In or Out?

[weavis]

A couple of weeks ago, I did a quick trip to Spain (East Coast) and looked at a few places for long term berthing and living aboard. I have 3 in consideration right now. (2 on coast and one in Menorca)

What came to my attention from comments from the folks I conversed with, is that the rich waterlife REALLY attaches itself to the boats so much so that one guy covered his props if he was not going out. He would have the vessel lifted every two months and cleaned off.

Im not based in the Med yet, but it is making me explore the possiblility that an outboard or lifting prop leg might be a good thing on a smaller Catamaran. (35 foot max max) Ive always paid attention to the hulls and props, but dont want to be diving all the time scraping off.

Any Med dwellers have an opinion?

[weavis]

Not exactly what I want to be doing 5 times or more a year... at $150-$200 a lift out.

Making me look at different hull antifouling preparations hard and leaning to prop paint or even an outboard or lifting prop to remove the problem from the motor.

[atoll]

i have never found fouling to be that bad in the med compared to other areas,putting a plastic bag over the prop or synthetic plastic grease will keep them cleaner longer.

no biggie to get one of the yacht brats to dive for you,then pay them in beer,cigaretts or smut magazines...........enterprising little buggers marina kids.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by atoll

i have never found fouling to be that bad in the med compared to other areas,putting a plastic bag over the prop or synthetic plastic grease will keep them cleaner longer.

no biggie to get one of the yacht brats to dive for you,then pay them in beer,cigaretts or smut magazines...........enterprising little buggers marina kids.

smut magasines?
You mean like Powerboating Monthly?

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by weavis

You mean like Powerboating Monthly?

Hey this is a family forum.

At least going for a swim in the med means warm water to clean the props and hull sides off. It was a tad chilly doing it on Saturday in the Solent.

Pete

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Hey this is a family forum.

At least going for a swim in the med means warm water to clean the props and hull sides off. It was a tad chilly doing it on Saturday in the Solent.

Pete

Ive been missing the English humour for a lot of years.......

Only mad dogs and Englishmen go in the Solent in Winter.... You would think the cold would kill any growth wouldnt ya?

Gary

[atoll]

Originally Posted by weavis

smut magasines?
You mean like Powerboating Monthly?

i was thinking more along the lines of Guns n Ammo,or Popular Hydroponics

[weavis]

Originally Posted by atoll

i was thinking more along the lines of Guns n Ammo,or Popular Hydroponics

When I lived in California in 2002, my boat was on a popular marina (not named to protect the guilty).

One day, I hear helicopters, 2 of them and some splashes. Guys in black wet suits had jumped in and were crawing over a 70 foot houseboat. Turned out he was using it as growing platform for "hydroponics" and "medicinal herbs", but without permission from the USA......
The only reason he got caught was the electric bill per month was 4 times everyone elses and the infra red signature from his vessel almost blinded the guy looking at it from the helicopter a few weeks before

A very keen horticulturist......

[atoll]

Originally Posted by weavis

When I lived in California in 2002, my boat was on a popular marina (not named to protect the guilty).

One day, I hear helicopters, 2 of them and some splashes. Guys in black wet suits had jumped in and were crawing over a 70 foot houseboat. Turned out he was using it as growing platform for "hydroponics" and "medicinal herbs", but without permission from the USA......
The only reason he got caught was the electric bill per month was 4 times everyone elses and the infra red signature from his vessel almost blinded the guy looking at it from the helicopter a few weeks before

A very keen horticulturist......

i wonder if the parents knew?

[weavis]

So, dragging myself back to the original question, in your opinion Mr atoll, the Med is not as bad as other places, and doesnt warrant using lift out engines, unless of course I wanted to, on a Cat.

I realise powerboaters have no choice in the matter, but one Marina I talked to, near Reus did actually mention it specifically as a minor issue....and gave one free lift out and power clean a year as an incentive to be there. I have sailed boats with build up and speed loss and steering turns to poop when heavily encrusted. I dont like doing the hull thing at the best of times so it might just be the thing to do as you suggested.....

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Hey this is a family forum.

At least going for a swim in the med means warm water to clean the props and hull sides off. It was a tad chilly doing it on Saturday in the Solent.

Pete

this is why having children is so usefull,my son is already hanging out at the beach on the weekends,and going in the water.........little bugger nicked half a bottle of vodka the other day though.......not impressed as it was all i had

[atoll]

Originally Posted by weavis

So, dragging myself back to the original question, in your opinion Mr atoll, the Med is not as bad as other places, and doesnt warrant using lift out engines, unless of course I wanted to, on a Cat.

I realise powerboaters have no choice in the matter, but one Marina I talked to, near Reus did actually mention it specifically as a minor issue....and gave one free lift out and power clean a year as an incentive to be there. I have sailed boats with build up and speed loss and steering turns to poop when heavily encrusted. I dont like doing the hull thing at the best of times so it might just be the thing to do as you suggested.....

any prop is going to get fouling once you have been out a few times,as any antifouling gets washed off quite quickly.

so yes if you can lift out the water that is one benefit,but the down side off a stern drive like the sillete is they need lots of maintanance,regular oil changes etc.
no free lunch im afraid

[weavis]

Originally Posted by atoll

any prop is going to get fouling once you have been out a few times,as any antifouling gets washed off quite quickly.

so yes if you can lift out the water that is one benefit,but the down side off a stern drive like the sillete is they need lots of maintanance,regular oil changes etc.
no free lunch im afraid

Im looking at the catalac 8m. It has a choice of outboard or twin diesels. For what I will be using it for... ie not world cruising.. just working within a 150 mile radius...and then only using the engine when into wind..... it might be a better deal. I looked HARD at the Prout but the silette does need lots of love and attention...... good boat though.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by atoll

this is why having children is so usefull,my son is already hanging out at the beach on the weekends,and going in the water.........little bugger nicked half a bottle of vodka the other day though.......not impressed as it was all i had

At least 10 lashes and 4 hull cleans for that infringement.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by weavis

Im looking at the catalac 8m. It has a choice of outboard or twin diesels. For what I will be using it for... ie not world cruising.. just working within a 150 mile radius...and then only using the engine when into wind..... it might be a better deal. I looked HARD at the Prout but the silette does need lots of love and attention...... good boat though.

i would go with inboard diesels,especially if not using the outboards much.
outboards are fine if you use them regularly,and cycle the fuel,but left standing you will soon have fuel and carburettor issues due to varnish etc