Excessive fouling on 10 month old Sunseeker

[Portofino40]

New here, so be gentle!

My 10 month old Sunseeker has just come out of the water, and the stern drives look like this:

The zinc anodes appear to have done their job, but have all but disappeared

Anyone else experienced this??

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Welcome to the forum. That _is_ bad fouling, wow. Where are you moored? Has the boat been used much? Do you keep her on permanent shorepower? Have you got an galvanic isolator?

 

[volvopaul]

Classic worm issue, I've seen boats that have been in the water a lot less time than that and worse. Especially in Weymouth this year.

The problem you have is there is no antifoul on the drive just nice shiny paint and plastic covers which is a breeding ground for marine growth, whilst drives do look nice and clean when the boats in the hard standing it has no protection once it's in the water.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Anode wastage is a bit fierce though, dontcha think?

 

[Portofino40]

Thank you

She's moored at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton.

To be honest, not a great deal, well, not as much as I should have.

Yes, she is permanently plugged in, but we have had issues with shore power tripping out, and the engine batteries going dead, so more recently she has been isolated.

Yes, the Portofino 40 has galvanic isolators as part of it's standard specification.

I have to confess I am new to boats, and finding it a minefield!

 

[Portofino40]

Classic worm issue, I've seen boats that have been in the water a lot less time than that and worse. Especially in Weymouth this year.

The problem you have is there is no antifoul on the drive just nice shiny paint and plastic covers which is a breeding ground for marine growth, whilst drives do look nice and clean when the boats in the hard standing it has no protection once it's in the water.

These 'worms' you speak of, what exactly are they?

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

I use a shorepower monitor that texts me when the shorepower has gone off for whatever reason. Save the catastrophic misfortune of warm beer when you arrive on the boat.

 

[Portofino40]

I use a shorepower monitor that texts me when the shorepower has gone off for whatever reason. Save the catastrophic misfortune of warm beer when you arrive on the boat.

Sounds like an essential purchase, any recommendations?

 

[itchenseadog]

Classic worm issue, I've seen boats that have been in the water a lot less time than that and worse. Especially in Weymouth this year.

The problem you have is there is no antifoul on the drive just nice shiny paint and plastic covers which is a breeding ground for marine growth, whilst drives do look nice and clean when the boats in the hard standing it has no protection once it's in the water.

+1
Its about right for Ocean Village. For some reason suppliers of new boats will ensure the hull is antifouled but ignore nice shiny outdrives and trim tabs. Where are you lifted out, is it Shamrock Quay? If so give Nick Morris a call at Saxon Wharf 07950 435172 and get him to check your outdrives out. He is independant but Volvo trained and has been around for years so knows what he is talking about, gives good advice, and importantly very reasonably priced.

 

[Portofino40]

She's back in Poole for the winter as there are a number of warranty issues that need looking at.

She's scheduled for her first year service with Golden Arrow in February, who will be doing both the engines and stern drives, so they should be able to identify any issues (fingers crossed that there aren't any!)

Thanks for the heads up on Nick, I'll save his number for a later date

 

[Portofino]

This works .
It's your hull antifoul ,over VP Gray paint
Welcome to the forum

 

[Portofino40]

This works .
It's your hull antifoul ,over VP Gray paint
Welcome to the forum

Thank you!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Sounds like an essential purchase, any recommendations?

I made my own using a gsm relay box, but it's a reasonably common requirement and does come up on the forum from time to time. Here's a recent thread:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?411577-Remote-Boat-Security-and-Temp-Control

 

[petem]

This works .
It's your hull antifoul ,over VP Gray paint
Welcome to the forum

I think I'd have gone for black or grey A/F. Suspect the OP didn't have any anti fouling on (as per VolvoPaul's suggestion). Whoever antifouled the hull should have suggested that the drives be done too. How long did the prop paint last for? 10 minutes?

 

[Portofino40]

Thanks petem

Boat was brand new in February, so I guess Sunseeker only anti foul the hull, and not the stern drives etc, you live and learn eh?

Moving forward I need to find a solution

 

[Portofino]

I think I'd have gone for black or grey A/F. Suspect the OP didn't have any anti fouling on (as per VolvoPaul's suggestion). Whoever antifouled the hull should have suggested that the drives be done too. How long did the prop paint last for? 10 minutes?

Props -etched with HCL acid 10 mins rinced /dryed -metal primed -left 24 hrs -then antifouled -24 hrs launched .
It worked all last season on 3 -the rear port prop kinda 1/2 spun off .( suspect damp ? )
Rest worked fine .
Colour -yup if there was a next time then black - but I sold it at the end of last season

Below is a " Black " version done @ Aprea Mare factory by Italiens on the replacement
I would like to know the thinking behind leaving just bare metal ? Or painted outdrives ?

 

[mm1]

Welcome to the forum
One thing I was told was that once an anode is 2/3rds worn it should be replaced, it is obvious after this it is not doing what it should. Don't believe it when people say they should last a year! After 9months they are not protecting anything.
I am only talking about prop ring anodes, trim tab & bar anodes will last 12 months.
Regards MM1.

 

[Robg71]

One thing I was told was that once an anode is 2/3rds worn it should be replaced, it is obvious after this it is not doing what it should.

Shell, BP, Centrica, Hess, Statoil... etc etc etc.... dont replace their anodes when 2/3 worn.....
If its not lasting a year fit a larger one
unless of course it actually has an issue and is been eaten by some stray currents....

 

[LionsDen]

She's back in Poole for the winter as there are a number of warranty issues that need looking at.

She's scheduled for her first year service with Golden Arrow in February, who will be doing both the engines and stern drives, so they should be able to identify any issues (fingers crossed that there aren't any!)

Thanks for the heads up on Nick, I'll save his number for a later date

Any reason why you are using Golden Arrow as opposed to RK Marine

 

[Portofino40]

Hi lionsden

She is in Poole, so Golden Arrow seem a logical choice! (she won't be back in the water until March, and the service is due mid February)

Plus, Golden Arrow were about £400 cheaper, quote for quote!

No issues with RK, they did the first inspection on her at 6 months