Big Log

[Maggie Anne]

Coming back from Victoria to Birch Bay today the seas were pretty choppy but with the wind and waves behind us we were going along pretty good, 25 mph, and although both of us were looking ahead for obstacles all of a sudden we heard a loud thump and looking behind us I saw a pretty big log in the water that we'd hit. Continuing on to the marina I noticed no change in handling or engine sound and once in the slip with the motor raised I saw no obvious impact marks on the hull or engine. I feel like I should have it hauled and inspect the bottom but other than a hole or crack is there anything I should be looking for?

 

[Cowichan]

There are far more logs out there than usual, I’m not sure why. This weekend up through the Gulf Islands myself and others were dodging them consistently. We live just a bit North of Victoria in Mill Bay. A log would be more likely to scrape unless hit dead-on, and so perhaps the damage may be as little as having removed some of your bottom paint. Did it hit the prop or- if an outboard- the leg?

 

[Maggie Anne]

When looking back at the log it was parallel to the waves with the long axis more or less perpendicular to our path so it seems like we should have hit and run over the log unless we hit near the end and pushed it aside.

We have the R27 OB, the outboard seems fine, no impact marks on either the lower unit or the prop. Also no water in the bilge.

 

[Shano]

We hit a log in P.A. Inlet a few years ago going maybe 14 knots. We could feel a large bump/vibration and see the log behind which was about 2 foot diameter. The log hit the bow and caused $400 damage in fiberglass work. My suggestion is to haul the boat when you get a chance as at a minimum there will be some scaped paint. If you don't have any water coming in anywhere then you should be fine but obviously keep an eye on it or have someone check it for the next few days. In our case the log was also pependicular to our path when we saw it behind us. It actually happened on our sea trial and I was at the helm - I was checking the plotter and then looking up and then adjusting something on the plotter and then bang. It was about 2 foot chop and the log had mottled bark on it and it was parallel to the waves and would have been difficult to see at the best of times. Can't be too careful in the PNW.
Good Luck

 

[Maggie Anne]

It was a calm day today so I ran the boat from Birch Bay down to Bitter End Boatworks in Bellingham (28 miles) to have it hauled so I could inspect the bottom after the log strike. The only damage was a scuff mark about an inch wide and 10 inches long where the bottom paint was scraped off and you can see the red of the hull show through. There is a photo of this in my album. "Built Ranger Tough!"

I assume it's ok to leave this as is until it's time to reapply the bottom paint, which leads me to the question of when to do so, how often does one need to repaint the bottom? I've read that the bottom paint that Ranger uses is Seahawk AF33 but I'm not sure if that is for the all the models, it seems like the outboard versions might use a less ablative paint? Is there a recommendation for what paint to use for the next time. The hull looks pretty clean in this image but it was pressure washed in April, it was fairly clean then as well although there was lots of growth on the unpainted trim tabs and drain plug.

 

[BradOwens]

We have our bottom paint redone every 3 years. We have a diver inspect, clean the bottom, and renew the zincs 2 or 3 times a year as needed. We used the Seahawk AF33.

 

[scross]

Many of the different bottom paints are not compatible with one another. Find out from the factory or your dealer what bottom paint was applied and keep using it. Frequency of applications depends a lot in where you keep your boat and how you use it. When it stops working and you are getting a significant amount of growth then it’s time for a new application.

Sometimes you can do a light sanding and apply a new coat(s) but other times you will need to remove most all before applying a new coat or two. Follow the manufacture’s application recommendations.

High pressure power washing can literally peal off the bottom paint so be careful with doing it.