mossy growth / water intake

[Konstantine Bakintas]

Hello Everyone:We have a 28-ft sailboat in a year-around slip in Lake Grapevine and were curious as to how important it is to have the bottom cleaned (and how often). I'm not referring to a bottom job; I'm referring to the removal of the mossy growth that seems to continuously accumulate. Aside from effecting the sailing performance, is there a concern with regards to the engine's water intake; could it get clogged? How is the bottom paint effected?Your feedback will be greatly appreaciated.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com]

Bottom cleaning

The point of bottom paint is to keep the bottom clean. If you have an overabundance of growth, think about repainting. If it's just slime buildup from sitting, it'll usually slough off once the boat gets underway. If you're stretching out the times between bottom jobs - every 2-3 years in fresh water and use Trinidad SR (Slime Resistant) - just scrub it off when you're planning on going out. As far as the water intake is concerned, if you don't have one, you can install a filter. I'm a self-proclaimed engine idiot so others are better suited to answer this question.LaDonna

 

[Steve Dion]

I'd agree with 'Engine Idiot'.

I'd have to agree with LaDonna. Use a Slime Reduction paint (SR) like the Trinidad. Then get yourself a Dri-diver Pro model. This makes scrubbing the bottom to remove the slime and grass a breeze. The only reason for bottom paint is to make cleaning the bottom easier. It is basically a hard paint that makes it difficult for growth to attach to or you get an ablative paint that sloughs off as it wears or is scrubbed.As you know a clean bottom is a happy bottom! PS: Ladonna, no offense, I thought that was cute!

 

[Leighton]

Clean your bottom..

I broke down and bought a Dri-diver and it really works great cleaning that slime off the bottom. It knocks off the little beards that grow down there on boats that have been sitting for awhile too. I use it any time I see any slime on the water line. That's usually about 2-3 weeks if I sail once a week (works killing me). How important is it to have a clean bottom? Like Steve said "A clean bottom is a happy bottom". That really sums it up.