New Rules for Bottom Paint

[KnottyBuoys]

In Maryland there is a new law that state that it is illegal to scrub ablative paint in the water. I race a couple times a year so I scrub the bottom to get excess slime off. Looks like now I can not. Should I change my paint from ablative to hard?

[boatman61]

May give you that extra 1/4 knot to boot....

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, KnottyBuoys.

[daddle]

Shouldn't be scrubbing the ablative anyway. If frequent sailing is not good enough then wiping with a cotton diaper should do it.

Your Honor, I was not not scrubbing the paint, I was wiping off the slime ....

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by KnottyBuoys

In Maryland there is a new law that state that it is illegal to scrub ablative paint in the water. I race a couple times a year so I scrub the bottom to get excess slime off. Looks like now I can not. Should I change my paint from ablative to hard?

Please post a regulation citation. From what I see there is advice against excessive scrubbing, but not an outright ban.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/c...rwaterhull.pdf

Scrubbing ablatives has never been a good idea--it shortens the life of the paint and pollutes the water--but if done very gently and only 1-2 times per year, the effective life of the paint can be extended to 2 years with better paints. It is a tricky line, but if done carefully and with the intention of getting 2 years from the paint, then probably no more copper is released than by another sailor that repaints every year and releases more because of his new paint's higher leaching rate.

I like berber carpet squares. Wipe only the areas that need it and only as much needed. If it grows back in less than a few months, you're due for a new paint job. If the whole boat needs scrubbed, you probably need new paint.

[Whimsy]

Originally Posted by KnottyBuoys

In Maryland there is a new law that state that it is illegal to scrub ablative paint in the water...

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-- C. S. Lewis

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Whimsy

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies ...

But probably not, IMHO.
Notwithstanding, why should we suffer either?

[Morgan3820]

Originally Posted by Whimsy

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-- C. S. Lewis

If I win the lottery, among the many beneficial things that I will do, one would be to hire a couple of lawyers and pay them $$$$ to get all of the Nanny State laws declared unconstitutional.

Natural Selection rules!

[Zednotzee]

Originally Posted by KnottyBuoys

Should I change my paint from ablative to hard?

I think the big boys use a hard bottom paint anyway. I don't think their boats usually sit in the water long though.

Originally Posted by GordMay

Notwithstanding, why should we suffer either?

Amen!

[Bash]

Switching to hard paint is a good idea. After having made the same switch, I've never looked back.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Bash

Switching to hard paint is a good idea. After having made the same switch, I've never looked back.

Step back in amazement.... !!
Well slap me round the head with a soggy cod.....
Bashhh.... are you feeling ok...
We agree on something...

[Bash]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Step back in amazement.... !!
Well slap me round the head with a soggy cod.....
Bashhh.... are you feeling ok...
We agree on something...

I'm keeping records. This appears to be the third time it's happened.

Might I soon end up shopping for bilge keels?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Bash

I'm keeping records. This appears to be the third time it's happened.

Might I soon end up shopping for bilge keels?

Now your being silly... even I would'nt do that....
Well... if it was a Wharram...

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Bash

I'm keeping records. This appears to be the third time it's happened.

Might I soon end up shopping for bilge keels?

Someone's been drinking the koolaid

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Someone's been drinking the koolaid

It's been a long day. During my afternoon class, one of my students kept mispronouncing "zooxanthellae."