green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

[alesserfate]

Hey there folks,

I've read a few topics on this here but couldn't find an answer I'm happy with so here I go posting:

First time having my boat in a saltwater marina, it's been about two weeks and my outdrive has grown quite the jungle on it. I'm a little afraid of starting it up and sucking some of it into the cooling system or lowering the leg down any more than it sits and having that stuff slide past the trim cylinder seals. The hull itself has actually grown quite the furcoat as well. What's the deal with it, is it safe to just run it like this ? Or do I have to pull it out on the trailer every two weeks and go at it with the powerwasher ?

Any input appreciated!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

WOW Yuck!

I would use a green scrubby and wipe that off before it turns into an animal!!

It probably will not hurt now since it would get chopped up and circulate through everything but I would wipe it off.

 

[ricohman]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

Thats disgusting. It looks like its been underwater all season.
Personally, I couldn't stand having all that crap growing on my boat.

 

[Don S]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

That looks completely normal for being in salt water. When you pull it out, use a pressure washer on it. Be careful with the pressure washer on the rubber parts, (bellows, hoses etc.) it can punch holes in them.
Feel the bottom of the boat, bet you find little baby barnacles just starting to grow. They WILL slow your boat down.
Welcome to salt water boating.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

Hey there folks,

I've read a few topics on this here but couldn't find an answer I'm happy with so here I go posting:

First time having my boat in a saltwater marina, it's been about two weeks and my outdrive has grown quite the jungle on it. I'm a little afraid of starting it up and sucking some of it into the cooling system or lowering the leg down any more than it sits and having that stuff slide past the trim cylinder seals. The hull itself has actually grown quite the furcoat as well. What's the deal with it, is it safe to just run it like this ? Or do I have to pull it out on the trailer every two weeks and go at it with the powerwasher ?

Any input appreciated!

View attachment 164054

Take it for a ride. Get in the water with a rag and wipe off if you don't like the looks of it. It will come right off with no hard scrubbing. I do mine every couple of weeks.Drive should be trimmed all the way in when docked and trim tabs if any should be fully retracted just for that reason.

 

[robert graham]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

I wonder if a pressure washer would knock that stuff off while it's in the water?...just stick that wand down there and blow it off!...might work along the sides of the hull wherever you could reach with that wand. Guess the Marina might allow pressure washers on the dock??...just an idea...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

Or you could just ignore it

 

[Don S]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

A standard ole deck brush will make quick work of the green meanies above the cavitation plate and along the waterline of the boat, a trip out on the water will take care of the green that is below the water line when on plane.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

Or you could just ignore it

:facepalm: :facepalm: Now thats what i call ugly. How did you clean that mess up. M80

 

[MarkSee]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

Or do I have to pull it out on the trailer every two weeks and go at it with the powerwasher ?
View attachment 164054

Here is SoCal the folks with boats in slips either hop in an clean it themselves or have a diving service doing the cleaning for them....usually a couple times a month. Part of the cost of boat ownership.

Mark

 

[alesserfate]

Re: green algae/sea grass growing on outdrive in salt water

Great replies, I haven't been in the slip more than 2 weeks; it has been really hot and sunny so perhaps that greatly added to the growth.

I'm going to use the brush with the extender handle (normally use it to wash the roof of my truck) and try to brush off the green grime from the coolant intake grills and then take her for a rip. If it doesn't work I'll probably borrow a pressure washer (I have hose and hydro connections in my slip) and if not it'll be going on the trailer and to the coin wash for a proper pressure rinse session.

Ouch that barnacle disaster looks terrible, there's a bayliner a few slips away and it's outdrive looks like a barnacle infested tumor - I am hoping his nightmare won't spread to mine - his vessel looks like it hasn't been taken out all season. Another disaster I'm dealing with is Otters ****ting all over the cleats/rope on the dock. Why do they not do it anywhere else ? Why on the damn knots that I have to touch ? Wtfff.