The true efficiency of a boat begins below the waterline, where the hull and coatings work silently to ensure performance, durability, and safety. This is where Stoppani has chosen to go further, taking its research beyond the laboratory to face the most authentic test of all: the sea. Within The International Yachting Media’s Test Center, located at Marina Porto Antico in Genoa, an endurance test will be carried out on a fiberglass panel treated with Epoxy Plus primer and Sibelius Light Endurance antifouling. Joining us to tell it is Gianluca Sansonna, Product Manager at Stoppani.
The Stoppani approach as told by Gianluca Sansonna
“We are not afraid to test our products – says Sansonna – They are thoroughly tested in-house and certified, but we are also interested in showing the results at sea”.
This concept becomes the guiding thread of the entire project: the universal matrix. “It’s a formulation that is practically unique to us – explains Sansonna – It performs like a hard matrix, but with the movement of the boat through the water, it becomes self-cleaning. This way, it adapts to any type of boat, from superyachts to displacement vessels”.
A philosophy that reflects Stoppani’s technical DNA: developing truly versatile solutions capable of simplifying maintenance without compromising efficiency and long-term performance.
The test
For this test, we were provided with a one-square-meter fiberglass panel treated with Epoxy Plus primer and Sibelius Light Endurance antifouling. The panel will remain submerged below the waterline for an extended period, exposed to the combined effects of light, salinity, and microorganisms, in order to assess the real long-term protective capacity of the treatment. A tangible testing ground, in a controlled yet authentic context, in direct contact with the actual conditions of the marine environment.
Stoppani Sibelius Light Endurance
Sibelius Light Endurance represents one of the most advanced solutions in the field of high-performance universal antifouling coatings. Designed to protect all types of hulls, it combines a formula that reduces water friction with constant protection against marine growth. With just two or three coats applied by brush or roller, it ensures a uniform thickness and remarkable durability. The white version, also compatible with aluminum and light alloy hulls, further enhances the product’s versatility. The color range extends from white to navy blue, with a coverage of up to 6.5 m² per liter.
Stoppani Epoxy Plus
At the core of every long-lasting painting cycle lies a high-quality primer. Epoxy Plus by Lechler is a two-component epoxy primer designed to protect hulls made of steel, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and light alloys. It can be applied both above and below the waterline, preventing osmosis and ensuring optimal adhesion of the antifouling coating. Key strengths include its fast drying time, high application versatility, and good sandability—features that make it ideal for both maintenance work and complete coating cycles.
