A few years ago I asked a dealer about what would happen if you didn't bottom paint your Triumph and put it into Salt Water (Barnacleville :
). He told me about an experiment that was done in a Bay in Delaware that was famous for barnacle buildup. Hulls (Roplene) were left in the water for a significant time period (year?, months?). When the hulls were pulled out of the water the barnacles separated from the hulls in big sheets from their own weight and leaving a clean smooth Roplene hull behind. If I have any details wrong about this story please correct me
I would be very interested to hear any experiences anyone might have had with keeping their boat (Roplene Hull) in salt water with or without Bottom Paint.
How long would you leave an unpainted hull in salt water. Few weeks or maybe a month. Weekend only, NEVER.
Have you ever had an experience of barnacles falling off from their own weight when your boat was pulled out of the water OR evidence that barnacle buildup up was less because of water pressure on the bull (i.e. planning line on hull at cruising speed has less buildup).
There was another post about using pressure washer to clear a hull of barnacles (didn't specify whether it was bottom painted). Would be interested to hear of experiences of cleaning a hull in the water instead of pulling it out to clean. Maybe slipping on a pair of flipper and a Mask/Snorkel and flopping into the water with a stiff brush or wooden wedge to knock barnacle buildup off the hull.
Any feedback would be very much appreciated.