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Tested from February 2000
to May 2004
Tested from February 2000 to May 2004, MUSSEL
BUSTER® a registered Trade Mark of Matrix Engineering Concepts, Inc. continues
to be the only multi-season marine running gear protection for the boat owner
who is serious about performance and boating.
This coating was proven in the tidal waters of
Martin, Palm Beach and Broward County, Florida, which any boat owner knows is
one of the toughest places in the world to prove a coating.
Our testing of MUSSEL BUSTER® was
extreme, extensive and methodical, ranging from Charleston, South Carolina to
Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These boat owners live on or near the intracoastal
waterway, canals and the ocean. With South Florida's warm tropical waters, these
test boats are in some of the worst areas in the country for growing barnacles,
tube corals and other performance robbing marine growth.
The following are just a few of the individuals who
took part in the initial testing over a 1 ½ year period:
Herb Jarrett,
Treasure Coast Propeller, Inc., Stuart, FL.
Nelson and Suzie DuRant, Palmetto Props, Ravenell, SC.
Bruce Melnik, VP, Boeing Space Coast Operations, Merritt Island, FL.
Carl Ring, Former Pratt & Whitney Product Engineer, Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
David Gresham, Yacht Broker, Jacksonville, FL.
Captain Gerhard Badecker, NAMS - CMS, Pompano Beach, FL.
In August of 2000, we began live sea trials
utilizing boats across a wide range of performance characteristics such as: gas
powered, diesel powered, low to moderate horse power up to 2000 horse power. One
test case was 62 feet of over all length, twin shafts, 1,500 Horse Power each,
with a cruising speed of 30 knots. Boats manufactured by Viking Yachts, Bertram
Yachts, Hatteras, Whitaker Custom Yachts, Luhrs Corporation, to name a few, and
various sailboats were used. Initially we coated only propellers. The very first
set of propellers that were coated lasted an, at the time, unbelievable 2,000
nautical miles at 120 hours of run time over 7 months continuous exposure. We
immediately received feedback that some test boats were experiencing engine rpm
increases, fuel economy increases and engine load reductions as well. After the
initial phase which lasted 4 months, we began coating bow thrusters (metal and
plastic), trim tabs, rudders, intake screens, propeller nuts, shaft spurs and
anything else that we could think of. We have applied this coating on everything
from 8” diameter plastic bow thruster propellers to 59” diameter 6 bladed
Michigan propellers. Customers that have had MUSSEL BUSTER® applied
to components below the water line have reported exceptional performance and
ease of maintenance resulting from the coating. MUSSEL BUSTER® is all about
keeping boat owner's "boating instead of cleaning."
As of 01/07/05
Since the conclusion of our second phase of testing, we have coated in excess of
200 varying sets of propellers, rudders, trim tabs, bow thrusters and suction
screens. We have a high percentage of repeat customers, many of whom are seeing
multi-season performance with only a moderate scuff sanding with 220 grit of the
coating at haul out to revitalize the surface. We continue to receive numerous
accolades regarding Mussel Buster® performance. In all honesty, we have received
some complaints regarding pattern wearing, however these individuals have never
complained about the ability of "Mussel Buster" to protect under water hardware.
Pattern wearing is caused by hot spots and cavitation on the blade faces and
hub. The coating will wear in these areas in some cases and should be considered
normal, however even though the coating might wear in these areas, we have seen
only insignificant fouling even on the bare metal. Mussel Buster® is not and has
never been billed as "armor plate." Mussel Buster® is, however, an extremely
tough coating that, when applied correctly, will significantly reduce fouling
which makes cleaning, if necessary, a snap and keeps you "in your boat rather
than under it." If you are more concerned with the aesthetics (pattern wearing)
than how well this coating does the job, you may not want to try Mussel Buster®.
However, if you are concerned about ease of maintenance and the possibility of
increasing speed and fuel economy contact one of the performance specialists
listed below.
Finally, the reef systems off Palm Beach County are shedding area at an alarming
rate, as much as 40% over the last ten years. That's right. In only ten years,
as much as 40% of our reef system has been lost, possibly forever as reported by
Reef Relief. Some contributing factors are: 1) the high release of toxic
materials from bottom paints, 2) nitrogen rich run off from farm land
fertilizing and 3) live stock waste. Matrix Engineering Concepts, Inc. has no
control over the farm land fertilizing or live stock run off, however we can
help to lower toxic materials given off by anti-fouling paints to the ocean and
V.O.C.s to the air we breath. To my knowledge, Mussel Buster® is the only
propeller protection coating that has no V.O.C.s. To that end, we hope that
anyone who views this website will consider all the benefits, environmental and
functional, of utilizing Mussel Buster® to protect their boats.
Jack Thygesen - President
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