Thruster Growth

[LADYBUG TOO]

We used Seahawk Cucote on the thruster tunnel and props with some success. We still have a time clearing barnacles off of the gear box. It seems that we have to clean the thrusters every two or three weeks to keep them clear enough to function properly. Has anyone tried some type of removable plug that could be inserted in the bow thuster tunnel?

I am thinking about putting a Walmart bag over the stern thruster. I am so desparate I may even bag the prop and hang a separate zinc over when we are going to be at the dock for more that a week or two. Am I crazy or just frustrated?

Pat and Carolyn, Ladybug, Too

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Hi Pat and Carolyn:

Barnacles, the joy of marine growth, are a problem. You did the proper thing by bottom painting the thruster housing and props, this does help. Barnacles seem to grow rapidly in Florida and the Chesapeake Bay, based on my experience vs other areas and although bottom paint helps I've found another tool is to (if you're at the boat but not leaving the dock for weeks) run the thrusters occasionally to disturb the growth. I've used the Seahawk Cucote on a prior boat and when I bottom painted our R27 I used Petit Vivid. For 2 months in the Keys I had no marine growth, maybe I got lucky but in my experience the Petit seemed to ward off the little buggers better. Lastly to hang the zinc over the side while at dock would be very helpful for controlling metal corrosion but would not prevent barnacles from growing. Like you said barnacles can be very frustrating!

 

[knotflying]

My experience has been the same as Jim's. I also use petit vivid and had very little barnacle growth. I would also say. running th thrusters on a regular basis probably make a difference.

 

[TonyM]

There was a post of an ultra sonic alternative to bottom paint in Feb


An Ultrasonic alternative to bottom paint

Postby ngleadow on Sat Feb 09, 2013 11:39 am
Hia all;

At the Vancouver Boat Show there was an exhibit of http://westcoastultrasonics.ca They were selling an ultrasonic solution to bottom paint, which sounds great in terms of long term savings and environmental impact. Apparently someone noticed that the ultrasonic emitters in submarines never got covered with marine growth. They put 2 and 2 together, and developed this ultrasonic solution for small boats.

Has anyone had experience with this system?

Cheers

Norm on Blue Socks

http://westcoastultrasonics.ca/

 

[bbrh842]

I tried an ultrasonic device that was GUARANTEED to repell mosquitos. It did not work at all. Do barnacles have ears?

 

[TonyM]

I would hope that for almost $1000 dollars that it works.
Did you watch their video?
I saw a claim somewhere that it protected half the hull of a boat moored next to them.

 

[knotflying]

I have never seen a marketing piece that showed the product was not effective. The theory sounds good, but I would want to see and hear from many end users before I would put my money into a product you can't even see.

 

[bbrh842]

I want the boats on either side of my slip to install the thing. Each one should keep one side of my boat clean, right ?????

 

[baz]

My two Fox Terriers do a marvelous job at repelling things… just need to teach them how to bark underwater. :lol:

 

[tlkenyon]

Kinda like I do not need to know CPR, but everyone around me does?