Atlanta Sail and
Power Squadron
By: Greg Clark
Water restrictions and boat
maintenance
The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the governor of Georgia will
continue to disagree and battle over the water control for our lake.
In the meantime, boaters have to deal with maintaining their boats
within the limits of the law. Ignoring a boat, allowing mold dirt
and grime to accumulate, can quickly depreciate the value. A dirty
boat bottom increases drag slowing the boat and adding to your fuel
use and costs. With statewide water restrictions in effect, boat
washing and maintenance may seem out of the question. There are
steps that you can take and still play by the rules.
Many boats are lake bound due to their size. These
larger cruisers, sailboats, and houseboats require a lot of water to
wash. Using city water is not permitted. Filling your water tanks
with dockside water and using onboard pumps and wash down systems is
not a clever way around the rules. You are permitted at this time to
use pumps that pull from the lake and then feed back to the lake.
Several marinas are now providing portable pumps for their tenants
to borrow. You must use biodegradable soaps. Maintaining a clean,
working bilge isn’t just good boating practice, it’s the law.
Federal regulations require that boat owners keep their vessel’s
bilge reasonably clean and in working condition. Washing out the
bilge into the lake is not permitted under any circumstances. If you
do need to wash your bilge, you must deactivate any automated bilge
pumps first to avoid accidentally pumping oily water into the lake.
Oil left in the bilge will eventually be pumped into the lake if oil
absorbent marine products do not trap it. Oil left in contact with
the bilge decking can penetrate the fiberglass and increase
blistering on the bottom of the boat.
Commercial detail and boat washing services are
permitted to operate at this time. The boat owner is still
responsible if the commercial service spills oil or contaminants
into the lake. Washing from a bucket is also allowed in some
counties, but it is not practical for most large boats. Everyone is
encouraged to reduce the frequency needed to wash boats. This can be
accomplished using the proper boat polish and waxes. Waxes popular
for cars are destructive to boats. While they may appear at first to
create a beautiful shine on the surface, the harsh chemicals become
trapped under the wax and accelerate the breakdown of gel-coat and
fiberglass. This will increase chalking over time. Wax finishes last
less than half the time of any good marine polish on fiberglass
boats. Summer heat, ultraviolet light and harsh water wear down wax
much faster than polished surfaces. Saltwater conditions are even
more abrasive. The surface of fiberglass and gel-coat is porous.
Polishes will fill these small voids that normally trap dirt making
the surface less subject to staining and sun damage. A good polished
surface can often be rinsed quickly with water and require much less
cleaning. Wax products are more suited for metal constructed
houseboats and other painted metal boats that are similar to car
finishes. There is a significant difference between car wax and
marine wax products. Small boat owners have the option to use
commercial car wash facilities, but they should be encouraged to
conserve and not to wash the boat with every use. Bottom paints are
effective in maintaining a clean boat, and protecting the fiberglass
from blisters.
Gregory D. Clark handles
public relations for the Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron.
The Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron is
Atlanta’s boating club for everyone. You do not have to own a boat
or have experience to join. Safe boating is fun boating. Call today
and come visit the next meeting. Help make Lanier a safer place for
everyone. Telephone: 404-262-7288/Email:
usps-atlanta@comcast.net
or on the local website
www.usps-atlanta.org/.