The best reaction

Synergy antifouling

Cornwall-based Reactive Resins has spent four years developing what it describes as an “entirely new antifouling treatment that will last ten years.” It’s a copper-based antifouling which in itself is nothing new. The big difference with this one however, is that it is not bound by epoxy resin, which is inherently impermeable, but instead uses a new waterborne thermoset resin binder. Reactive Resins claims that this allows it to “withstand the sort of conditions that make other applications much less effective.”

Synergy, as this new system is called, allows copper ions to leech to the surface when immersed in salt water, quickly reacting with oxygen within the water to form cuprous oxide. Salt converts the cuprous oxide to cupric hydrochloride which doesn’t adhere to it and easily washes away with any attached growth, revealing fresh cuprous oxide. The theory is that it reduces the rate at which copper washes out for a longer-lasting and more environmentally friendly coating.

Annual maintenance is a simple pressure wash, with no abrading necessary.

Approximately £600 for a typical 30ft powerboat (materials only). Contact www.reactiveresins.com

Junior’s blissfully simple system of LED lights and graphics, the Zambezi’s small, backlit LCD panel is hard to read, difficult to understand and incredibly fiddly to use. I constantly found myself having to refer to the user manual and even then I was never quite sure if I’d got the right setting. I can see why they’ve had to change it to take account of all the new features but I can’t believe there isn’t a simpler, more intuitive solution. It’s a shame because the new Zambezi is ideally suited to boating applications and does an even better job of keeping large boats warm, dry and mildew free than its sibling models. If they can crack the latter it would merit the full five stars. Hugo

www.meaco.com

Brim the fuel tank. A full tank leaves less room for condensation to form which can encourage the growth of the dreaded diesel bug

3Top up your batteries if required and if possible, take them home for the occasional trickle charge. But only do this if your boat’s ashore – if wintering afloat, you need to maintain power to your automatic bilge pumps!