New Boat Coating Boosts Speed Efficiency and Sustainability

Sea-Slide® Hull Coating: A New Era in Marine Performance

Imagine your vessel gliding effortlessly across the water's surface - a perfect balance of speed and control while contributing to marine conservation. This vision becomes reality with Sea-Slide® hull coating, a technological breakthrough transforming marine transportation.

Conventional marine coatings typically rely on copper or silicone-based materials that offer temporary protection against water absorption and biofouling. These solutions present significant drawbacks: copper-based paints release harmful metals into seawater, while silicone coatings degrade over time. Sea-Slide® emerges as a high-performance, environmentally conscious alternative that addresses these challenges.

Hydrophilic coatings, derived from "hydro" (water) and "philic" (affinity), create water-attracting surfaces that form thin lubricating liquid films. This technology dramatically reduces friction between surfaces and surrounding liquids, making it ideal for marine applications.

Hydromer®, Inc. pioneered the adaptation of hydrophilic coating technology for hull protection, resulting in Sea-Slide® - a product that represents both a performance breakthrough and an environmental commitment.

This user-friendly hydrophilic hull coating significantly reduces turbulent flow during navigation. Unlike traditional paints, vessels treated with Sea-Slide® experience reduced hydrodynamic drag, enabling smoother movement through water with increased speed and fuel efficiency.

The advanced water-based polyurethane interpolymer dispersion forms a durable, nearly invisible hydrophilic layer upon curing. When activated by water contact, the coating absorbs surrounding moisture to create a lubricating surface that also functions as an effective antifouling solution.

Designed for extended durability, Sea-Slide® typically lasts throughout an entire boating season. When reapplication becomes necessary, standard methods like spraying or rolling can be easily employed.

• 1. Enhanced Speed Through Reduced Drag

  Sea-Slide®'s water-attracting properties create an exceptionally smooth surface when wet, lowering interfacial energy and hydrodynamic drag by 9-16%. This reduction allows vessels to achieve higher speeds with less power, as confirmed by powerboat owners and racing teams in performance tests.

• 2. Improved Fuel Efficiency

  The coating's turbulence-reducing properties translate to measurable fuel savings across all vessel types. Commercial operators report significant reductions in operating costs, while recreational boaters enjoy extended cruising range with lower fuel expenditures.

• 3. Advanced Antifouling Protection

  Sea-Slide®'s unique composition inhibits marine organism attachment without incorporating toxic biocides. The hydrophilic polymer matrix maintains hull cleanliness and performance even in challenging marine environments.

• 4. Environmental Stewardship

  As maritime industries confront growing environmental concerns, Sea-Slide® offers a non-polluting, biocide-free solution. The insoluble, non-toxic coating protects marine ecosystems throughout its lifecycle without releasing harmful substances.

• 5. Simplified Application and Maintenance

  Applying Sea-Slide® requires standard tools and techniques. Proper hull preparation followed by brush, roller, or spray application ensures optimal results. The coating cures within 3-4 hours at temperatures above 50°F, becoming fully activated upon water contact.

• Recreational Boating

  From sailboats to personal watercraft, Sea-Slide® enhances navigation responsiveness while reducing operating costs. Even small aluminum fishing boats benefit from improved handling characteristics.

• Competitive Racing

  The coating's drag-reducing properties provide competitive advantages in high-performance environments, where marginal gains determine outcomes.

• Commercial Shipping

  Reduced friction translates to substantial fuel savings for cargo vessels, ferries, and cruise ships, simultaneously addressing economic and environmental objectives.

• Specialized Vessels

  Research craft, underwater drones, and autonomous vehicles benefit from minimized biofouling and quiet operation essential for scientific data collection.

• Government and Rescue Operations

  Naval patrols and search-and-rescue teams gain extended operational range and improved maneuverability - critical factors in emergency response scenarios.

Proper surface preparation ensures optimal adhesion and performance. After thorough cleaning and defect repair, Sea-Slide® can be applied using standard methods. The coating requires 3-4 hours to cure before activation through water immersion.

Sea-Slide® technology originates from Hydromer Inc.'s four decades of medical coating innovation. The company's expertise in hydrophilic polymers has been successfully adapted to create this advanced marine solution.