Oil to calm waters

[Reefmagnet]

I have an old book on seamanship written in the 60's or 70's which goes into substantial detail about using oil to calm troubled waters. I haven't read that section in ages, but from what I recall the oil stops waves from breaking and very little is required.

[GaryMayo]

I wonder what a gallon of laundry soap would do? It would break the surface tension of the water. Would that make better or worse?

[s/v 'Faith']

Used motor oil works great.





















(Yes, I am kidding)

[Reefmagnet]

Lol I once accidentally spilled about 1/2 cup in the marina when changing the oil in my outboard. The water was dead calm. I was amazed just how far that small amount of oil spread itself out, all the while I had visions of $$$$$ fines for polluting. The wife started flinging some dish washing detergent around the spill and it dissipated the oil almost instantly. So yes, I assume used motor oil would indeed work great and dish washing detergent not so much (it mixes with the water).

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Lol I once accidentally spilled about 1/2 cup in the marina when changing the oil in ....

...... The wife started flinging some dish washing detergent around the spill and it dissipated the oil almost instantly. So yes, I assume used motor oil would indeed work great and dish washing detergent not so much (it mixes with the water).

Of course we know you are speaking hyphothetically... using dispersants can actually cause the fines to be higher (unless used by direction of the White House on the BP oil spill)...

it does raise the question though... if oil calms the water, might adding some Dawn (tm) dish soap then cause the waves to start to break again?

[Pato]

Oil increases the surface tension not letting wavelets start giving a calming effect

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by s/v 'Faith'

Of course we know you are speaking hyphothetically... using dispersants can actually cause the fines to be higher (unless used by direction of the White House on the BP oil spill)...

it does raise the question though... if oil calms the water, might adding some Dawn (tm) dish soap then cause the waves to start to break again?

Umm, yes, err hypothetically speaking of course!