More than skin deep – Part II

And Dobbs Davis discovers that the company which gave the world ski wax may now have something pretty exciting for sailors...

Enter the nanotubes
The recent explosion of interest in nanomaterials prompted German-based finishes specialists Holmenkol to adopt nanomaterial technology in their AquaSpeed line of hull coatings. Many years after its founder first opened up the market, Holmenkol remains a world leader in the production of high-performance coatings for skis, but more recently the company has been focusing on providing easy-to-apply but sophisticated marine coatings with good durability as a key parameter.

AquaSpeed is a liquid, but based on the element silicon (not to be confused with common silicones), where its components self-assemble to generate an ultra-thin, multi-layered coating. This self-assembling process takes place within 10 minutes of application while the coating is drying. The self-assembling technology ensures complete even coverage of the gelcoat surface, which seen under a microscope will usually be found to be surprisingly uneven.

Use of AquaSpeed is claimed to provide a stable, nano-thin coating that makes the surface totally smooth and so improves gliding properties. One difference to other coatings is that its immersed life is about a week, an important characteristic for an effective regatta coating which would be useless if it was washed away quickly.

Holmenkol claim the nanomaterial coating is so dense and strong that the hull is protected from growth for the duration of a typical regatta period. The hull also becomes extremely slippery and smooth, so contamination hardly has a chance to attach.

Jutta Glückselig of Holmenkol explains that, by comparison, traditional Teflon waxes are loosely polished onto the coarse gelcoat surface and so provide protection against water and dirt immediately after polishing. 'But the problem is,' she says, 'that after a short time the Teflon particles are washed out and only the wax is left. And dirt will stick on the wax. A superficial wax surface will thus increase rather than reduce friction...'

To read the remainder of this and many other articles, please purchase your copy of the July 2008 edition of Seahorse International Sailing available at selected newsstands or by calling: + 44 (0) 1590 671899 or by email at: subscriptions@seahorse.co.uk

Individual copies as well as subscriptions can both be purchased online at: www.seahorsemagazine.com