Product Test
Clear Undercoating for Hulls
Silon by Adsil

By Capt. Terry Davis
Southwest Florida Outdoors University Staff

Go Faster and Save Money on Fuel

Bottom paint is bottom paint, not any more. There is a new revolutionary product on the market for coating hull bottoms. Silon by Adsil (www.adsil.com) is a clear coat that is applied to the bottom of a boat much the same way as traditional bottom paints. However, there are major differences. What you ask, how about adding 10 to 12 mph to your top end speed, increased fuel savings, lower maintenance costs, better handling and let’s not forget that Silon is a clear coating that gives your hull a mirror-like finish. This is on top of retarding marine growth for up to 450 running hours.

I am sure the first question you are asking is, “how can Silon increase my top end speed?” In the simplest of terms, Silon reduces the amount of drag water places on the bottom of your hull while under power. The bottom line is the more of the hull that is in the water while running at top speeds, the greater the reduction of drag, hence more top end speed. As an example, Pete Hellwig (1-800-549-2539), General Manager Adsil, and his crew decided to do my twenty foot flats boat. On my test runs after the application of Silon, I only increased my top end speed by one to two mph. Pete explained to me that’s because when my boat is running at top speed, there is only a small portion of my hull that is in the water. Larger boats, twenty-five feet and above, will see greater increases in their top end speed, due to more of their hull being in the water while running flat out. But what I didn’t get in top end speed, I more than made up in performance.

Let’s talk performance. The first thing I noticed on my test runs were my hole shots. My boat jumped up quicker and got on plane faster. The better hole shots are sure to give me some definite advantages when fishing the flats. But it’s the fuel economy that really made an impression on me. Prior to the application of Silon, my boat was running a mid-range 41 mph at 4000 rpm’s. After the application of Silon at the same 4000 rpm’s, I’m now running 46 mph. That translates into about an $8.00 to $10.00 fuel savings on my half day charters, and let me tell you, that’s money in the bank. In addition to the fuel savings, the water pressure in my motor increased two pounds. This increase in pressure will surely help in the cooling of the motor, increase its performance and reduce the maintenance. Better handling was another thing I noticed on my test runs. To be honest, my boat just seemed to ride smoother, there was no more hard chop when the boat cut through the waves and it even handled better in the turns. Now that’s saying something for a hull coating.

With all of these added advantages to conventional bottom paint, you’re probably thinking that there is some mystery to applying Silon. In reality, it’s almost the same process as applying bottom paint. The first step is to tape the boat about one or two inches above the waterline. Then using 400 grit sandpaper the is sanded to acquire a dull surface. After sanding the boat is washed and then cleaned with an Adsil cleaning product to ensure that all of the dirt and any left over waxes are removed. The boat is then thoroughly dried. Silon is a clear four part mixture that is then applied to the hull with an applicator sponge. In addition, Silon is applied to all components that are under the waterline. This includes the motor’s lower unit, prop and trim tabs. There is a twenty-four hour curing process before the boat is ready for the water. Pete said the cost of applying Silon to a boat should be about $30.00 to $35.00 per foot. After seeing Pete and his crew apply the Silon, I will say that application process is better suited for a marina than the backyard. Wolcott Marine in Bonita Springs (941-825-5611) provided its facilities for Pete and his crew to do my boat. What’s amazing is that once the Silon is on the boat, you can’t even tell it’s there. Remember, this is a clear coat, not a paint!

An Unbelievable Above the Waterline Product

Once Pete had finished applying the Silon to the hull, he went to work detailing the top side of my boat with Adsil 209. This is another clear liquid product that is amazing. The Adsil 209 comes in a spray bottle and is simply sprayed on everything above the waterline. The bottom line, nothing sticks to it. Water beads and rolls right off and fish blood will not stick. WOW! Since nothing sticks, cleaning my boat after charters is a breeze. It pretty much just a wash down with very little scrubbing. The Adsil 209 can be used on just about any surface, fiberglass, glass, metal, etc. In addition, there are a number of uses for around the home, and it will even put a mirror like finish on a vehicle, call me and ask me about my great looking truck. Again, the water just beads and runs off and nothing sticks, to include those pesky love bugs.

Give Pete a call (1-800- 549-2539) or visit www.adsil,com to find a retailer or applicator for Silon or just to learn more about these great products. The Adsil 209 is now available at all of the four Sunshine Ace Hardware stores, and Wolcott Marine, 28951 Trails Edge Blvd, Bonita Springs. Feel free to stop by my store at 18911 Tamiami Trail South (239-262-2940 for a location near you) or give me a call at 239-415-1161 to talk about these revolutionary new products.

Tight lines and may the big one bite you,

Capt. Terry Davis
www.extremefishingfl.com

We catch fish!