How to get rid of deck algae?

[teensailer]

I have been trying to clean the decks of my joint-owned Swift 18 but there are loads of dark green/black spots all over it. So far the only thing which has worked for getting it out from in between the anti slip is a metal scourer, Even that doesn’t work completely and is not going to manage for the whole deck and cockpit.

So I wondered what other people use for this kind of problem?

Thanks

 

[Seastoke]

Patio majic

 

[Dellquay13]

Patio majic

As long as the boat is ashore, the run off isn’t good at all for aquatic life. Even after it has been used in dry weather and left to dry as directed, it still poses a risk to waterways when it gets wet again.
It does work though.

 

[toothless]

jet wash will get rid in a very satisfying fashion. itll also uncover lots of leaks you didn't know you had. don't point it at obvious weak points.
patio magic will kill it all but wont clean the deck.
i tend to do the (gentle) jet wash route then give it a bit of patio magic after. seems to do the job.

 

[johnalison]

As long as the boat is ashore, the run off isn’t good at all for aquatic life.

I have used it on teak and taken care not to apply excess. In any case, it is better to paint it on, eg with a deck brush, rather than spray it.

Paint it on at the indicated strength, say 1:5 when there is no risk of rain. You may not see much change for a few days until the green or black washes off at the next rain. It seems to be safe to use on fabrics such as boat canvas.

 

[teensailer]

Thanks for the replies. I wasn’t sure the jet wash would do it as it’s not super powerful and it takes a good ten minutes with the scourer to remove a mug size area. Considering the boat sat untouched and uncovered in a Scottish garden for untold years before we got her I think it’s pretty firmly stuck.

Not heard of the ‘patio magic’ before, is that something I could buy from the local gardening centre? I will try to use the jet wash first but it’s been temperamental recently so I didn’t think to use it.

I also wondered if a mould killer spray would do it if left to soak and scrubbed off with a stiff brush?

Cheers

 

[johnalison]

Thanks for the replies. I wasn’t sure the jet wash would do it as it’s not super powerful and it takes a good ten minutes with the scourer to remove a mug size area. Considering the boat sat untouched and uncovered in a Scottish garden for untold years before we got her I think it’s pretty firmly stuck.

Not heard of the ‘patio magic’ before, is that something I could buy from the local gardening centre? I will try to use the jet wash first but it’s been temperamental recently so I didn’t think to use it.

I also wondered if a mould killer spray would do it if left to soak and scrubbed off with a stiff brush?

Cheers

I used to use something called 3 in 1 mould killer but they changed the formulation and it stopped working and so changed to Patio Magic. There are various similar formulations, especially the stronger Boracol, but Patio Magic is readily available at B&Q or garden centres. From what I remember of my school botany, mould and algae are different, but PM seems to work on both.

 

[teensailer]

Ok cheers, I will retry the jet washer then if it doesn’t work, I’ll go buy some patio magic

 

[dunedin]

Ok cheers, I will retry the jet washer then if it doesn’t work, I’ll go buy some patio magic

Patio Magic is widely used by a lot of boat owners - including me for past 15 years - and works very well. Paint on (with gloves etc) when there is a day or so of dry weather (like now) and leave for a week and most should be gone.
Easily available from B&Q, garden cans or online.

Ca canny with a jet wash and an old boat, as if powerful enough to remove dirt can also remove bits of boat you don’t want removed.

 

[Momac]

 

[AMOREST]

Wet and Forget. Similar to patio magic. Available widely and off Amazon.