Bottom paint required in brackish water?

[the butcher]

I am thinking about getting a slip at milltown or vancouver marina...I believe the technical definition of the water around there is brackish water. The worker at one of those marinas tell me that when boats are hauled out there is never any barnacles on them. Just algae and growth you'd expect in the fraser river. If I haul out and pressure wash hull once a year, do I still need to bottom paint my 24ft aluminum boat? This is my first time having a slip for my boat since it has always been on a trailer. Thanks

 

[ab1752]

I think youre good at either and the river moves fast af to clean things up. But junk grows equally fast out on the straits so my preference would be to paint the hull.

 

[the butcher]

It will be in the salt just when I am out fishing for the day and then back to the marina... so you are saying I won't need bottom paint if it stays in the slip at either of the marinas mentioned above?

 

[noluck]

you will get a grass skirt in the river, paint or not. if not painted it is harder to get off and stains pretty bad

 

[ab1752]

Ya im gonna change my tune as I slipped over the aluminum part, I'd definitely do bottom paint.

 

[Pewpster]

The water at Milltown gets pretty stagnant and dirty, lots of nutrients for stuff to grow. You may not get barnacles but there will be substantially growth after a few months let alone a year.

 

[Aquaholic]

Have you thought about their rack system with phone app? Bottom paint not required.

 

[the butcher]

Yes I have but ive heard when it's busy like September time-frame, you won't get out till close to noon unless you book way ahead. Sounds like a good system but I've heard it can be a pain in the butt. But that's only feedback from 1 person I've talked to...anyone with different experience? Can they rack a 25ft aluminum boat with enclosed cabin?

Actually I inquired last year and was told earliest time for having a yard worker unpack your boat is 845. If you want to go earlier you have to book a time.near the end of day before and they leave the boat tied up to their dock... just doesn't seem like a system that I can use for last minute trips or unplanned trips.

 

[Rain City]

Yes I have but ive heard when it's busy like September time-frame, you won't get out till close to noon unless you book way ahead. Sounds like a good system but I've heard it can be a pain in the butt. But that's only feedback from 1 person I've talked to...anyone with different experience? Can they rack a 25ft aluminum boat with enclosed cabin?

Actually I inquired last year and was told earliest time for having a yard worker unpack your boat is 845. If you want to go earlier you have to book a time.near the end of day before and they leave the boat tied up to their dock... just doesn't seem like a system that I can use for last minute trips or unplanned trips.

I have a slip for sublet at Burrard Civic if you're interested. Now until end of Aug at least. Maybe September too

 

[Aquaholic]

Yes I have but ive heard when it's busy like September time-frame, you won't get out till close to noon unless you book way ahead. Sounds like a good system but I've heard it can be a pain in the butt. But that's only feedback from 1 person I've talked to...anyone with different experience? Can they rack a 25ft aluminum boat with enclosed cabin?

Actually I inquired last year and was told earliest time for having a yard worker unpack your boat is 845. If you want to go earlier you have to book a time.near the end of day before and they leave the boat tied up to their dock... just doesn't seem like a system that I can use for last minute trips or unplanned trips.

My neighbour uses it all the time, you do have to plan as others also need their boat in the water and ready to go. I would think that weekends would be busier.

 

[Pewpster]

Yes I have but ive heard when it's busy like September time-frame, you won't get out till close to noon unless you book way ahead. Sounds like a good system but I've heard it can be a pain in the butt. But that's only feedback from 1 person I've talked to...anyone with different experience? Can they rack a 25ft aluminum boat with enclosed cabin?

Actually I inquired last year and was told earliest time for having a yard worker unpack your boat is 845. If you want to go earlier you have to book a time.near the end of day before and they leave the boat tied up to their dock... just doesn't seem like a system that I can use for last minute trips or unplanned trips.

Drystack works well for me. Minimum 1 hour in advance to book, all done through an app. They cant use the lift during very low tides I think 1.4m for the middle arm so those times are blocked out. They can for sure lift and store a 25', not sure about availability for a rack spot. Drawbacks are of course planning ahead and working on your boat on the dock is supposed to be limited to 2 hours and minor repairs. They can put your boat on a work bunk in the yard to do maintenance, I think 2 round trips annually included and about $100 round trip after that. Not as easy as a slip for last minute trips but i prefer keeping the boat stored dry and covered.

 

[Brando]

Go with interlux VC performance epoxy, it will act as a barrier coat, and bottom paint in one. Very slippery stuff works great. Do a quick acid etch, mark your waterline and then roll it on. Will make cleanup very quick and easy when you haul out and while it won’t sluff like an ablative any of that slime has a hard time sticking to it and you’ll find it falls off underway

 

[One More]

Go with interlux VC performance epoxy, it will act as a barrier coat, and bottom paint in one. Very slippery stuff works great. Do a quick acid etch, mark your waterline and then roll it on. Will make cleanup very quick and easy when you haul out and while it won’t sluff like an ablative any of that slime has a hard time sticking to it and you’ll find it falls off underway

My boat has been moored in the river for the last few years and is fairly stained. Would an acid etch be enough or more prep required?

 

[Brando]

My boat has been moored in the river for the last few years and is fairly stained. Would an acid etch be enough or more prep required?

Assuming it’s an aluminum, a good pressure wash and then acid etch should do it.

 

[ship happens]

Paint or no paint you'll grow a beard. Have to shave it once and a while. It's not a big deal to get the stain off of fiberglass. Muratic or hydrochloric acid diluted and comes right out.

 

[the butcher]

Go with interlux VC performance epoxy, it will act as a barrier coat, and bottom paint in one. Very slippery stuff works great. Do a quick acid etch, mark your waterline and then roll it on. Will make cleanup very quick and easy when you haul out and while it won’t sluff like an ablative any of that slime has a hard time sticking to it and you’ll find it falls off underway

Do you paint the outboard trim bracket that is usually in the water and tabs or can those items be left alone.

 

[the butcher]

Paint or no paint you'll grow a beard. Have to shave it once and a while. It's not a big deal to get the stain off of fiberglass. Muratic or hydrochloric acid diluted and comes right out.

Any ideas how easy or tough it would be to get off aluminum bare bottom and the painted sides that are partially in the water?

 

[ship happens]

Any ideas how easy or tough it would be to get off aluminum bare bottom and the painted sides that are partially in the water?

@Brando would be the guy to ask

 

[Brando]

Ok, so full disclosure use this product at your own risk you need full PPE and do not want to get any on your bare skin please read the sds and be safe when using. I wear rubber rain gear and a full face respirator, rubber gloves etc. https://www.bbspro.ca/our-products/alubrite-801/

Pressure wash the hull then Apply with a standard pump sprayer take care not to get it on anything but the area you want to clean. It will foam up don’t let it dry wait about 5min and then hose it all off and do it again. Best to do it first thing in the morning (cooler temp not direct sunlight)

After that you should be nice and clean and have an almost white color to the aluminum let the hull dry ( leaf blower helps) once dry you can apply your paint.