Bottoms up! Coppercoat extends its partnership with the Clipper Race
This summer, the Clipper Race fleet will set sail once again using the same Coppercoat treatment first applied in 2017.
The award-winning and environmentally responsible antifouling leader, Coppercoat, has returned as the Official Anti-Foul Supplier of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the fourth consecutive circumnavigation.
For sailors, a boat with a dirty hull - or bottom - is a nemesis. Marine growth increases drag, reduces boat speed, can obstruct valves and cause damage. The process of antifouling - applying a protective coating to the bottom of a boat to prevent marine growth - is therefore an essential part of yacht maintenance.
In the past, antifouling has been a laborious task. Whilst the fleet would start with a fresh coat of antifoul, each yacht still needed to be lifted out of the water at the midway point of the circumnavigation to reapply the aging antifoul. When applied correctly, a treatment of Coppercoat resists weed and barnacle growth for a decade, vastly eliminating the time and financial expenses associated with traditional antifouling.
British-based Coppercoat is classified as non-leaching, meaning it is considerably kinder to the environment than its self-eroding competitors and supports the Clipper Race’s commitment to sustainability.
For Coppercoat, the Clipper Race is a test bed like no other; the hulls of the boats are put through extremes of temperature, weather and sea states as they race 40,000 nautical miles around the globe. Paying testament to Copperoat’s longevity, this summer the Clipper Race yachts will embark on their fourth circumnavigation using the same Coppercoat treatment applied ahead of the 2017-18 edition.
Ewan Clarke, Managing Director of Coppercoat, said:
“We are delighted to renew our partnership with the Clipper Round the World Race. We take great pride and satisfaction from the knowledge that the entire fleet will stay free from bio-fouling throughout the forthcoming circumnavigation, allowing for efficient sailing and competitive racing.
The race crews face a daunting challenge, battling to overcome many adversities as they round the world - knowing that the performance of the anti-foul is not going to be of concern is a welcome relief.”
Since receiving Coppercoat treatment, the yachts have raced over 120,000 nautical miles, without needing reapplication, proving its durability.
Greg North, Head of Fleet Maintenance at Clipper Ventures, said:
"Coppercoat provides our fleet long-term protection, requires less maintenance, and offers a more sustainable approach to hull care. Unlike conventional coatings that degrade over time, Coppercoat’s durable formula lasts for multiple circumnavigations and its eco-friendly design minimizes biocide pollution, making it a smarter choice for both our race and the environment.
Using Coppercoat has also eliminated the need to lift the vessels out of the water halfway through the circumnavigation. Globally, there are limited shipyards capable of hauling a fleet of this size in quick succession. Coppercoat has helped remove this restriction while simultaneously allowing our technicians to focus on maintaining the systems on board, keeping the fleet in top racing condition."
Coppercoat is the combination of a specially developed water-based epoxy resin and high purity (99%) copper. Each litre of resin is impregnated with two kilos of ultra fine copper, making Coppercoat the strongest copper-based antifouling available. The non-eroding epoxy easily withstands everything Mother Nature sends its way during the Clipper Race.
If your company is interested in becoming a partner or sponsor of the Clipper Race, please contact the Partnerships Team to learn more: