Excess weed growth on my hull

[border collie]

Can anyone suggest how I can remove the huge growth of weed on and below my waterline that has appeared within the past 4-6 weeks? My home berth is in a marina basin off a river in the south west of England.

 

Her hull was blacked August 2014. I have never before seen such a rapid long and thick growth of weed. Presumably it's the result of a warm April into May along with high water nutrient levels from the density of residential boats in the basin. I am afraid it will seriously impede progress when I set off cruising at the beginning of July.

 

I am reluctant simply to take a brush to it as this I'm afraid could remove the blacking. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Tx. B.C.

[Leo No2]

I would take it out on the river and give it a good run (as fast as local regulations and moored boats permit) - I think you'll be surprised how much of the weed will come off.

[bottle]

If a brush removes the blacking then the blacking is no good.

 

Depends on brush of course, do not use a wire brush.

 

Brushing will remove some but not all.

[Naughty Cal]

As others have said take the boat for a run.

 

We had a fair bit of growth on our drive, that has come off now with a combination of using the boat and sitting it in salt water for a few days.

[Dave_P]

I can't see what the problem is. It's weed, It won't stop your boat moving. Just leave it.

[bizzard]

It's good. Its when there isn't any weed growth you need to worry which means the blacking's worn off.

[Woodstock]

We had more weed on ours than usual but we were late taking our boat out this year- As other have said, it does come off during a trip out

Edited June 2, 2015 by Woodstock

[Dharl]

I can't see what the problem is. It's weed, It won't stop your boat moving. Just leave it.

 

 

weed will slow you down, increase the load on your engine and increase your fuel consumption. How much will depend on how much weed there is!

 

Would suggest giving it a scrub with a long handled deck brush followed by a good fast (as allowed) passage to keep it off. Regular use of the boat will slow down any growth.

 

Had one ship which after not moving for a while had over 2m long weed growth and we could only use the engine at half speed (but with same fuel consumption as full speed) until we could get divers down to clean her. She had been moored off West Africa for 6 months mind you!!

 

 

Question: If moored on a River, possible brackish water rather than Fresh depending how close you are to the Sea, is blacking the right covering for the underwater section or would anti-fouling paint be more appropriate?

[J R ALSOP]

As others have said:- go boating.

[David Schweizer]

Take the boat out of the marina and moor up near some ducks, they will soon clear the weed from your hull, but expect to be woken up about 4am as the peck it off the hull.

[bassplayer]

Take the boat out of the marina and moor up near some ducks, they will soon clear the weed from your hull, but expect to be woken up about 4am as the peck it off the hull.

I was going to say that...and we've just had a load of signets pecking away at the weed today. Interestingly the parents couldn't be arsed. Maybe they are waiting for the the wholemeal bread in the morning...

[AMModels]

hahahaha the number of times you get woken at 4 am thinking the boats being machine gunned until the weed is all gone!

[muddywaters]

Well my experience today when cooking dinner.

Looked up and down the canal by sticking my head out of the window.

Heard an almighty splash.

I had spooked about five ducklings and mother.

Their reaction spooked me.

Don't know which of us where more spooked lol

[Alan Saunders]

weed will slow you down, increase the load on your engine and increase your fuel consumption. How much will depend on how much weed there is!

 

Would suggest giving it a scrub with a long handled deck brush followed by a good fast (as allowed) passage to keep it off. Regular use of the boat will slow down any growth.

 

Had one ship which after not moving for a while had over 2m long weed growth and we could only use the engine at half speed (but with same fuel consumption as full speed) until we could get divers down to clean her. She had been moored off West Africa for 6 months mind you!!

 

 

Question: If moored on a River, possible brackish water rather than Fresh depending how close you are to the Sea, is blacking the right covering for the underwater section or would anti-fouling paint be more appropriate?

+1 for the long-handled deck brush and a cruise.

[alan_fincher]

As others have said:- go boating.

Plus one.

 

Using the boat will quickly result in much of it disappearing, (unless you are one or two of the boats I have followed recently not moving fast enough to remove anything! ).

 

After that, any residual growth isn't worth worrying about.