Protecting a Home at Sea
How Stella.Overboard prepared for extended tropical cruising with International antifouling and expert technical support.
For cruising couple Camille and Jesse of Stella.Overboard, their 39ft Jeanneau sailboat isn't just a vessel – it's home.
Living aboard full-time and exploring the remote waters of Southeast Asia means Stella is constantly exposed to some of the world's toughest tropical fouling conditions.
Preparing for an extended voyage through Indonesia and beyond meant ensuring the hull was properly protected. Working alongside the AkzoNobel technical team, they selected an International® coating system to help prepare Stella for the journey ahead.
Why antifouling matters in tropical cruising
Warm tropical waters create ideal conditions for aggressive marine growth. Left untreated, fouling can increase drag, reduce sailing performance, increase fuel consumption and require more frequent haul-outs.
For cruisers heading into remote regions where boatyards are few and far between, reliable hull protection becomes more than routine maintenance -it becomes essential.
"As full-time cruisers, Stella isn't just our sailboat, she's our home," says Camille.
"Choosing a coating system that we could genuinely trust was incredibly important to us. Most importantly, it gives us confidence and peace of mind while cruising far from major marine service facilities."
The coating system
Preparing Stella involved a complete International® coating system:
- Primocon® Primer – providing a strong anti-corrosive foundation.
- Micron® 99 Black – a multi-season Self Polishing Copolymer antifouling developed for demanding conditions.
- Antifouling Thinner No.3 – used throughout to support compatibility and application.
The system's reputation among experienced cruisers and professional applicators—particularly in tropical climates—made it the clear choice.
A real refit in real conditions
Unlike many demonstration projects, Stella's refit took place in a working marina in Langkawi, Malaysia, with Camille and Jesse continuing to live aboard throughout the process.
Working in intense heat and humidity, they tackled every stage themselves—from surface preparation and primer selection through to coating application—with support from the AkzoNobel technical team.
"As a trusted complete coating system, the products worked well together, which made planning the stages much more straightforward, helping avoid unnecessary delays," says Camille.
The value of expert technical support
One of the defining parts of the project was the hands-on technical guidance provided by AkzoNobel.
James Loh, Technical Account Manager for North and South East Asia, travelled from Singapore to Langkawi to support the application on site, providing practical advice throughout the project.
"The support throughout the application process was extremely valuable for us as DIY cruisers," says Camille.
"It helped make what initially felt like a very large and overwhelming refit project feel far more achievable, organised and professional."
The project reinforced an important lesson—selecting the right coating system is only part of achieving long-lasting performance. Correct preparation and application are equally important.
Real-world performance
Following relaunch, Stella delivered noticeably improved performance and was well prepared for extended offshore cruising.
"The International® antifouling system exceeded our expectations both in the overall professional finish and the confidence it gives us to explore remote islands."
For long-distance cruisers, the benefits extend beyond appearance, delivering:
- Improved sailing efficiency
- Reduced drag
- Better fuel economy under engine
- Longer periods between haul-outs
- Greater confidence when cruising remote locations
Sharing the experience
Through their YouTube and Instagram channels, Stella.Overboard documented every stage of the antifouling project, helping other sailors, aspiring cruisers and DIY boat owners better understand yacht maintenance in tropical conditions.
By openly sharing both the successes and the challenges, the project became more than a product collaboration—it became a practical educational case study demonstrating how trusted coating systems, technical support and proper preparation can help boat owners cruise further with confidence.
Micron® 99 is a professional-grade antifouling coating for use by trained applicators and is not available for retail purchase. Boat owners should contact a professional boatyard or approved applicator. For DIY antifouling solutions, explore the International® Yacht Paint range.
