One more thing. Depth is your enemy. So be prepared to adjust your sailing/cruising plans based on the wind and tides. The north wind this past weekend dropped the tide more than an extra foot!
Yup she has AC....NORTH DAKOTA TO FLORIDA .... don't worry about the boat's reaction to salt water ...
worry about how to stop it from screaming ... " Thank you, Thank you , oh, daddy, thank you "
BTW, hope you ordered it w/ A/C
Thank goodness!
Draft is 5' so it should not be a big problem. But you are right it will be "skinny water"
So you use diaper rash medication on your boats underside???Nodak7,
Bill's comments about hard/ablative paint(s) are well taken.
I used Petit Trinadad for many years. I worked well to inhibit growth, but the "build up" problem became severe. A few years ago, I stripped all the old (hard) paint off. Since then, I have used hard paint (Trinadad SR) on the keel and rudder. I think it's more resistant to fouling than ablative, the hard paint rubs off less easily when you go aground, and any extra build up weight down low isn't really a problem.
I use ablative on the hull, with several coats along the waterline.
Like everyone else, I've tried lots of different things on the prop and shaft. My preference has evolved to using Petit "Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier". It seems to work (for me) better than anything else. After it dries on the prop and shaft I smear a heavy layer of (generic) Desitin ointment over it.
I know, sounds "mickey mouse", but, the zinc oxide ointment stays on for a few months and very much inhibits all growth, before it finally gets "blown" off motoring. ... It's inexpensive, helps further delay prop/shaft fouling, and I only get laughed at till the boat goes back in the water ...
Do you coat your prop with anything? Does the location in the channels make a difference? In other words if I had a house in the back section would that make a difference on bottom cleaning requirements? When you have your bottom redone which yard do you go to? Can you do your own work there? Do you have a lift or keep her floating?
... it was pricey.
Gasparilla is probably the most expensive yard in the area. As far as I know you cannot do your own work there. All American and Charlotte boat storage are both in nearly fresh water, you can work on your own boat at either. Getting there thru the lock will require hi tide and no north wind for 5 feet of draft. You might minimize what Gasparilla does, get your boat in the water and go to either AA or CBS. Lock entrance is up the Myakka river, about 15 miles north ofDo you coat your prop with anything? Does the location in the channels make a difference? In other words if I had a house in the back section would that make a difference on bottom cleaning requirements? When you have your bottom redone which yard do you go to? Can you do your own work there? Do you have a lift or keep her floating?
I have VC-17 on right now and the yard (Gasparilla) said that it would never do around here. Which I am certain is the case. It works great here but we have no bottom fouling problem either. They gave me a quote on removing it and, I think, replacing it with Trinidad (I believe).
Yes if it happens it will put a totally different perspective on our sailing. Did you go any place while you were out for the two weeks?
:wow: That is what I would just love to do! LOL... yeah for us less than 13' is getting nerve wracking! Especially since we are used to the 50-100' range. If you watched my video I always pan on the instruments and very rarely is it less than 80'. When we were sailing in Charlotte Harbor I kept an eye on the depth gauge and I think the best I saw was 16'.