protecting a docked boat from growth

[gettum]

I am used to trailering our boat but my son never was comfortable with doing the trailering by himself, so we are going to be docking this year on Lake Erie. How does one protect the boat from all the wildlife that would want to grow on it? Seems to me you paint something on, but what works best? Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.

[Bob G2]

I'm not sure if this would work on aluminum, but for fiberglass boats, generally you would need to use an antifouling paint on the hull, from the waterline down. Although this is something I have never done before, I think you would need to sand down the gel coat on the bottom of the hull and then apply the paint. The paint is pretty expensive stuff. You will want to obviously check with a marine outlet as far as exact instructions if you do this, or have a marina do this.

I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in since I saw no one had answered as of yet. Hopefully, the more experienced guys will pitch in here with some better details.

[dc/co]

I would seriously look into a boat lift if I were going to leave a boat on the water in a slip. Just my thoughts, dc

[Marken]

I've got a neighbor who keeps his sailboat in Winnebago during the summer months. The only thing he does is put a heavy coat of wax on the bottom. Then he scrubs his butt off with a stiff brush when he takes it out at the end of the season, but it cleans up really nice.

[James Morris]

I hate to say it, but I think regular cleaning of the hull is the best way to do it. Ask before you try this out, but maybe invest in a power washer? (you don't want to ruin your paint job so please check this out before trying it. I think you'd be ok on a glass boat, but maybe not on an aluminum.)

Hope I helped some,

James

[Phil T.]

According to an article in an old issue of Bass & Walleye Boats, the danger is to gelcoats, not to aluminum. It seems that gelcoats used by boatbuilders is softer than that used on Corvettes. Pressure car washes can damage it.

[Airwave(OH)]

What ever you do if you have a Fiberglass boat you MUST seal it. Fiberglass is very porous and it will blister if you don't. If you have never done it before ask lots of questions or let someone who has do it the first time. It's not that hard to do. You will need to use an antifouling paint then. Many products have both a sealer and antifouling agents mixed. Don't let anyone tell you you can get away with just waxing a boat.

[Captnric]

Applying bottom paint to an aluminum boat is not a do it yourself project anymore,, I believe,(could be wrong) it takes a special license to by that typeof paint,, It is very expensive to have it done.. I would suggest in lieu of docking to go to a marina that offers rack storage,, This is better for boat and often can be less money for a year around deal..Otherwise expect to pull it every couple weeks and powerwash at a local car wash will work

[Moose]

I was living in Ohio for awhile and looked into storing a boat in a rack. Many places have the same setup. You pull up to the marina and the guys pick your boat off the rack with a special fork truck and place it in the water. Seems like a great way to keep your boat clean and I think alot cheaper than renting a slip.

[Boatnut]

I agree with CaptnRic,
consider rack storage. Just call them up a few hours before your arrival and they will have the boat in the water waiting for you. Bottom paint is not a "do it once and forget it" item. It will require additional maintenance/coats eventually and its not cheap. I also think bottom paint detracts from the looks of a boat that might be trailered again and not just sitting in the water all the time.
Boat/US does make a product called "scat" which is a clear coating you can apply. doesnt work quite as well as bottom paint but it might be an economical alternative
my 2 cents
Mike(boatnut)

[JUST ADD WATER]

I HAVE KEPT MY LIND IN THE WATER AT LAKE CHAUTAUQUA FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS. I HAVE USED A PRODUCT CALLED EASY-OFF THAT I PUT ON THE BOTTOM IT MAKES THE BOAT AS SLICK AS A WHISTLE. THIS KEEPS THE GROWTH MAYBE TO A LESSER AMOUNT BUT WHAT IT REALLY HELPS WITH IS REMOVING IT IN THE FALL ALONG WITH A PRODUCT CALLED SLI-ME GRI-ME IT IS MIXED WITH HOT HOT WATER AND THEN RINSED OFF. I USED A PRESSURE WASHER TILL I FOUND THIS PRODUCT.MY DOCK WAS IN THE MAIN LAKE RIGHT IN THE WEED BEDS WHICH MEANS IT ATTACHED TO MY BOAT.WHERE YOUR GOING TO BE DOCKED WAS PROBABLY DREDGED OUT AND HAS A MUD BOTTOM THIS TO ME WOULD INDICATE MORE OF A SCUM LINE OR DISCOLORED BOTTOM. JUST REMEMBER THE MORE YOU USE THE BOAT THE CLEANER IT WILL STAY BECAUSE AT REST IT BECOMES A DIRT MAGNET, ALSO IF THE BOAT BECOMES TO DIRTY ON THE BOTTOM IT WILL CREATE A DRAG ON THE BOAT BECAUSE THE HULL IS NOT CLEAN WHICH COULD CAUSE THE BOAT TO BE SLOWER.

[Tim FRick]

Each options as it's pro's and con's
A docked boat pro's:
1. you don't have to wait for anybody to get your boat out.
2. If the weather is rough you can still sit in your boat at the dock.
con's:
1. You will need bottom paint on your boat
2. bottom paint will make your boat go slower(weight and water resistance).
3. your outdrives won't look new anymore.
4. if the marnia is in the river, logs or floating garbage can due some damage to the boat during rain storms.
5. morons that don't know how to tie down a boat or drive one could hit yours docked.
6. the boat is open to the weather!

A boat that is stored inside:
pro's:
1. out of the weather
2. no need for bottom paint.

con's:
1. have to make sure someone pulls your boat out of the racks.
2. when they pull your boat out/in you have to worry about the high school kid running the fork lift.(damage to your boat)
3. nowhere to sit if the weather is rough.

as you can see you have to weigh your options out. You can put bottom paint on yourself, just do the research first. If you do it right you can go 2-3 seasons without touching it up.
Good Luck!!
Tim FRick
26 more days till Spring!!

[PRO-V]

GETTUM,
Check out www.boatus.com. They are a marine supply retailer that has locations all over the country. If you have fiberglass or aluminum, there are antifouling bottom paints of various protective grades that would suit your needs. As mentioned earlier, if you have fiberglass make sure you seal it first to prevent future blistering. One word of advise...if you will be storing the boat on a trailer make sure you get a "harder" grade of paint, and stay away from the ablatives as they will rub off on your rollers or bunks.

PRO-V

[bob oh]

Never docked a metal boat so I can't speak to that. However have glass experience. If you dock a glass boat full time on Erie you better make sure the bottom is sealed and I would paint it or have it painted unless you want to pull it every few weeks and power wash it. the bottom paint will also help with sealing the bottom of your boat. Yes the bottom paint will slow you down, but the growth on the bottom of your boat will slow you down even more and without paint the growth by fall will resemble a jungle. Besides there are only a few days on Erie when you can go fast anyway unless you have metal kidneys and don't care about your boat :-)
Bob

[James Morris]

Thanks!

[gettum]

Thanks a lot for all the advise. Its clear that I will have to apply a coat or maybe two. I will get in touch with boatus. Had my boat on a rack one summer, but did not like it a bit, for reasons mentioned: they may not handle it well and you can't get it exactly the minute you want it.