help bottom paint

[yak too]

I have a 16' all welded (no rivets) aluminum boat in a saltwater slip for 3 months.<br />July 5 - Oct. 5. This is a one shot deal as I will be trailering it next year.<br />I only put it in the water because I had no tow vehicle at this time.<br />My questions are<br />1. without bottom paint how nasty will the bottom get.<br />2. If I take it out of the water halfway through and at the end to have the bottom pressure washed<br />will I get away with out doing any damage to the bottom.<br /><br />Please give me as much advise or suggestions from your experiences as possible.<br /><br />Thanks, John

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: help bottom paint

Hi John, and welcome.<br /><br />Does your hull have a coated (painted) finish, or is it raw aluminum?<br /><br />Do you have a couple of zincs fitted? If you do, clean them (file). if you don't, get 'em fitted fast.<br /><br />If you have no protection, you will probably find that corrosion will show up somewhere on your hull or leg in the space of three months. How severe depends on the salt content of the water, its temperature, its clarity and its movement.<br /><br />Bottom paint is not intended to combat galvanic corrosion. It is made to minimise growth (algae, barnacles, etc), so you could be facing two problems. Growth can easily be seen, so check regularly. If it happens, get it off while the hull is wet and the growth soft.