Note, when reading this, that these products are not direct competitors, but rather a sampling of available antifouling technologies. For instance, Interlux makes a water-based antifoulant and Pettit offers a copper-free antifoulant. Keep in mind, as you read, that the type of technology used will account for many differences in coverage, launch times and so forth, as opposed to any brand difference.

I’m putting three antifouling coatings to the test. But this isn’t a head-to-head shootout. While all three are somewhat environmentally friendly, each achieves that status with a different twist. So this is not an apples-to-apples comparison. What I intend to show here is the efficacy of three different available coating technologies from which you can now choose if you’re seeking a clean conscience to go with a clean bottom.

In a recent post, I shared what I learned while maintaining boats for others as a paying proposition, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. To show that I still practice what I preach, check out this shot of my 1997 Regulator 23. Built in 1996, its dark blue finish is serving its 14th season in sun and salt. Pretty cool, huh?

The Coast Guard began a controlled burn of the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico today, April 28, 2010, that resulted from the fire, explosion and subsequent sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig last week. According to officials, booms will consolidate oil into several-thousand-gallon batches, which will be burned for an estimated hour each.