. U. Florida has been studying shark and porpoise skin
for some time trying to produce a low friction non-depleting non-toxic
anti-fouling coating for the Navy. Last I heard they were in full scale
testing.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
...

I've been watching the olympic swimming and notice that nearly all of
the swimmers wear the new performance swimming suits. I did a bit of
research on the web and came up with the following quote from Speedo:

The LZR-Race suits promise to have 5 percent less drag than Speedo's
previous best FASTSKIN PRO suits that have helped break world records
in the past year. Speedo also claims swimmers will have 5% better
oxygen intake efficiency thanks to stronger core compression section
along the abdomen area.

I wonder whether this phenomena applies to boats? Should we be
attaching shark skin to our boats?

I have seen the dinghy sailors polishing the underwater surfaces of
their dinghys with 2,000 grit sandpaper and wonder whether this might
actually be the wrong thing to do.

Is there any empirical information regarding the application of this
technology to boats?

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct Address is bpaige125atgmaildotcom)

On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:14:57 -0400, "Glenn Ashmore"
wrote:

Give it a few years. U. Florida has been studying shark and porpoise skin
for some time trying to produce a low friction non-depleting non-toxic
anti-fouling coating for the Navy. Last I heard they were in full scale
testing.

I was under the impression that anti fouling paint, or copper sheets
for that matter, work only because they are toxic.

Casady

On Aug 16, 11:46*am, (Richard Casady)
wrote:
On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:14:57 -0400, "Glenn Ashmore"
wrote:

Give it a few years. *U. Florida has been studying shark and porpoise skin
for some time trying to produce a low friction non-depleting non-toxic
anti-fouling coating for the Navy. * Last I heard they were in full scale
testing.

I was under the impression that anti fouling paint, or copper sheets
for that matter, work only because they are toxic.

Casady

Thats true, unless you can find a new material that will not allow
anything to stick. Ever see a barney on a shark?

There were some "Snake Skin" coatings that were rolled on in 6 layers.
Once anything stuck the friction would make the paint layer shed. Ok
but major hassel to apply right.

Fred

Give it a few years. U. Florida has been studying shark and porpoise skin
for some time trying to produce a low friction non-depleting non-toxic
anti-fouling coating for the Navy. Last I heard they were in full scale
testing.

I was under the impression that anti fouling paint, or copper sheets
for that matter, work only because they are toxic.


It has something to do with the texture and flexibility. It is apparently a
thick coating that has a microscopic surface pattern that slime spores and
barnacles have a hard time binding to. It also flexes slightly under
varying water pressure so the barnacle cement pops off. A side benefit is
that those little bumps improve laminar flow reducing wetted surface drag.
Sort of like the dimples on a golf ball.
--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com

"Glenn Ashmore" writes:

It has something to do with the texture and flexibility. It is apparently a
thick coating that has a microscopic surface pattern that slime spores and
barnacles have a hard time binding to. It also flexes slightly under
varying water pressure so the barnacle cement pops off. A side benefit is
that those little bumps improve laminar flow reducing wetted surface drag.
Sort of like the dimples on a golf ball.

It is the other way around actually. The dimples of golf balls are
there to trip the boundary layer to make sure you get rid of the
laminar boundary layer.

--
Martin Schöön "Problems worthy of attack
show their worth by hitting back."
Piet Hein