Ultrasonic antifouling for speed boats
Speed boats can’t reach the speed of sound, in fact, they are not even close – the current world record is listed at 276 knots, which is still not even half way to the speed of sound. And while supersonic speeds will remain outside of reach for some time, there are ultrasonic solutions that are available now. Not in terms of speed, but in terms of high frequency electromagnetic waves used for speed boat antifouling!
Overachievers in the world of boat racing are obsessed with the performance of their boats, especially with the hydrodynamic properties of the hull. The boat must be optimally streamlined for minimal drag, which means that any deformation will hinder the maximum obtainable speed of the vessel. Antifouling is crucial in keeping the hull clean and hydrodynamic – no wonder that the only solution good enough is ultrasonic antifouling, which is known for its great results and some other attractive features that seem specially made with speed boat operators in mind.
The systems used for speed boat antifouling can’t interfere with the streamlined surface of the hull. Most of the antifouling coatings are out of the question – they produce drag and hinder the performance of the boat, and they are ablative, changing the properties of the hull with time. Ultrasonic antifouling doesn’t affect the hull. It works from within the vessel, not requiring any adjustments on the surface of the hull. And even if you’re worried about microscopic vortices or ultrasonic waves, the system can be simply turned off when the boat is in use. Speed boat antifouling is most important in prolonged period of rest, when the system can be switched on to prevent fouling. This is the most elegant and certainly the most effective solution for antifouling a speed boat!
