The MacGlide was born from the meeting between two know-how. On one side MacTac which provides decorative adhesive films (train, plane, car...). On the other hand the company PPG supplier of paint for shipping companies. The two have combined to provide an adhesive that adheres underwater and, with a silicone coated surface, prevents living organisms from adhering.
After 5 years of research, MacGlide was born, a film that is applied under the hulls of boats. The biggest difficulty was to solve the problem of the junction of the plates. Do not leave the gel coat bare, otherwise the algae will stick to it and at the same time, no paint will adhere to the silicone surface. It is therefore necessary to use a very special primer on which a silicone paint is then applied.
Previewed at the boat show, the MacGlide is now on the market. For example, covering the hull of an Océanis 31 sailboat (9.50 m) costs around 3200 € (126 €/m2). It is a little more expensive for a motor boat (142 €/m2) given the number of cuts in the strakes. The application must be made on a clean gel coat. It is therefore easier to apply it on a new boat. The hull of a boat that has already received an antifouling coat will need to be sanded to expose the gel coat.
The announced service life is currently at least 5 years, but no longer-term tests have yet been carried out.
