[Rhodes22-list] Biological Centerboard Fouling/Jamming - A Serious Issue?

[William E. Wickman]

What happens if you don't have any bottom paint at all?  My boat is kept in
fresh water and does not have any bottom paint.  All that is necessary is a
good pressure washing to clean the "pond scum" and alge from the hull
whenever the boat is hauled.  It comes off easily as long as you get it off
before it dries.  So, while the bottom looks pretty when cleaned (ie. waxed
like the topsides), I wonder.....what is going to happen when I take the
boat to the coast and subject it to salt water for a week or two?  I guess
the real question is, how long does it take for marine growth to start
forming on your hull?  If I only have the boat in the water for one week
will I have a barnacle problem when I take it out?  How many of you folks
out there do not have any bottom paint?  How has it worked out when you put
your boat in salt water for short periods?

Bill W.




|---------+---------------------------------->
|         |           "Roger Pihlaja"        |
|         |           <cen09402 at centurytel.ne|
|         |           t>                     |
|         |           Sent by:               |
|         |           rhodes22-list-bounces at r|
|         |           hodes22.org            |
|         |                                  |
|         |                                  |
|         |           12/03/2004 03:49 PM    |
|         |           Please respond to The  |
|         |           Rhodes 22 mail list    |
|         |                                  |
|---------+---------------------------------->
  >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
  |                                                                                                                              |
  |       To:       "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>                                                       |
  |       cc:                                                                                                                    |
  |       Subject:  [Rhodes22-list] Biological Centerboard Fouling/Jamming - A Serious      Issue?                               |
  >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|




Hi All,

Richard Smith has brought up the issue of fouling on the centerboard &
inside the centerboard trunk as being a potentially serious maintenance
issue on Rhodes 22's.  It is apparently only a serious issue for those of
us that sail in severly fouling waters, like down south.

I've been a member of the Rhodes List about as long as anyone.  In all that
time, I can't recall anyone except Richard ever mentioning biological
fouling as being a prime cause of jamming the centerboard up inside in the
trunk.  According to Richard, it's a fairly significant maintenance issue
for folks in his area that sail centerboard boats. (Rockaway Inlet?)

If there really is an issue here, it should be more widely known.  How
widespread is the problem?  How are other folks managing to deal with the
problem?  It may even rate its own FAQ topic.

So, I'm asking all Rhodes 22 sailors, what has been your experience with
biological fouling & subsequent jamming of your centerboards?  Please don't
be shy about responding.  This is the sort of discussion the Rhodes List
was created to encourage.  If you sail in warm water & haven't experienced
the problem; then, tell us where you sail.  Perhaps the problem is very
localized.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
__________________________________________________
Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list