Dan Dillon | Aquaphobix | Ep. 996

Dan Dillon is the founder behind Aquaphobix, a heat-applied, non-ablative marine coating that started in swimming pools and is now being tested on fiberglass boats. In this conversation, we dig into the torch-on application, why copper-based bottom paint is still everywhere, and how certifications like Marine Life Safe and Drinking Water Safe translate from pools to marinas and beyond. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: How a pool coating ended up on boats — and why the blowtorch is part of the magic The honest breakdown of copper paints, “ablative” flakes, and microplastics in our water and fish Certifications that actually matter (not greenwashing): marine life and drinking-water safe Real-world cases: SeaWorld exhibits, a 102-year-old public pool, and what marinas care about (hint: sanding revenue) The ROI angle for anglers: fewer haul-outs, better performance, less mess — and where this could go (buoys to cruise ships) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Dan’s background (pool contractor → Aquaphobix) 03:45 What Aquaphobix is (pneumatic thermal plastic) 06:20 Torch-on application: epoxy, powder, and bond strength 09:55 Why traditional bottom paint leaches (ablative vs. hard) 13:10 Microplastics, copper, and environmental impacts 16:05 Certifications: Marine Life Safe & Drinking Water Safe 20:00 SeaWorld & “Venetian Pool” case — draining into aquifer 24:35 Greenwashing claims vs. what’s actually in the can 28:40 Marina economics: sanding, haul-outs, fees, and ROI 32:30 Performance, fuel burn, and efficiency tradeoffs 36:15 Big-boat use cases (buoys, cruise ships testing & fines) 40:05 Family-owned company, exclusive rights, patent-pending 43:10 The viral video effect and dealing with comments 46:00 What’s next & how to get in touch 🔗 Visit Dan Dillon / Aquaphobix – https://aquaphobix.com 🔗 Connect with Aquas / Aquaphobix: Instagram → @aquasofficial Website → https://aquaphobix.com 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #BoatLife #SaltwaterLegends #BottomPaint #Aquaphobix #Conservation