Very Strange, Barnacle Bog Down or Not.

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Radiowaves

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I have not used my boat as often this season due to family matters and doing some work at the house for the first time in 8 years. But had the boat hauled late March, bottom painted, zincs etc. We have been out for a bay run and twice to Kismet, but I have not used the boat in three weeks. During this time, I had my port control module go bad and also I had them do a motor diagnostic on one of my engines that stalled at idol more than normal. Nothing Found.

Yesterday, I went to CG cove to raft up with BillyK and another friend and could not get the boat up on plane. So I headed to SS3 for gas which they now have new tanks. I was half full with October's fuel and stabilizers. Filled to the brim and headed down LH cut, no change. 12 MPH at my cruising RPM and burning 33GPH. After we rafted up, Billy took a dive, and came back with nothing on my props but a large barnacle growth and also on the hull bottom. Billy said that could be my problem, but I was skeptical as this has never happened to me before. And also, it is very early in the season. Soon as I told my Mechanic what Billy found they said they had 4 boats last week with the same problem.

I took today off for a doctor's appointment so I also had the boat hauled and was shocked. Turns out since I have a slip near a very flowing channel the water is fresher and barnacles grow faster than at the LIYC or marinas that have enclosed bulkhead. They are scraping and hopefully they will do a bay test. I was advised to start my engines at least twice a week and put the engines in gear forward and reverse and this will disrupt the babies. I never heard of such a thing. But I also never have seen so much growth on my boat in less than three months. Very Strange, but I hope that this is my only problem.
 
Guess you will have to use your boat more!
I don't see a issue!

What bottom paint do you use?
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Guess you will have to use your boat more!
I don't see a issue!

What bottom paint do you use?

Click to expand...


They are supposed to use Micron, Ablative. But I know it is Ablative. The biggest buildup was on the metal, props, shafts, South Bay strainers. But they were on the hull also, but not as dense. I would think I would lose performance, but not going from about 26mph cruising to around 12. I also questioned why my RPMs would not go up when I pushed it WOT. It seems the engines when strained have a protection built in. I want to hear back from them after a bay test or I will head down later an do it myself. I just wanted them to do the test and fix the boat ! Got most of the spring work at the house done, at least so the wife is happier, the rest can wait until winter. Billy was right about my generator having an air pocket issue, I hope he is right about this. Although, not using my boat for three weeks and needing a short haul, scrape and bottom paint touch-up would not be a good thing either.
 
Brad,

You would be surprised. When my father still had his boat in FL, a few decent sized barnacles on the props kept the boat from planing.

You can imagine what happens to the boats that are rarely used over the season.
 
...." I was advised to start my engines at least twice a week and put the engines in gear forward and reverse and this will disrupt the babies. I never heard of such a thing. But I also never have seen so much growth on my boat in less than three months. Very Strange, but I hope that this is my only problem. "......

Brad.....this is so true. I was also told the same thing years ago. I had to have one of my boats hauled 2x's in one season....because I didn't use it enough.....to clean the bottom.

Now....its 2-3x's a week.... I start and run EVERYTHING ( motors ..gen set....a/c's )....also drop the tranny into forward and reverse and let it sit for a while. That saying...." If you don't use it you lose it " ....can't be more TRUE !!!

Good Luck..........
 
Had the exact same thing happen to me on my last boat. Changed slips from a cove to a tidal river. Never had a problem before. But first year in new slip, left for our first week long cruise and couldn't get boat up on plane. Family was bummed and I was convinced I had a major malfunction although everything seemed to be running fine. So before heading back I raised my outdrives and felt the props. There was a think coating of tinny barnicles all over the stainless props which I'd never had before. Never would have thought such a thin coating would have made a difference. But after scrapping for about 20 minutes, boat hopped up on plan and we were able to continue our cruise. Had to scrape props every couple of weeks for the rest of the summer.

Now with new boat and straight inboards will probably have to hire a diver to hop in at the slip...
 
Sometimes I think its a seasonal thing. I live on a very brackish canal that was a creek way back in the day before they dug it out. I actually grew up on the same canal as my folks house is just a few doors down. I leave the boat in the water for 2 winters and out the 3rd. A couple years ago when I hauled the bottom was a mess...really bad. The last time I hauled the bottom was almost pristine. Nothing had changed...same paint...same dockage. I cant figure it out. I have essentially been on this canal for 35 yrs and have no clue!

Ive heard all sorts of reasons for barnacle growth...cold winter kills em off...warm spring provides them with food etc etc.
 
Ok drum roll ….

Just got back , took the boat to the Robert Moses bridge and it ran great. The owner and his staff at Babylon Marine said this is a very bad year and about three or four weeks ago we had a large growth bust. They all said my three weeks of not starting the boat did this. If you have a bad weather weekend you still should start your boat once or twice a week and put it into gear. This will be my practice from now on if possible. I really learned something today. I would have not imagined loosing half my speed for such a light growth, but I guess it was enough.

BillyK is now 2 for 2 in predicting what a problem was that I had.
 
And yet another reason why being a dock mary is not good!
 
Ablative paint is supposed to wear off while using the boat to clear growth. Unless you get a very high copper paint, a boat sitting will foul up pretty quickly.
 
Good post Brad,
Thanks for the heads up, to date I have only used my boat a few times (actually twice), between the weather and other obligations I have not used the boat.
 
Brad,

Glad to hear it was not something major.

Billy K.
 
I have had barnacles on my shafts, none on my bottom, but the underside of my trim tabs
are where they really build up.
 
Brad, move your boat to Bergen Point, its cheaper and better protected, we don't have barnicles there, they are not allowed!
 
quote:
Originally posted by rduhon

I have had barnacles on my shafts, none on my bottom, but the underside of my trim tabs
are where they really build up.

Click to expand...


Its been a while since I had barnacles on my shaft.......but a quick visit to the doctors ... took care of them !!
 
quote:
Originally posted by pstew96

Brad, move your boat to Bergen Point, its cheaper and better protected, we don't have barnicles there, they are not allowed!

Click to expand...


Yup good ol Bergen Point where clams grow before your eyes and at night you have a light show of fish swimming. Them there glowing fish are very special and scare away the Barnacles. [:-goldfish][:-cyclops]
 
quote:
Originally posted by BillyK

Brad,

Glad to hear it was not something major.

Billy K.

Click to expand...


Thanks Billy, I was glad to hear that too. Good call on your part.
 
SEE THE GROWTH ON MY TABS AND USED MY BOAT TWO WEEKS AGO :(
 
My dock is in a very high growth area for barnacles. I have been using mine dock for the past 8 years and PropSpeed is the only product I have found that will stop barnacles. I only use the PropSpeed on the metal parts and I have to reapply every two seasons but it is worth it.
 
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