Leaving boat in the water

[billo001]

Hi<br />I'm new to boating. What I want to do is leave my boat in the water for the summer. What I have found is that the growth that forms is very hard to get off (3 hours with a pressure washer)and has stained the white glass at the waterline. The boat is in fresh water. Is there a paint or coating that will help. How can I remove the stain? How often should I pull the boat for cleaning? Thanks for all the help in advance.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

read all the way down on this page the verylast one '' tough stains '' 22 hits but it won't last long before it gets kick into the archives # 1 , since it's the last post

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Hi Billo...<br /><br />I recommend that you do not leave the boat in the water - it takes a serious toll on the boat and outdrive. the bottom paint goes on the bottom of the boat, not on the sides or the outdrive. It can totally ruin your gelcoat and outdrive.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

What you need to do is apply a "GOOD BOTTOM PAINT", I suggest an ablative, like Micron-CSC, Follow the directions on the can. You will like the long term results. It avail. @ all marine stores.Clean the bottom properly, and go for it. I've used it for 5+ years, with no problem. Each season you only have to do a touch-up.

 

[JB]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Ahoy, Billo.<br /><br />I'm with TX River Rat all the way.<br /><br />Bottom paint is a pain in the butt and automatically reduces your resale value.<br /><br />Invest in a lift to raise your boat at the slip or put her on the trailer.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[EVMIII]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Billo,<br /><br />Good and bad to both sides. I keep my boat in the water all year. Just repainted with MICRON CSC this year (4 coats). I plan to pull the boat once a month and wash bottom (and fill the tank with a less expensive gas). Been in the water one month with new paint (salt water, gulf of Mexico) no problem with build up. I have an outboard that I get completely out of the water and flush after each use and bottom paint that covers everywhere water gets to while floating. Sure like the convenience. Good luck, happy boating.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

There are Millions of boats that are in the water most of the year. With an ablative paint there is no need to keep pulling it out to wash the bottom, perhaps once in 6 months is all that is needed. A lift installed can cost many$$$$$. Paint is $45.00/qt. you figure it out.<br />Is a lift or a trailer maintenance free??

 

[alcan]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Hello Billo<br />Water, fresh or salt won't hurt a real boat or motor. Ignorance and neglect will. As long as you keep your bottom painted and a good bonding system you should have few problems. I would be more conserned about baking sunlight. If your slip is not coverd at least use a good mooring cover. Rinse your boat after every use, wash once a week.<br />Keep it waxed. Tastfully applied bottom paint won't devalue your rig near as much as not using it will. Since you already have that nice stain line, just mask it off and paint it. Then have a blast using your boat, thats why you bought it.

 

[SeaRay245]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

ive kept my boat in the water every year all summer long if u have good bottom paint it should not be a problem as someone said it lasts about 3 to 5 years then needs to be redone all u have to do is make sure u have it high enough on the boat to keep them nasty stains off the gel coat and check with your nearest boat store they make special wash downs to remove the stains ......... a real good coat of wax on the gel coat also help keep it off with regular in the water wash downs with a long handled brush will also help what i do about 3 to 4 times a summer is run the boat up near a shallow sandy beach tie her up and go swimming with a brush in hand and wash her down

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

I still say don't leave it in the water unless you want to work on keeping it free of crud all over the place.

 

[billo001]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Thanks for all the great info. I live on the lake and have a dock. This is my first boat that I bought used so I could learn with out messing up a brand new boat. In the future if I buy a new boat I will invest in a lift system but for now I don't want the hassle of trailering. It sounds like I just need to plan on cleaning the bottom once every couple of weeks. Should I lift the drive out of the water? But I might lose a prop if I do that. I went to a local boat store and they don't sell bottom paint. Where can I buy it on the net. Thanks

 

[chumbucket]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Did you apply Micron after removing old bottom down to gel coat or coat bottom with ??? before coating with Micron

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

SIMPLE GREEN it cuts right through that lake crud. I use it to clean boat bottoms and if you can get access to a pressure washer that feeds chemicals...feed some simple green into the wash. Works great.<br /><br />Happy Boating....Sniff sniff still have 14-25" of ice cover on the lake!! Come on SPRING!!!!!!<br /><br />Bob

 

[SeaRay245]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

simple geen is the best stuff ive found that works also and it bio degradable also and no bubbles

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

I made the mistake of leaving my old boat in the water, and NOTHING couold remove what grew on the bottom. They sold me this chemical that could eat through concrete to get it off. I decided i didn't want to deal with those types of substances. Cost to get it all off? 200 bucks on a 17.5 ft boat. <br /><br />I will say this: That crud on the bottom of the old boat reduced my acceleration and top end significantly. Once i boulght a new truck and decided to keep it on a trailer, I replaced my prop, and had the bottome cleand. The result? a 10 MPH increase in the top end, and a better handling boat. <br /><br />I just understand why someone wouldn't leave it on a trailer to prevent ruining their property when having the option.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

you know what's better than simple green,, simple green mix with bleach 50 / 50 mix , in a spray bottle. AWLSOME !!

 

[alcan]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Hi Billo<br />You can get a clear anti fouling paint for your drive unit. Also keep your O/D in the down position. Sun light helps promote marine growth. So try to shade your drive as much as possable. If you have a L or U shape dock try backing in. Let the dock help provide shade. Depending on where your at in the world try staying on the north side of dock. These are not critical things, just a few tips.

 

[billo001]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Alcan thanks for the help. Do you know where I can buy it local boat dealers don't stock anti-fouling paint of any kind. I was hoping that I could order off the internet.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

For a complete boatus on-line cat. go to www.boatus.com they have anti-foul paint in spray cans to match most colors.

 

[alcan]

Re: Leaving boat in the water

Sorry Billo I haven't ordered anything online yet. But I'am sure there must be a bunch of places.In my area bottom paint is a common product. Be sure when you order it, you get the type that is compatable to your situation.