Barnacles

[Observer]

Noticed lots of small barnacles infesting the upper part of the sterndrive legs. Boat's been in the water 3 months with new engines and legs which weren't antifouled before she went in (was that a mistake?). What should I do:

1. Don't worry until I need to lift, then gettem cleaned up and antifouled?

2. Do it sooner rather than later 'cos will get harder to gettem off?

Thx for advice.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://aflcharters.co.uk>Dream Dancer</A>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Get em off now, the longer you leave it the more likely they are to leave a calciferous ring which is almost impossible to get rid of.

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[tcm]

yep , soonest best, using lightest poss method of removal. Fondling with leather gloves is quite good. Turn off the negine breaker though...

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[mikemcgregor]

Had the same problem a while back.....asked the same question on here....was advised to cover
the legs with a black plastic bin liner every time i left the boat for a while. Shutting the light out
appears to stop the little blighters growing.
I am pleased with the results.....dont forget to leave a note on helm position to remind yourself not to
start up until bags removed!!!

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[PaulF]

Yeah, we all like being fondled in leather gloves, wouldn't normally have advertised it here though!

The barnacles may render the gloves unsuitable for 'other purposes' but bet they work well.



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[echandlers]

If you can take your boat to a source of fresh water that will also kill them off as well, so I've heard. Both Blakes and International do a spray antifouling which is great for getting into all the nooks and crannies on out drive legs rather than traditional painting.

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[longjohnsilver]

Yes fresh water will kill them but they won't fall off the hull, they'll still have to be scraped off.

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[Andrew_Fanner]

Found that Jeyes Fluid worked quite well at dealing with barnacles, loosened them as well such that the scraper on a £1.50 from ASDA type scrubbing brush removed the things.

Smells a bit though!

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.