[Rhodes22-list] Salt Water Rhodes

[Jay Curry]

The responses I saw on bright work, gel coat, washing the hull and flushing 
the engine were very good. Here is what I would add after living here on the 
Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Seattle since 2007.

Marine growth on underwater surfaces begins immediately and grows very 
quickly. You cannot remove older growth without direct scrubbing. It is 
absolutely critical to have a good bottom paint that can handle trailering 
and to thoroughly wash the boat after every use. If you leave the boat in 
the water, you need to have a diver regularly clean the bottom. It is 
relatively inexpensive. Our cost for our 33 footer was from $60 to 100$ 
every cleaning depending on the time it took and we had it done three times 
a year.  Twice a year was not enough. Bottom brushes used from the boat or 
dock are ineffective for good cleaning. keep the bottom paint fresh and 
complete with at least an annual inspection. The Rhodes fold up keel makes 
cleaning the bottom problematic since there are areas that will be hard if 
not impossible for the diver to reach. Using a diver or getting the boat on 
the trailer for cleaning more than three times a year would probably be 
wise. We see the sun very little for about six months each year. Surfaces 
out of the water here will quickly be covered in algae growth. It is 
necessary, if the boat sits exposed for a while, to clean it about once a 
month to keep the algae from building up. You MUST KEEP THE INSIDE DRY or 
you will have an impossible task to keep it free of mold and odors. Leaks in 
the deck or cabin will have a 24/7 constant source of water in the winter. 
If you find one, you have to fix it securely and quickly.

You must plan every trip, even short ones, according to tides, currents and 
weather windows.  Currents can run 5 knots in open water and even faster in 
channels. You can get in real trouble easily if you are caught in bad 
current and/or wind conditions at the wrong time. It happens here all the 
time even to very experienced boaters. Weather windows here are very short. 
Weather, wind and wave conditions can change dramatically here within areas 
only 5 miles or so apart. If the wind is opposing the current, things can 
really get fun. Many locations refuse to even attempt predicting local wind 
conditions. Cold water and weather safety planning are critical. The water 
is always around the mid fifties or colder. Shipping traffic is heavy. You 
must be able to be seen and stay out of the lanes. There are however, many 
little bays and protected areas that lend themselves to more impulsive 
sailing. I will be outfitting my boat this spring with a Hummingbird 858 DI 
and radar reflectors in the back stays for more extended trips.

I cannot imagine keeping my Rhodes in the water here. I am still wondering 
how on earth I am going to keep the diamond board and trunk clean and free 
of critters even after just day trips here. The water is always churning 
with kelp and various other types of floating debris that clings, along with 
any critters that are in it, to anything that passes. I have not posted a 
question about it yet, but would be interested in how others do keep this 
area clean. I built an extended rigid tube to hold a nozzle I can use to get 
a strong spray up into the bunk while the boat is on the trailer. I also 
built a fold up engine stand that I can travel with and use for running the 
engine over a five gallon bucket. Beyond that and short of jacking up the 
boat for visual inspection and access, I am at a loss.

This is a great area to live in and while I miss Great Lakes sailing, the 
sailing here is very good as long as you plan your trips and prepare well 
for emergencies.

Jay
Port Angeles, WA



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "butterchurn" <amazingmisterx at gmail.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 4:44 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Salt Water Rhodes


>I may be moving to the Pacific Northwest in a couple of years.  I have no
> experience with sailing on salt water at all.  I'd like to ask what I need
> to watch out for maintenance wise that i don't need to worry about in 
> fresh
> water.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ron
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: 
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