[Rhodes22-list] Salt Water Rhodes

[Rick]

Jay,

Keeping a boat docked in Lake Erie requires moving the board at least once
a week, whether you keep it up or down.   That way the mussels won't bind
it.  I suppose in your area you need to move your board more often to the
point it becomes impractical.

Rick

On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 6:22 PM, Jay Curry <jac2 at wavecable.com> wrote:

> 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:
> > http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/Salt-Water-Rhodes-tp44881.html
> > Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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