Observations after boat in the chuck for 5 months...

[sheral]

Just pulled our tug out today as there are some bigger winds forecast for the weekend. So just a ‘fwiw’ posting to report the condition of the tug after 5 months of living at our buoy in salt water.

The anodes were all new when the boat went in during May. The boat had a fresh coat of Interlux Micron CSC, and two coats of Alumi-Koat clear spray on thruster prop, engine prop, etc.

All anodes (even though some were aluminum and some zinc (thruster anode was aluminum) were about 50%. There was absolutely no fouling on the bottom of the boat nor on the thruster prop and main prop. The Alumi-Koat was recommended by a marine shop and I am very impressed with both the Alumi-Koat and the Micron CSC. The first year we had the boat, the thruster prop and tunnel were loaded with growth and the boats bottom had quite a bit of slime on it. (Bottom paint was outsourced by the dealership).

I know results will vary by location, but just thought some may be interested. I was getting a little concerned that the thruster anode may be getting down to nothing (as it’s so small) but it could have lasted a good while yet. So now the clean up / maintenance starts 🙂

 

[Two killicks]

Great info, I will put the boat in the water next season, this is helpfull.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for posting this. Our boat has always been stored on the trailer but we'll be in the water all summer next year cruising SE AK. So this spring will paint the bottom. Presumably the onslaught of marine growth there will be similar to what you get in your area.

 

[sheral]

The only place I had any marine growth was on the raw water intake grate (I will look into the pros and cons of bottom painting the raw water intake grate) and some on the rudder pivot points . A quick dive / survey to remove the growth of mussels on the grate a few months into the season works too.

 

[Two killicks]

I bought some Interlux Micron CSC and was wondering of I need to put some bottom paint on the rudder too on our tug? the tug will be in fresh water for 5 months