Ultra Sonic Antifouling
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Chit Chat
Forum Description: Talk about anything to do with your boat
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12664
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 01:23
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Ultra Sonic Antifouling
Posted By: Ian2019
Subject: Ultra Sonic Antifouling
Date Posted: 14 April 2021 at 08:31
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Hi I have been looking at this for a while now and read many write ups in the nautical/yachting mags. I've done an advanced search on here and there was some posts mentioning the systems but these were back in 2008 but no post directly on these systems. So my question is has any Hanse owner fitted an Ultra Sonic Antifouling System (USAS)? If so which system? What are your conclusions/recomendations? I do not wish to start a debate on the claims of the producers nor the claims of the anti USAS population, these are all well covered in many magazine articles if you wish to do a Goggle search. I wish to know the real Hanse owners experience. Safe Sailing. ------------- H385 #317 2014 Tivat Montenegro |
Replies:
Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 14 April 2021 at 19:11
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I installed a system around 3 years ago made by Ultrasonic Antifouling Ltd of the UK. Since then we have had the boat in both New England and Florida waters so covered the range from cold to warm waters. Generally I have found it works quite well. The hull largely stays free of hard growth but eventually a static boat does attract some soft and some isolated hard growth as a result but on a boat that sat for months in Florida I never got lots of hard growth on the hull. Bottom of the keel, sail drive and rudder which the system does not lend itself to protecting being a different story so my conclusion is that it appears to help and certainly does no harm. I do not regret my investment. ------------- HANSE 445 #231 "ALBION" |
Posted By: Pzucchel
Date Posted: 14 April 2021 at 20:15
Can you hear it? Can young people bear it? I have an ultrasonic system to keep birds away, and I can't have young neighbors... ------------- Hanse588#55 |
Matt wrote:Posted By: Wayne's World
Date Posted: 14 April 2021 at 23:33
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Is there something that keeps charter yachts away? No that would be worth money! ------------- Wayne W Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026. |
Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 15 April 2021 at 04:28
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There is audible clicking but at night the system can be turned off with no sun to promote growth so no great issue. Other people who have been onboard haven’t noticed it so hard to really say. ------------- HANSE 445 #231 "ALBION" |
Posted By: Ian2019
Date Posted: 15 April 2021 at 05:37
Thanks Matt for your comments especially as you have had the boat in both warm, cold waters and also from your comment that at some time the boat was left without use for some time with little growth except for the bottom of the keel, sail drive and rudder. Pzucchel... can you hear your ultrasonic bird system? I like the idea of a system to determin which neighbours I want young or old  Any other Hanse owners experiences out there??? ------------- H385 #317 2014 Tivat Montenegro |
Posted By: Pzucchel
Date Posted: 15 April 2021 at 08:53
I hear nothing, it is a privilege of over 50...my ears have a cutoff at around 12khz...you can't discriminate the old neighbors , unless they have children on board, but you can keep away young humans and birds that are not deaf... I suspect they do exist... 🤔 ------------- Hanse588#55 |
Posted By: Pzucchel
Date Posted: 15 April 2021 at 08:55
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... And this is perfect for my favorite application of ultrasounds :cleaning my glasses... Is the installation complicated? Expensive device? ------------- Hanse588#55 |
Posted By: Mark_J1
Date Posted: 15 April 2021 at 11:41
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I’ve long been tempted by this option. Especially once I discovered that Jaycar in AUS do a DIY kit in the sub-GBP300 range for 2 transducers ( https://www.jaycar.co.uk/ultrasonic-antifouling-kit-for-boats/p/KC5535" rel="nofollow - https://www.jaycar.co.uk/ultrasonic-antifouling-kit-for-boats/p/KC5535 ). However, the idea of pulling 0.7A continuous (for 2) from the batteries always put me off. You make a good point re little or no growth after dark though. Now I’m wondering if a simple timer or ‘only when batteries are above 13.6v’ circuit might make it viable when away from Shore power. Damn! Another project :-) Thanks Mark ------------- Hanse 400e "Grey Goose" Hull #31 |
Posted By: Ian2019
Date Posted: 15 April 2021 at 12:29
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Hi Mark Most of the systems I have looked into are all DIY, I have been on the Jaycar wewb site several times and on the UK site it says "Out of stock" on the AU website it says "NOTE: This product is discontinued. Please see our replacement https://www.jaycar.com.au/p/KC5535?utm_campaign=redirect&utm_source=KC5535r&utm_medium=web" rel="nofollow - KC5535 " and the new unit retales at 249 AU Dollars As far as installation I believe it is quite straight forward to a competent DIY person. But may be thoes who have fitted it can comment on this. Cheers ------------- H385 #317 2014 Tivat Montenegro |
Posted By: grumpydatagit
Date Posted: 15 April 2021 at 12:56
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I got one from HullSonic.com.au for about £650 ( two transducers) -which was cheaper than any of the other in the UK / USA. There was a bit of a wait while he was having some issues with getting things manufactured during the first lock-down. What his website does not tell you that if the battery volts drop below a value and the unit stops, when the battery is recharge it will start automatically again. I use a spolar panel to chrge up the batteries. The remark from the lift-out guys t last Friday was - thats the cleanest one we have had this year. I only had slime coverage and very little use over the last year.. Not very scientific I know but this has beem my experiance. Previous yers I have had heavy fouling with Tube worms and barnicles. I I also copper plated my prop last year and it was pretty clean this year on pull out
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Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 16 April 2021 at 04:10
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Installation was very straightforward, hardest part as always with Hanse was running the wires. An appropriately sized solar panel has always kept up with my systems power needs. ------------- HANSE 445 #231 "ALBION" |
Posted By: Ian2019
Date Posted: 17 April 2021 at 05:50
Hi grumpydatagit, Will have to have a look at HullSonic. Interesting that the system stops working when the batteries drop below a value and automatically starts up again. I think the remarks from the lift out guys is quite significant as they will see maybe hundreds of hulls a year. I used SpeedProp on my folding prop last year so interested in how it will look at the end of this season. ------------- H385 #317 2014 Tivat Montenegro |
Posted By: Ian2019
Date Posted: 17 April 2021 at 05:53
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Thanks Matt, I think that the cable run instalation of the forward transducer will be petty straight forward however the aft one will be more difficult and will take a little tinking about. ------------- H385 #317 2014 Tivat Montenegro |