Do i need to antifoul my boat?

[teejayem]

Hi
My boat is currently out of the water and the hull looks very clean.As its on a freshwater lake do i need to treat the hull?The hull was epoxied from new but that was 16 years ago so probably not relevant.The boat has been on Windermere for the last 4 years-prior to that was on Solent.Any help appreciated

 

[Ronald_M]

I kept my boat on Windermere (Bowness Bay) last year without applying any anti-fouling.

When she was lifted out, there was some green staining below the water-line. This was fairly easily removed by pressure-washing, leaving a reasonably clean hull.

Apparently, some parts of Windermere are more prone to fouling than others - seek local knowledge/ask the Lake Wardens - but the answer to your question is probably no.

One tip - pressure-wash your hull immediately after lifting out, otherwise the green slime will cake on and be more difficult to remove.

Ron.

 

[Searush]

Freshwater boats don't get barnacles, but the slime & weed & other growths are just as much a problem when sailing. I presume there will be a specialist freshwater antifoul if you look for it at the Windermere chandlers.

Your other problem is that you can't scrub off between tides like I can if I choose not to antifoul.

 

[matelot]

you might like to try what a relative of mine does - lift out the boat, spray the underwater with cheap household bleach to kill off any growth, leave it for an hour or two and pressure wash. all done june/july time when the first flush of green growth has occurred.

 

[Lakesailor]

I had 3 boats on swinging moorings on Windermere. I'm just patching the anti-foul on a friend's this morning. I've always used Blakes Broads Antifoul or a hard antifoul. Frankly if the gel coat (or epoxy coat) is good there isn't any need. Antifoul doesn't waterproof, so the water still is held in contact with the gelcoat.
The weeds and slime are best cleaned off as soon as the boat comes out as has been suggested.
The only thing that I would say is that using a dark blue or black antifoul helps reduce the reflected light below the water level and the slime likes the light filtering down through the water to allow it to grow.

This was the day I recovered and delivered Slippy to Ullswater. The growth, at this point, would wipe of with a finger. It had been in the water for a year.

 

[teejayem]

Thanks for all replies- again!!!