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Initially Posted - 08/07/2002 : 08:52:31

We were in San Francisco in April and, of course, we cruised the docks to check out all the boats. One thing that struck us was how dirty most of the boats were. It was very strange for us since we don't see many really dirty boats in our area (NE) We were curious what it was that was causing the boats to be so dirty. The decks and awnings didn't look like anything we see in our area. Looked like you'd need to scrub the boat before you went sailing. What is it that causes this problem?

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2002 : 19:15:08

Very interesting that nobody has replied to this yet. We live 100 miles east of the Bay Area so our weather conditions are a little different. Here are some possible reasons.

1) it doesn't rain from about April to October so Mother Nature isn't helping keep our boats clean.
2) San Francisco is a large city with all the pollution that comes with it. Auto and bus exhaust, etc.
3) it is damp and windy so anything that does get on the boat sticks.
4) lazy or absentee boat owners. They are at every marina across the country.
5) on our resent trip to Catalina Island I gained new respect for those of you with boats in salt water. Everything just seems to get dirty faster then on a fresh water lake.

I'm not making excuses for the boats you saw. I hope the sight of less then clean boats didn't ruin you trip.

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2002 : 21:04:22

kathleen, where in NE are you? we are in boston.

COLDDUCKS
FANTASY #409 C250WK

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Response Posted - 08/09/2002 : 12:39:23

We were just curious because we mostly only deal with an occaisional splat of guano and stuff that might get tracked aboard. Since the condition in SF seemed to be so pervasive we didn't think that it was neglect generally but it did look like a heck of a hassle and we were just wondering what causes it. We did notice quite a few boats in need of a haulout but we figured that people with year round sailing can tend to procrastinate in this area. Where we live, Barnegat, NJ, it is standard to haul out every winter so you naturally paint the bottom every spring and spiff up your boat before relaunching. There's a well defined maintenance season and sailing season (4/1 - 11/1. That's the contract peroiod after which all boats have to be out of the water. They used to let us stay in because they "bubble" anyway but they had too many boats sink. Actually, every year a cetain number of owners return to find their hauled boats flooded due to some deck leak. A guy who was hauled near us had water almost at the top of his bunks. What a mess! But he hadn't checked the boat all winter so... The marina owners request that all boats be checked once a month by the owners but most people don't bother because they're off skiing or chartering somewhere. We live down the street so it's no problem for us to check up besides I miss the boat in the winter and enjoy the process of checking up on her. My husband laughs at my attachment!

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2002 : 14:44:36

Kathleen - I know just how you feel! Even tho' we can't sail on Canyon Lake I still amble up there every Saturday - even if it's just to sit in the cockpit with a glass of wine...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> I'm also getting all those piddly little maintenance jobs done so it's not quite a total waste!
Derek - who hasn't sailed in 8 weeks and now knows how you northern sailors feel for 1/2 the year!

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2002 : 17:39:59

We have the same problem in Los Angeles with lots of pollution and dust (from local costruction projects continually being done around LA Harbor). If you clean your boat one day and come back the next, there's already a little dust on it (borderline whether you have to clean it). The second day, there's significant dust on it, definitely requiring a good spray-down before going out. The third day...you get the picture.

Also, dew covers the boat almost every morning and combines with the dirt/pollution to create a tougher-to-spray-off film. Over time, only scrubbing with soap and elbow grease cleans it. Over more time, something stronger than boat soap is required to get it off.

I try to stay on top of it so I only have to use the hose. Thats not easy. Springtime (you said you were in S.F. in April) creates other difficulties. A mold/mildew grows on the hull that time of year, especially on the North side (facing away from the sun). Two weeks away is all it takes to let this tough-to-clean stuff get a good foothold.

Since I bought my boat, I dropped my gym membership because scrubbing my boat keeps me in way better shape than going to the gym could.

I think Kathleen is right in that it becomes easier to procrastinate pulling the boat when you don't have to do so each winter. I try to repaint the bottom every other year, usually around Thanksgiving or Christmas weekend. And when you do pull it, you have to work quickly because at $50+ per day, those yard storage fees can add up fast.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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Dennis Pierce
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2002 : 08:35:04

With three major marina complexes (Harbor Island, Shelter Island & Mission Bay) under or near Lindberg Field and Coronado Navy Base) the residue from jet exhaust is a constant problem. Quite frankly, the eco-friendly soaps just don't get the job done.

Dennis Pierce
Gypsy Witch #1719

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2002 : 13:30:09

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
besides I miss the boat in the winter and enjoy the process of checking up on her. My husband laughs at my attachment!
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
We had a x-mas party at our place one year and all of the invitees were sailors. We happen to store the boat at home that winter covered with a tarp down to the waterline. As the driveway had some icy spots I escorted many of our guests from their cars to the house. I got a real kick out all the people that affectionately patted OJ's hull with some warm words thrown in as they walked by.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2002 : 18:47:59

Kathleen: We're just downwind of NYC and North Jersey... The price we pay is black soot that gradually covers the boat. Rain seems to help a little, but if you board with wet shoes, that illusion is demolished. I won't blame you folks down in Barnegat--it's Con Ed, NYC traffic, and the Jersey refineries that are doing it to us.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2002 : 21:07:34

As a SF bay sailor, I have to agree with all of the points already made. The fog is damp, and there is always a lot of wind blowing the dust around. Plus a ton of birds, seagulls mostly.

But you are right, there are a lot of owners who must have either been frightened off by some of our challenging conditions, or have other hobbies that keep them away from their boats. I notice that many (most?) of the boats don't get out very often; it's a shame really.

My excuse? I'd rather be sailing than scrubbing. There is nothing like a screaming reach to clean the bottom and a good bow spray to rinse the top! Also, a thin layer of crud and a nasty looking sail cover help keep away the burglars.

Cheers -

Phredde
Catalina 25
San Francisco

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