Back Water Blues

[solanderi]

I recently moved my 1985 45C from a marina into a Miami canal and was wondering if the nasty, silted, tannic brown water could cause any ill effects to my raw water system. Silt and sediment are the main concerns as the canal is probably only 6 to 8 ft deep. Thanks for any help,

Greg

 

[garyd]

No

 

[Bob Bradley]

It will, however, leave a nice brown waterline for you to clean off regularly (or get used to).

 

[Canuck Dennis]

On/Off works great on that stain.

 

[Pete]

I do not have any scientific facts on tannic acid and fiberglass boats. What I can offer is a personal experience. Bought our boat in 2001. At survey time there were maybe a dozen blisters on the bottom. Not bad for a 25 year old south eastern, full time floater. Moved the boat from the Chesapeake Bay to a brackish water canal in NC, with tannic acid from the cypress trees in the area. 4 years later I had more blisters than I even tried to count. Did a bottom job, used Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff Epoxy Barrier Coat, and so far all is well. Did the hot (90 degree plus in summer), brackish, tannic acid water, cause the blister explosion. Can not prove it. But the same water dissolved the asbestos/cement canal bulkhead panels, resulting in a complete replacement of the communities bulkheads in less than 30 years.

Pete