Our boat was pulled from the water this past weekend for the winter. On the both sides of the forward bottom of the keel were patches(6 inches x 12 inches) of Zebra mussels. The keel is solid lead and painted with VC-17 w/ biolux. What are solutions to keep the Zebra Mussels off the boat?
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I wish I could answer that ...
Zebra Mussels I understand is another example of careless commerce between countries and lands far away. Where I live, Love Bugs are the PITA. (Pain In The Arse) We can thank University of Florida for that one, I understand. But these aggravating bugs are everywhere! Plague is what it is. I was miles out from shore and thes goofy love bugs were covering me and my boat! Nothing, not even the fish will eat these bugs and so they grow more and more populated throughout Florida. So give me a solution to irradicating these lovebugs and I will give you a solution to your mussel problem ... Regards Tom
Zebra Mussels I understand is another example of careless commerce between countries and lands far away. Where I live, Love Bugs are the PITA. (Pain In The Arse) We can thank University of Florida for that one, I understand. But these aggravating bugs are everywhere! Plague is what it is. I was miles out from shore and thes goofy love bugs were covering me and my boat! Nothing, not even the fish will eat these bugs and so they grow more and more populated throughout Florida. So give me a solution to irradicating these lovebugs and I will give you a solution to your mussel problem ... Regards Tom
No Paint those Areas
Lake Champlain is now fully infested as well. We typically do not have bottom problems with the critters using VC-17. Perhaps you missed a spot or through the season the paint wore off. Upstate New York is a long way from the Black Sea but it appears that Russia did invade the U.S. after all.
Lake Champlain is now fully infested as well. We typically do not have bottom problems with the critters using VC-17. Perhaps you missed a spot or through the season the paint wore off. Upstate New York is a long way from the Black Sea but it appears that Russia did invade the U.S. after all.
VC-17 coats
4 coats of VC-17 were applied to the keel in the spring. After the boat was pulled, the paint appeared "thinner" on the leading edge and bottom of the keel. As the old saying goes, how many coats are enough? Can the keel be preped better so the VC-17 doesn't wear off throughout the summer?
4 coats of VC-17 were applied to the keel in the spring. After the boat was pulled, the paint appeared "thinner" on the leading edge and bottom of the keel. As the old saying goes, how many coats are enough? Can the keel be preped better so the VC-17 doesn't wear off throughout the summer?
Didn't VC-17 change their formula?
I do know that the new version doesn't perform anywhere close to their old formula with "cuprous oxide" (spelling?). Didn't the tree huggers get them to change?
I do know that the new version doesn't perform anywhere close to their old formula with "cuprous oxide" (spelling?). Didn't the tree huggers get them to change?
Yes, the VC-17 people added Biolux
to the original formula, but it still contains the same quantity of copper powder as before. I haven't noticed any decrease in the performance in Holland, MI since the biolux was added. In fact, I believe that this was the first year that I used VC-17 plus exclusively (previosuly, I was still using up my supply of the original stuff), and there was NOTHING on the bottom of my boat. That could be because the boat was on the hard for the month of August (it takes a LONG TIME to get a new bow pulpit from Catalina), but it was in the water from early May through July, and then again from the beginning of September through yesterday, so I would have expected SOME slime, but the yard-man commented on how clean the bottom was. Steve Alchemist C-320
to the original formula, but it still contains the same quantity of copper powder as before. I haven't noticed any decrease in the performance in Holland, MI since the biolux was added. In fact, I believe that this was the first year that I used VC-17 plus exclusively (previosuly, I was still using up my supply of the original stuff), and there was NOTHING on the bottom of my boat. That could be because the boat was on the hard for the month of August (it takes a LONG TIME to get a new bow pulpit from Catalina), but it was in the water from early May through July, and then again from the beginning of September through yesterday, so I would have expected SOME slime, but the yard-man commented on how clean the bottom was. Steve Alchemist C-320
VC17 seems to work
My boat was in the water at Manistee, MI from May thru the first week of October. No sign of Zebra Mussels except around the rudder post. They didn't seem to be as heavily concentrated as is the past couple of years in general. Your 6 x12 patches don't by any coincidence correspond with your cradle or stand pads, where there may not have been any paint? Just a thought. The only problem I have had with VC17 is adhesion to the bottom more than likely due to a poor bottom prep job to the new hull. It was re done by my dealer again last spring, but I still had poor adhesion. the paint flakes off like dandruff when the bottom is washed. Other boats stored beside mine on the hard show no evidence of this. In fact they almost look like they could go another season without painting. on another tack...has anybody ever tried spraying VC17 using an airless sprayer with some sort of retarder? Did it work?. The stuff evaporates so fast when rolled that it seems like you lose most of it to the atmosphere.
My boat was in the water at Manistee, MI from May thru the first week of October. No sign of Zebra Mussels except around the rudder post. They didn't seem to be as heavily concentrated as is the past couple of years in general. Your 6 x12 patches don't by any coincidence correspond with your cradle or stand pads, where there may not have been any paint? Just a thought. The only problem I have had with VC17 is adhesion to the bottom more than likely due to a poor bottom prep job to the new hull. It was re done by my dealer again last spring, but I still had poor adhesion. the paint flakes off like dandruff when the bottom is washed. Other boats stored beside mine on the hard show no evidence of this. In fact they almost look like they could go another season without painting. on another tack...has anybody ever tried spraying VC17 using an airless sprayer with some sort of retarder? Did it work?. The stuff evaporates so fast when rolled that it seems like you lose most of it to the atmosphere.
VC17 Application
We applied the VC17 w/ Biolux to the hull while it was in the cradle. We also he had the boat hang from the crane overnight before being put into the water and applied VC17 to the cradle pads and the lower edges and bottom of the keel. The entire hull received five coats of VC17 which was applied at a tempature of 65 degrees. Although we sailed more often this sumer, the boat had more growth of the hull than last year. VC17 does not evaporate as fast in the cooler temperature as a warm balmy day with wind.
We applied the VC17 w/ Biolux to the hull while it was in the cradle. We also he had the boat hang from the crane overnight before being put into the water and applied VC17 to the cradle pads and the lower edges and bottom of the keel. The entire hull received five coats of VC17 which was applied at a tempature of 65 degrees. Although we sailed more often this sumer, the boat had more growth of the hull than last year. VC17 does not evaporate as fast in the cooler temperature as a warm balmy day with wind.
Worked on my 170
I used VC17m on my Hunter 170 for the first time this season since I left it in the water all season. I put two coats on the bottom. I pulled the boat out last Sunday and the bottom looked pretty clean. It did have some areas that looked worn or rubbed off. It didn't look like it flaked off, it just looked thin. I didn't have any Zebra mussels after sitting in Lake Erie all season. I didn't put any on my rudder, and I had to clean the slime off it every weekend. I used the original copper color. Would it make any difference what color you used? Probably not, but just a thought. JerryA
I used VC17m on my Hunter 170 for the first time this season since I left it in the water all season. I put two coats on the bottom. I pulled the boat out last Sunday and the bottom looked pretty clean. It did have some areas that looked worn or rubbed off. It didn't look like it flaked off, it just looked thin. I didn't have any Zebra mussels after sitting in Lake Erie all season. I didn't put any on my rudder, and I had to clean the slime off it every weekend. I used the original copper color. Would it make any difference what color you used? Probably not, but just a thought. JerryA
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