I carefully read the directions that came with the Kasco 2400 we just got. We got it set up yesterday (maybe 9 - 10 feet deep) four feet or so in fromt and a little off to the side of the bow. We can tell its working when its near the surface, but noticed little movement when we drop it down. Other set-ups around the marina seem to be mounted close to the surface to generate significant surface current in the slips. I changed the depth to act more like the other bubblers in the marina. Its still shooting up vertically, but within a couple of feet of the surface. Over this weekend, the temp just dropped enough to be concerned about ice (in the mid-teens right now and cold for the next few weeks). So what is the correct set-up to prevent ice forming around the hull. BTW, I'm trying to protect our boat and the boats on either side of us. TIA
Using a Bubbler / Agitator
- Thread starter Bill18593
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My understanding of the process...
is that you want to bring the warmer water from the bottom up to the surface, not just move the surface water. Thus I would be more inclined to follow the instructions you referenced. Bear in mind that I have never done this but, my new marina has far more boats staying in the water over the winter, and I'm wondering about doing it next year. I will be watching the boats in the marina closely over the winter.
is that you want to bring the warmer water from the bottom up to the surface, not just move the surface water. Thus I would be more inclined to follow the instructions you referenced. Bear in mind that I have never done this but, my new marina has far more boats staying in the water over the winter, and I'm wondering about doing it next year. I will be watching the boats in the marina closely over the winter.
Insurance
Make sure you insurer covers the boat for freezing issues. Most people and brokers assume it is, but Boat US has a special rider, State Farm won't cover period. Get it in writing.
Make sure you insurer covers the boat for freezing issues. Most people and brokers assume it is, but Boat US has a special rider, State Farm won't cover period. Get it in writing.
Ditto on Casco
Bringing bottom water up whether you can tell or not is the object from what I hear also. Doesn't have to be on the bottom as it will lift water in a column. Follow the directions or ask the company for more info.
Bringing bottom water up whether you can tell or not is the object from what I hear also. Doesn't have to be on the bottom as it will lift water in a column. Follow the directions or ask the company for more info.
Last year
I started of with my agitator fairly deep but found it didn't work well so I raised it so there was fairly good water movement (probably was about 4 feet down) above the surface. Everyone else in the marina seemed to be like this also. I tried to also cover two boats with the one agitator but when the deep freeze came I found one side of my boat freezing over and pushing the boat over so I bought a second agitator for that side and that did the trick. The other boat was getting enough circulation from the agitator from the boat on the other side of her so she didn't need another one..
I started of with my agitator fairly deep but found it didn't work well so I raised it so there was fairly good water movement (probably was about 4 feet down) above the surface. Everyone else in the marina seemed to be like this also. I tried to also cover two boats with the one agitator but when the deep freeze came I found one side of my boat freezing over and pushing the boat over so I bought a second agitator for that side and that did the trick. The other boat was getting enough circulation from the agitator from the boat on the other side of her so she didn't need another one..
Churning
Putting an "ice-eater" just deep enough so you can see the roiling water is very satisfying. Depending upon the situation where you are, it may work. Ducks work this way, paddlling around to keep the water open. Sometimes they end up frozen in, however, because the surface water that they're "churning" gets cold enough to freeze. Putting the machine in deeper, even if it's flow isn't as readily visible, should work better. Relatively warmer water from deeper down (where it's warmed by the earth, instead of cooled by frigid air temperatures) should in the long run keep a larger area ice-free. Stronger surface action may be better at keeping loose ice chunks away from the boat, but that's a different issue, Each situation is different - tides, depth, current, salinity, air temp, wind direction... each have an effect on what will work for you. Think warm thoughts! !
Putting an "ice-eater" just deep enough so you can see the roiling water is very satisfying. Depending upon the situation where you are, it may work. Ducks work this way, paddlling around to keep the water open. Sometimes they end up frozen in, however, because the surface water that they're "churning" gets cold enough to freeze. Putting the machine in deeper, even if it's flow isn't as readily visible, should work better. Relatively warmer water from deeper down (where it's warmed by the earth, instead of cooled by frigid air temperatures) should in the long run keep a larger area ice-free. Stronger surface action may be better at keeping loose ice chunks away from the boat, but that's a different issue, Each situation is different - tides, depth, current, salinity, air temp, wind direction... each have an effect on what will work for you. Think warm thoughts! !
Ice-free area
(Went out to the marina yesterday to change the depth and to check on the boat.) I lowered the unit until it settled on the bottom, then brought it up a couple of feet and tied it off. Its still doing a lot of churning, but its also down much deeper. Need to keep a close eye on the depth since the lake is currently about 5 feet over normal pool and being lowered to its winter level. So far, our [3] boats are in the middle of a large ice-free area. Most of the rest of the area inside the protected marina has a skin of ice including some of the area where a lot of boats are crowded around a few bubblers. Lotsa wind from the wrong direction pushed quite a bit of ice into the marina.
(Went out to the marina yesterday to change the depth and to check on the boat.) I lowered the unit until it settled on the bottom, then brought it up a couple of feet and tied it off. Its still doing a lot of churning, but its also down much deeper. Need to keep a close eye on the depth since the lake is currently about 5 feet over normal pool and being lowered to its winter level. So far, our [3] boats are in the middle of a large ice-free area. Most of the rest of the area inside the protected marina has a skin of ice including some of the area where a lot of boats are crowded around a few bubblers. Lotsa wind from the wrong direction pushed quite a bit of ice into the marina.
Agitator contingency
If the device should fail or the electric service become interupted (assuming it is an electrical device) how long do you have until ice begins forming?
If the device should fail or the electric service become interupted (assuming it is an electrical device) how long do you have until ice begins forming?
Bob,
I'm not sure I understand the question. There is already ice all around the marina. The only clear area is around the bubblers. So how fast would the ice form? Probably pretty quickly. The question is how long would it take to melt and whether it would be a slushy ice.
I'm not sure I understand the question. There is already ice all around the marina. The only clear area is around the bubblers. So how fast would the ice form? Probably pretty quickly. The question is how long would it take to melt and whether it would be a slushy ice.
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