Black Lines; Dirty Rain; Jet Fuel and Spiders

IRC Kevin

IRC Kevin

Active Member
Joined
31 Jul 2010
Messages
57
Location
Wigan/Windremere
www.intrescue.org
:(
I don't know what it is about this year, but keeping the boat clean has been a nightmare. It doesn't matter how much polish and wax we put on, but one night's rain= loads of black lines and vynyl that looks like it's been caked with soot.
Another problem seems to be little splotches of jet fuel (thanks RAF), which get worse the closer you are moored to the channel by Belle Isle, which is the RAF's favourite low-fly zone.
We have only had two rain-free days in the last six weeks and to add insult to injury, there is a hosepipe ban, so washing the boat involves mucho bucketing!
The wildlife has also got it in for us and although just over a week ago, we unhoused a dozen spiders, we then got rid of another 23 yesterday! How on Earth do you keep the little blighters off?

Anyone else finding the same problems?
 
sarabande said:
bet you don't have any flies on the boat !


Try this page. He offers guarantees, but you need 240 v.

http://www.primrose.co.uk/budget-spider-repeller-whole-house-p-6478.html?source=yahooads

Neem oil (available from Heath and Heathers, the High St green food people) is reputed to be very good. Has other advantages too.
Click to expand...

That budget spider repeller looks the business, but not sure it would work in the cockpit, where the big problem is, as we'd have to plug it in below and no electric wires for the elctromagnetic waves to travel along in the cockpit.

I like spiders, but you can have too much of a good thing. They're virtually abseiling down from the canopy to steal the food from my mouth! Took all the canvas down yesterday and scrubbed the lot. Five minutes after putting it all back on we had more spiders in it.
 
I heard that Bounce tumble drier sheets spread around the cockpitwere the dog's nads for ensuring a spiderless boat. so I got some.

I received a brief note thanking me for the lovely new fragrence, but Aunt Maud, already on her 4th complete web preferered the Lavender variety best and if I could see my way to.........

spiders, black rain streaks and dusty, blurry, soft plastic canopy windows are as much a part of boating as opening your wallet and recoiling in horror as the till rings up the Swindler's total.
 
Start collecting some conkers, it's the outer green "spikey" shells that you need. Stick them through a juicer and add the contents to a cockpit spray or a paste wax. Go over all the fender and mooring ropes inside any canopy zips & under rubbing strakes. The actual conkers themselves bore a small hole in the base of each and then can be left around the boat in small bowls, decorative and serving a purpose.
With regard to the black streaks: you can't stop what comes out of the sky (I wish) but you can protect what it falls on. I have found that most metal poppers and the like will leach out black streaks also canopies tend to hold onto dirt for the next time it rains. Clean & wax all metalwork and deep clean covers and protect with a water beading application like Fabsil.
If the black streaks do not wipe off the gelcoat with a single wipe from your finger then the surface profile is not where it needs to be, it will hold onto stains and regular waxing will be a waste of time.:)
 
Spray

I purchased an anti spider spray, will check the brand when on the boat at weekend

Think it was about £9.00 but works great, we use in the cockpit and it seems to last a good few weeks, no spiders at all. Had the same Spray since last season so not bad value. Has a bit of a sweet smell to begin with

Nick
 
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