Roplene Hull Barnacle Question

[Gentlebear]

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.

[Stoney]

I'm not sure about this story. It sounds great. The previous owner of my 170cc left it in saltwater unpainted. When I bought it there were barnacles all over the hull and transom. Took a pressure washer and some scrubbing with a good brush, but they did come off and the hull looks great. I trailer my boat now, but if I were to leave it in the water I would paint the bottom even though I hear it is a lot of work. Let us know what you end up doing.
-Stoney-

[NCangler]

I left my 210 in the water down in Oriental, NC for two weeks once and I'll never do that again. The water in the river there is brackish, with fresh water from the Neuse River and saltwater from the Pamlico Sound. The stuff that attached to the hull was difficult to get off even with a pressure washer. I was told by my dealer to let it dry then power wash it off. I did that but still had to take a scrub brush to it. I don't know if barnacles would come off easier or not but I always put mine back on the trailer now if I'm not going to be using it on the water for more than 2-3 days.

[TI Frank]

Just pulled my 17CC from a saltwater creek in Delaware Bay. What a mess....left it in for 6 weeks. Barnicles all over and extremely difficult to remove. Looking for suggestions?
Help? The base of the barnicle is the toughest. The boat is stained also. Spray with vineger. Has this happened before to anyone? The stains seem like they're inthe ropolene. Metal scrapers ok to use?

Thanks,
Frank

[TI Frank]

forgot to mention, I take full responsibility for this. I know that anything over one week could be a problem. Didn't realize it would be such a mess...guess who will be painting the boat for next season....dopey frank....lol

[NJWardy]

Frank,

I saw a dealer use a high power pressure washer on a boat loaded with barnicles. Came off looking like new. The boat was not bottom painted either. If you can trailer it to one of those self wash car washes...they are usually powerful.

[TI Frank]

thanks NJWardy. I used a wimpy electric power washer and my brother has a super heavy duty one so I'll try that next. Where do you fish out of in NJ?

Are you close to Sea Isle or Townsends Inlet?
Frank

[NJWardy]

Ocean City. Just waiting on the stripers now...

[TI Frank]

Originally Posted by NJWardy

Ocean City. Just waiting on the stripers now...

check out the sod banks at dusk. Use top water lures ....smak-its. I caught two shorts last week. Thanks see you out there...
Frank

[NCangler]

Okay folks here is the word on Barnacle removal on a Roplene Hull:

The trick to getting barnacles off of Roplene is to let them die first. If allowed to die and dry, the entire barnacle will come off. Time will vary with the weather but two weeks is usually enough time. If you
attack them as soon as the boat is pulled from the water you will only
get the body of the barnacle off and the base will stay. Regarding the
staining... I would try straight bleach first. If that did not work I
would try an acid based cleaner like On/Off.

In the situation of the boat described in the thread I would not do
either. I would use the stain line as water line reference and sand and
prime the bottom and put on bottom paint. It's likely that the boats
going to end up with barnacles again.