Weed build-up

Andy Moore · 05 October 2005, 18:38

Hi All,

I am starting to think about where I am going to keep my new rib when I get her. My ideal berth would mean she would be in the water throughout the entire season.

My query is regarding weed/slime build-up. I expect many of you trailer-sail your ribs, but what about a rib that is in the water the majority of the time. Antifouling the bottom sounds a horrible solution.

I am having lifting-eyes fitted so I can have her jetted off from time-to-time.

Any advice appreciated.

--Andy

codprawn · 05 October 2005, 18:42

In pretty much the same predicament myself.

Local conditions vary so much - weather is also a big factor.

From what I have been told as long as I take my boat out every 2 or 3 weeks and give it a good pressure washing I will be ok - as I have to take it on a trailer to get petrol anyway it shouldn't be too bad - have just bought a petrol pressure washer!!!

Just read an article in a boat mag - they said even a thin film of slime had knocked 20kts off their speed!!! Seemed rather a lot to me but once they cleaned the hull normal service was resumed!!!

Andy Moore · 05 October 2005, 18:49

Does pressure washing get rid of all the slime or does it leave a 'residue'?

--Andy

Nauti Buoy · 05 October 2005, 18:52

Hi

I keep my rib at Chichester Marina in the water all the time, I do not have any antifoul on the boat what so ever, I tend to use the rib every weekend if not every other weekend at least. I pull it out and Jet Wash it about every 3-4 weeks and find the powerwasher gets the little bit of weed off and any barnicles although this is minimal to. As for the grime/discoloration I wash the rib down with normal car sudds and it is as clean as the day I bought it. Takes about an hour on average, but worth it and I find it's not much of a chore.

Hope this helps.

regards

Richard

Tim M · 05 October 2005, 19:03

Do a search on here for "safe boat skin". It's a product applied in the same way as a wax. The idea is that weed etc can't attach to it so your hull stays clean.

Andy Moore · 05 October 2005, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Hi

I pull it out and Jet Wash it about every 3-4 weeks and find the powerwasher gets the little bit of weed off and any barnicles although this is minimal to.

Just to clarify, jet washing does get the crap off then?

--Andy

tim griffin · 05 October 2005, 19:36

Hi Andy

Why not keep her at Shepherds Wharf they can dry berth her for you. If not East Cowes Marina you can always recover her at the folly, for a wash off or take it tp Island Harbour for a quick power wash .
Cheers Tim

gavin · 05 October 2005, 19:42

Antifoul all the way

Rogue Wave · 05 October 2005, 19:48

when I saw the title Weed build up I thought it was about something else

I am not a big fan of keeping a rib in the water and think Dry berthing is a very good solution, however if you must keep it in the water the pressur washig regul;arly will do it but you have to keep on top of it and it does become a chore,

Andy Moore · 05 October 2005, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim griffin

Why not keep her at Shepherds Wharf they can dry berth her for you.

Tim,

I was thinking about 'dry sailing' her. Hmmm. Not sure. I wonder how much they charge and how much notice they require for a put-in.

--Andy

tim griffin · 05 October 2005, 19:54

Think its cheaper than East Cowes Marina

Drop Simon Hawkins a PM as he keeps his rib there and he seems happy enough .Oh and welcome to the Island Chapter of Ribbers

SOLENTER · 05 October 2005, 20:18

I spoke to a rep on the Seajet stand at the Southampton boat show regarding
anti fouling of one type or another and was asked if i had tried
acrylic yacht polish aparently the young chap keeps a small rib on the south coast and uses it him self with some success.

The name of the product CRYSTAL GLO Supplyed by SEAJET
I will give it a try next season watch this space

hard1 · 05 October 2005, 20:23

Most ribbers hate anti-foul and rightly so. It's not as if it works anymore anyway. It's like antelope tinkle these days and will slow you down, but i don't notice the price dropping. Once you put it on, your hull is marked for ever and will look naff.

Be careful with very high pressure washers. They can (and do) damage tubes and seams. It does pretty much remove the weed. If it's more tenacious, use "Wipeout" as well (Oxalyic Acid). It works very well.

20 knots knocked off speed? Only if weed longer than Neptunes beard

Even a thin slime film will knock off up to 5-8 knots and increase fuel consumption accordingly.

How much fouling depends where you moor. In a strong stream is best. In a closed marina is worst. In a strong stream with some fresh water element is even better.

Other advantages of dry berthing or trailer sailing include easier maintenance, ability to flush through after each use, overall cover, cheaper.

Pressure washing does NOT remove all the barnacles, again, depends where you moor. The little tiny buggers are the worst.

Against trailering is you will not be able to keep a set of brakes on your trailer for very long unless you use a fresh water flushing system (available now from some trailer specialists). Washing down with a hose some hours later will not work. Also, (and this applies to boaters who use Itchenor Hard at high tidem half tide etc., if you immerse your tow vehicle more than just the bottom of the wheels, it will disintegrate after 6 months. The best time to launch at Itchenor is low tide when the shingle shelves steeply and you don't have to immerse your vehicle. The only reason I say that is because I watched a brand new Nissan Navarra up to it's door sills in the oggin launching a boat. When I asked if this was wise he said "No problem mate they're all corrosion proof" As I write this, the little rusticles are eating his pride and joy from the inside.

Personally? I hate the thought of these fat cat marina owning bastards thinking that everyone who has a boat is stinking rich getting ANY of my money. They even want £150 pm to keep a boat on a trailer! Sod 'em!

Sorry to be lengthy, but these are all considerations and I hope these real life experiences help in some way.

Nauti Buoy · 06 October 2005, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

Just to clarify, jet washing does get the crap off then?

--Andy

Yes I find it does, you do get left with a very fine layer of slime but I found sticking on the brush attachment and a little bit of suds and it wiped off with ease. As for the weed as long as it is not huge ammounts, in places the weed had grown to 8" but with the Powerwasher this was just blasted off with out much effort. You also must try and do it before the boat drys off, I generally set up the powerwasher ready then pull the boat out of the water.

You also will get quite wet especially when you do around the engine area as it always ends of bouncing back off of something you least expect

.

I'll be doing mine again next weekend so if you are in the Chichester area I'll show you if you like how easy it is, or you could be my apprentice and I'll watch you do it

.

regards

Richard

Daniel · 07 October 2005, 03:26

Why are all RIBers so anti-anti-foul (sorry could not resist the phrase).

Top-Banana is antifouled. She still does 45+knts. It looks fine. I've never had a barnacle or weed problem and at one stage she must have been afloat for 4-6 mths continusly. Aside from traveling she was afloat almost for 14 months.

I realise those who trailer don't need to - fine - i was there once too, and those who can afford or have access to dry berthing is also fine. But i still see antifoul as a viable option if you want to leave the boat afloat.

I say antifoul. Pay your money, have it done professionally and it will last 3+ years.

Rodan · 07 October 2005, 09:26

Any locals have any idea of how much it costs to dry sail a rib from shepherds or any other in cowes?

mine is antifouled but thought of getting rid of it - is this a real hassle? Do you need to redo the gel coat once crap is removed?

Hugh Jardon · 07 October 2005, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

I'll be doing mine again next weekend so if you are in the Chichester area I'll show you if you like how easy it is, or you could be my apprentice and I'll watch you do it

.

I hope it's all clean for when we go out, would hate to go out in a dirty boat!"!!!

haha

see ya sunday

Nauti Buoy · 07 October 2005, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hartley

I hope it's all clean for when we go out, would hate to go out in a dirty boat!"!!!

haha

see ya sunday

Ha but I'm afraid I do not have a kettle on board or a loo like you have in your Shetland!!!!

Hugh Jardon · 07 October 2005, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Ha but I'm afraid I do not have a kettle on board or a loo like you have in your Shetland!!!!

god these ribs are like roughing it arn't they.........
however you would not want to be in the shetland 4+2 in a rough sea, oh my god no, no bilge pump and water if it came in would go inside the cabin and cant get out.....not so good.....ruin the carpet!

but when the sun is out and the fridge is on, bacon and sausages are on the grill, the kettle is on and the teapot is going full chat, or beers are chilled and the sea is flat then its not a bad place to be. She climbs on the plane gently and will go up to around 26knts with a honda 90 on the back which aint bad but if it is a bit choppy then it gets a bit uncomfortable to say the least..