VC17 OFFSHORE Pre-Application Prep

Interlux VC17 OFFSHORE delivers the same trusted performance as the discontinued original, with simpler prep and no toxic VOC mixing required.

By
Marc Robic
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4
The author's last can of VC17m. (Photo/ Marc Robic)
The author's last can of VC17m, a two-part antifouling that was discontinued due to health and environmental concerns. VC17 OFFSHORE is a direct, one-part replacement. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

It’s been a few years since Interlux (Akzo Nobel) discontinued the popular VC17 and VC17m antifouling due to environmental and safety concerns. However, it is a favorite among many racers and cruisers, so there was a scramble to buy up whatever VC17 chandleries still had in stock—I bought four years’ worth. But now that I’m down to my last quart, like many other sailors, I'm feeling a bit of pressure to decide which product can replace VC17. The replacement product needs to provide the same performance and at the same time offer the easiest application—it shouldn’t require extensive time to prep the surface to ensure compatibility and adhesion.

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Marc Robic
Marc caught his love of sailing and all things water from his father from a very young age. He has owned many sailboats in his 40+ years of sailing. An avid do-it-yourselfer and handyman, he builds, modifies, improves and executes all his own repairs. He also enjoys testing, documenting & sharing products and how-to methods with other sailors and boaters. Posting many how to videos on his YouTube channel and Facebook page. He is a member of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron. Currently, he sails his Catalina 270, Aquaholic 3, out of the Ile-Perrot Yacht Club in Montreal, where Marc spent 16 years as Harbour Master. He is also a regular bareboat yacht charterer, having sailed most of the Caribbean islands. In the winter months, Marc regularly hand builds exact scale models of friends’ boats to give them away in the spring.
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4 COMMENTS

  1. Like many Lake Erie sailors, I have VC17 on my Sabre. How does this new formulation perform compared to the old?

    Also a clarification in your procedure: Step 1 warns of VOCs yet only recommends PPE for dust protection. Volitile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can only be stopped by an appropriately rated respirator. Fortunately, there’s no VOCs in the old paint. Being volitile, they have gassed off long ago and an N95 dust mask to protect from the copper dust would be sufficient. The 216 solvent recommended, however, is nothing but VOCs and a respirator should be worn.

    • Thanks for your informative comment Ben.

      As for the difference between VC17 and VC17 Offshore, it is the smoothness of the surface. Which compares to VC17. And VC17 Offshore lasts longer as well, especially in fresh water. Many sailors report only minor touch ups on leading edges with full surface reapplicaction needed only every 3 years.

    • Hi Ralph, I am told many retailers still have inventory of VC17m they are hoping to liquidate before bringing in VC17 Offshore in quarts. Thus may be the case. I know many retailers in Canada are doing the same thing.