zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

[rightcoastrob]

I bought a boat that was docked in lake erie for the yr it was totaly covered in them.i got them all scraped off the barnical itself now whats left is like there roots underneath the whole boat.besides from it looking bad im sure its killing my gas milage also and a lil performane to im sure.can anyone tell me wht to get these lil membrains off with ive tryed so many diff household cleaners clr took the scum line right off but wont touch this stuff.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

i dont know about one as bad as yours but out here if you come from a lake that has them you have to pay to have your boat pressure washed with hot, realy hot, water to kill them. can you trailer to a good car wash with a lot of pressure and try that?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

if they have dried out, it may be a sand an paint.

 

[rightcoastrob]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

yes they have dried not what i wanted to hear lol they wont come off with high pressure least not with mine and its like 4200 lbs.altho a brass wire brush will take them off with alot of work and i have 22 ft to do.they had grown inside the motors to full size bout that of a dime i had major problems getting the colling to flow right.i just thought there may of been some kinda cleaner out since these things just didnt appear yesterday.i planed on repainting the boat just not this summer i just got it and want to fish.but i just know its killing my gas milage the bottom is so rough and im sure its prolly making my props ventalate a lil bit to.oh well what do ya expect for a 500$ boat and dual 115 mercs im not complaing one bit asides from the gas milage.is paintinng the bottom a dyi type of job or is this something im gunna have to send out.i plan to spray the top deck the haul has great paint on it hence the reason i wanted to just clean it.but at any rate i apprciate your input.if i find a mirical cure ill deff post it on here.

 

[jaywiz]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

nope live on lake erie and once they are dried out its grind them off and repaint!! Sorry for the bad news but we have tried just about everything to get them off and if you can keep them moist and pressure wash them before they dry you can kill and clean them with bleach.After they dry though its scrape them out!

 

[JB]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

I have removed (dissolved) barnacle bases with strong lime removers like CLR. It is slow, but it doesn't abrade gelcoat.

 

[arboldt]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

I know you don't want to hear this, but check your motor water intake. Those little buggers can get in there and clog any water intake to your boat. They've shut down some municipal water systems, too.

Now we know how the authorities give such high estimates to the cost of invasive species.

If I find out what to do about the engine intakes, I'll post it.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

Just ask the Hillsboro County (Tampa) residents about their $125 million desalination plant that remains operating partially due to the zebra mussels blocking the inlet pipes. They invaded Tampa Bay via foreign boat bilge water discharge.

So many people were against building this thing for both the projcted costs (ended up 40 million over budget) and the ecological damage to a huge grass flats system and fishery.

Looks as if they are a problem in lots of places....

 

[rightcoastrob]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

Yah i had major cooling issues at first they had me all restricted.i used air and water to get them flushed out.and the clr does work to an extent but its alot of scrubbing.besides it being pretty unsightly i know its scrubbing speed and sucking extra gas.boats should be smooth on the bottom not rough and textured.i tryed a razor but thats not a very smart idea for those thinking of going that route.

 

[jaywiz]

Re: zebra mussles ive searched the forums to

The town i live in has put electric screens on all the water plants intakes and changes them once a year!the electric seems to fry them before they have time to STICK around!I wonder how they deal with them over seas?