New Pontoon - Sharkhide/ Antifouling/ Polishing/ What?

[bjammin502]

Ordered a brand new 2011 Bennington Tritoon pontoon that should be here in a few weeks and I am trying to decide one major thing:
1. What should I do to protect those brand new pontoons! I feel like I have a one shot at trying to protect that mil finish on those pontoons and want to know what I should do if anything.
Unfortunately I will be leaving the boat in the water all season which I fully realize is less than ideal but a boat lift isn’t in the finances right now and pulling it out every weekend isn’t going to happen. So I have been reading about what people are doing and honestly lots of folks trailer their boats therefore they don’t sit in the water. So for those folks who leave their boats in the water, what do you do to protect those toons? I paid a fortune for this boat and I want to take perfect care of it. I plan to keep this boat for 25+ years!

Sharkhide:I have read a lot about sharkhide which clearly indicates is not an antifouling paint therefore not designed to function below the waterline; although a neighbor says he loves sharkhide and claims the scum pressure washes right off at the end of the season with sharkhide. My local boat shop hates the sharkhide product and will never use it again. They use to be a dealer but after 200+ boats they were having major troubles getting the boats clean. Their method of cleaning boats is to hoist them off the trailer and spray a custom mixed acid solution at low pressure onto the toons. The acid does appear to eat off the scum but also eats off the sharkhide but only in spots leaving the toons splotchy. This company claims they tried everything they could to get the remaining sharkhide off but still can’t get it off. I have talked with the owner of sharkhide (Clint) a few times and he says all you need to do to get sharkhide off is to wipe lacquer on. My conversations with Clint sure makes me feel good about the product as does my neighbors testimonial but I have this local boat shop telling me that if I use it I will be sorry because I won’t be able to acid clean my toons. Note: I worry about what acid would be doing to the aluminum over time anyway, so is that really the best solution?
I have been around pontoons my entire life and in the past I haven’t had a nice enough boat that I tried to keep the toons shining; the dull oxidized finish was ok, but its not for this new boat. My old boats simply received a pressure washed cleaning and maybe a diluted solution of muriatic acid in those stubborn spots (not my method but a family member as this was a shared family boat).

Antifouling Paint:So the alternate method might be antifouling paint below the waterline but folks say this will slow the boat down significantly. I did stumble on a product that I know nothing about that claims they have antifouling paint that will not slow your boat down, please see http://www.auroramarine.com/aurora/cata ... index.html . So, has anyone had any experience with this product and does anyone put this on pontoons?

Polishing:
Of course there is always the option of doing nothing and simply polishing every year but that seems like a lot of work. Now one thing I noticed about some of the polishing videos that I have seen is the finished product (pontoons or semi-truck fuel tanks) seem to look better after polishing than they did brand new. This has me thinking that I could take my brand new toons and polish them even better than the factory, is this crazy? Also, wondering if the toons were polished to such a slick surface maybe the algae and scum would have a more difficult time bounding to the surface, is this crazy? If polishing is a good idea, what are folks using?
Sorry for rambling. I look forward to getting some direction.

Thank you

[lakerunner696]

Your dealer is a numbnut, stupid ass, hole dumbass idiot. Trust Clint as he won't steer you wrong. Sharkhide won't help much below the water line but your logs will keep new look above. Personally I wouldn't let that dealer touch my boat.

Since you paid a fortune I would invest a bit more for a lift.

[jimrs]

I will agree with L.R. on this one. You forgot to mention

1. what body of water
2. where do you live
3. is there a place for a boat lift?
4. Are you renting slip
5. add all the info you can for a reasonable reply.

[HandymanHerb]

I know your suppose the remove the sharkhide with lacquer thinner before you do any buffing, if I remember right, but you can keep it on a trailer and don't have to worry about it.

[bjammin502]

Well I tried posting a reply but didn't seem to show up so trying again.

What body of water = Nolin Lake
Live = Kentucky
Place for a boat lift = Yes at my personal boat dock
Own my own private boat dock

I plan to buy a lift in the future but cashed in all of my chips on the boat; wife thing.....if you know what I mean . Totally agree a boat lift is the way to go but they are expensive.

All seem to agree that sharkhide is good product but doesn't work below the waterline, so what are folks doing below the waterline? Do you even bother installing sharkhide below the waterline?

thanks

[lakerunner696]

I would do the whole log as it won't hurt.

[LSVLance]

I agree, you just spent a fortune for your new boat and you can't afford a lift for your slip?

I figure the three grand I spent for my brand new lift was cheap insurance to make sure my bargain priced boat stayed nice for a good long time.

[my99svt]

Your dealer is a numbnut, stupid ass, hole dumbass idiot. Trust Clint as he won't steer you wrong. Sharkhide won't help much below the water line but your logs will keep new look above. Personally I wouldn't let that dealer touch my boat.

Since you paid a fortune I would invest a bit more for a lift.

I'm getting ready to keep my JC at a slip by you Loyd. Can't afford a slip with a lift but this will be much cheaper than towing from Broken Arrow every weekend. Would you mind keeping her cleaned up for me? I'll bring the trailer over so you can polish her up once a month! Thanks!

[bjammin502]

where did you get a lift for $3k, in my area lifts are $6-7k....I have stumbled on one for $4500. Also, the lifts have to comply with the Army Corps of Engineers which some do not. I did find a used one for $2k but it doesn't meet Corps criteria and by the time its modified for a tritoon and moved it will cost another $1k.

That said, I already said I wasn't buying a lift yet and I know that is the easy solution.........any recommendations besides the lift?

thanks

[dockholiday]

Think your next to last sentence is valid about the slick surface not being as prone to collect the crud. Given the substantial investment you made I would polish an sharkhide. Also seems to be less of a chore when you have a brand new boat. Having said that make no mistake it more than an afternoons work. There are a few tips on making it go quicker that have been posted here. Anyway congrats on your new purchase and good luck

doc

[dockholiday]

where did you get a lift for $3k, in my area lifts are $6-7k....I have stumbled on one for $4500. Also, the lifts have to comply with the Army Corps of Engineers which some do not. I did find a used one for $2k but it doesn't meet Corps criteria and by the time its modified for a tritoon and moved it will cost another $1k.

That said, I already said I wasn't buying a lift yet and I know that is the easy solution.........any recommendations besides the lift?

thanks

You could check into the sea legs although they probably cost what a lift would
doc

[cbavier]

Start looking for a used lift. Sharkhyde it regardless of if you get a lift or not. Any protection is better than no protection. Bottom paint is really meant for boats kept in salt water not fresh water.

[Ron Burgundy]

I keep my boat in a salt water slip so it is bottom painted with anti-fouling (actually Rhino Liner now), but if I understand correctly you are in a fresh water lake with possible plans for a lift in the future. If I were you I wouldn't use anti-fouling. Your fried is correct. Any slim/growth will come off with a good power wash, or you can hire a diver to clean your toons underwater. Plus if you do get a lift in the future you will be stuck with anti-fouling paint on your logs. Most people love sharkhide, and aluminium loves to be protected. It isn't really designed for below the waterline, but it is better than nothing.

[lakerunner696]

Your dealer is a numbnut, stupid ass, hole dumbass idiot. Trust Clint as he won't steer you wrong. Sharkhide won't help much below the water line but your logs will keep new look above. Personally I wouldn't let that dealer touch my boat.

Since you paid a fortune I would invest a bit more for a lift.

I'm getting ready to keep my JC at a slip by you Loyd. Can't afford a slip with a lift but this will be much cheaper than towing from Broken Arrow every weekend. Would you mind keeping her cleaned up for me? I'll bring the trailer over so you can polish her up once a month! Thanks!

Hey Tim wasn't it you that had the Jet ski trailer mess up? And that's funny about cleaning, but sure I can do that. Leave me a set of keys and always have a full tank because I am sure I will have to go to Pettit Bay to load.

Lake should be full today and we got about 5" of rain last night

[my99svt]

Hey Tim wasn't it you that had the Jet ski trailer mess up? And that's funny about cleaning, but sure I can do that. Leave me a set of keys and always have a full tank because I am sure I will have to go to Pettit Bay to load.

Lake should be full today and we got about 5" of rain last night

Well, it wasn't me but a good friend of mine. I do appreciate you letting us keep it there.
Unfortunately he passed away a few months ago. He was a good guy but to much of a drinker and his body shut down. We will miss him!

I'll have to remember where that second set of keys is. I'll get them to you this fall!
In the mean time, just a little polish on the toons and 303 on the vinyl. Thanks buddy!