Preventing corrosion / weed build up

[actros]

Hi all,

I have a sea- ray 205 sport boat which I've recently had anti-fouled and keep in a marina. I have noticed that within 2 months the anti-fouling has started going green and the stern drive has grown a few barnacles.
What I have started to do is every time I take the boat out is to park on the beach and go around with a plastic scrubbing brush around the hull and stern drive.

I have read reports saying you shouldn't clean the stern drive housing - is this true ? What's the best way of keeping everything corrosion and green algae free?

Thanks in advance

Daniel

 

[M9.9]

Re: Preventing corrosion / weed build up

Hi, There many others here who are far more experienced than I but, I don't see why you can't use a high-pressure washer to blow off barnacles and algie. The newer one's have a selection of tips to control pressure output so as not to blow-off the paint too.

I know the one I own at 2600psi can clean off just about anything on cement, siding, chairs, fences to lower pressure setting--tip for cars. Had it for two years before getting around to using it and I was quite surprised when I did at just how good they work. One of the tips that came with it can remove paint too.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Preventing corrosion / weed build up

Marina slips are for folks that can't back a boat trailer down a launch ramp.

Keep your boat on a trailer when it's not in use and it'll last longer and will be easier to maintain with no algae or barnacle growth... and how else are you going to get good at launching and trailering a boat?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Preventing corrosion / weed build up

I moor my boat in salt water seasonally, and so preventing marine growth is a significant part of the maintenance. (However, a slip would be nice too . . .)

Anyway, what I have found is the following . .

I have to paint anti-fouling up to about 3" ABOVE the water line in order to prevent the green 'beard' from growing. Even then, you will do some cleaning during the season.

As for the outdrive, forget about having it look pretty; that is for trailered boats and maybe even lake boats. You will need to keep a good coating of anti-fouling outdrive paint on it (like Trilux or similar). I'm not sure from your original post that you have any anti-fouling paint on the outdrive (if so, then fine).

Even with the outdrive anti-fouling, I usually get barnacles growing on some parts of the outdrive. Some mid-season haul-outs and power washing helps, but then you have to be concerned about removing too much of the anti-fouling paint.

I know of no 'reports' regarding not cleaning the outdrive.

As far as corrosion . . . Anodes, and lots of them. Replace them every year, or even more frequently as needed. Also, if you have a corrosion preventive system with the engine (like MerCathode) make sure that is activated and working properly.

My biggest problem with marine growth is on the propeller. For performance reasons, you want to keep it clean and free of paint (it is stainless steel), but for anti-fouling reasons, I have ended up painting it with anti-fouling paint (it helps, but not perfect).

Another thing that I get in my waters is mineral stains on the hull (sort of brownish discoloring) I tried everything cleaning-wise to no avail, then finally tried some rust remover spray. Works like magic.

Anyway, I hope that helps. You will never get to 100% on this, so measure your success by the improvements to your current situation.

 

[sasto]

Re: Preventing corrosion / weed build up

Growth is common, even on a painted bottom. I care for a dozen or so boat bottoms in a marina. Depending on water temps, I normally have to clean them at least once a month. I use a scotch pad on the beard, as we call it, and a flexible metal scraper to remove barnacles. Sounds as if your bottom is white. What kind of paint was used, ablative or epoxy?

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Preventing corrosion / weed build up

There are I believe 2 basic types of protectice bottom coatings . 1 is SUPPOSED to wearoff with use. To a lead foot like me, that is ideal. I run at 50 mph 20 % of the time.

The other type is none wear off. So that would be for slow boats that never go out. It would be VERY sensitive to having ENOUGH deadly toxic chemicals to keep weeds & critters off.

I vote for the one that keeps breaking down & flaking off. It MAY loosen the glueing action of anything that attaches to it.

Thanks to everything being made safe enough to eat or swallow. Not many things provide good or lasting protection.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Preventing corrosion / weed build up

I do not know of anthing that kills weeds, critters & stops galvanic corrosion. Might be.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Preventing corrosion / weed build up

ice scrapers with brushes work great on removing barnicles

 

[actros]

Re: Preventing corrosion / weed build up

Hi all,

Many thanks for the replies - some good tips!
Looks like the only way of really keeping it perfect is by a lot of care and scrubbing.

Thanks once again

Daniel