Fouling and Lightening

[Bamby]

Ron you need to proceed with caution on this issue you're having. Went back and looked at your profile and observed when you purchased your pontoon on Sept/10. Seeing you haven't had it too long I've got to wonder if maybe you've been snookered. Car dealers for instance are known to throw a quick coat of paint on a vehicle to cover up faults they'd rather not have you see and observe before handing them your cold hard cash. One also has to wonder if maybe someone didn't throw a quick coat of whatever they had on hand over your pontoons to cover issues on them they'd rather a perspective buyer not see before purchase also. If it were mine I'd strip it all down or off to see what I actually have and then contemplate the best way to fix or address it.

[Ron Burgundy]

I guess that is always a possibility. When I bought it the pontoons looked very smooth and pit free. I purchased it from an individual who appeared honest and knowledgable. He let me take it for a sea trial and all seemed well. That being said I am still going to take it to the marina as soon as the weather allows (we have tornado warnings until 8:00pm tonight) get it on a lift, power wash, scrape off barnacles, get a very close look at it alongside an expert, and proceed from there. If need be I will strip off all the paint and redo it correctly.

[badmoonrising]

Moon says I am dumb as a stump.

You really want to start this up again only to claim a few days later I'm picking on you ?

[badmoonrising]

If it were mine I'd strip it all down or off to see what I actually have and then contemplate the best way to fix or address it.

Yeah that's the point I was trying to make, thanks. Gregf will disagree with you though, until the boat's sitting on the bottom and then he'll blame the stainless

[Ron Burgundy]

Yes. If Trilux 33 were applied without primer you'll get green corrosion and pitting, although (of course) it'll be less severe then if standard antifouling was used. 3 coats of primer is usually recommended (as per the Interlux rep I spoke too).

I have 3 coats of primer on mine. I am repainting either tomorrow or Thurs (waiting in UPS to deliver my paint)..I'll probably do 3-4 coats of Trilux 33. After 4 years, the primer is still as thick as the first year it was applied (that's why I asked if you could see the primer)...the paint will slough off leaving the primer behind, it's pretty obvious if it had primer on it or not.

I looked at my pontoons yesterday before we got nailed by this storm system. We had a tornado pass about 10 miles north of us last night. One report said there were over 1700 lightening bolts from the storm cell. Anyway, I am almost 100% certain that the 'toons were painted without using primer. When I scrapped of a few barnacles it took the antifouling paint with it and bare alumnium was underneath. The only good news is that I am pretty sure I caught it soon enough there isn't severe pitting. Maybe the idiot that painted at least used Trilux 33 or equivelant.

BMR, if you get a chance to take some pics of you painting you toons that would be very educational for me. From what I hear it needs to be done about every 18 months...probably once a year in my case. How do you paint the part of the toon that is resting on the trailer boards? Do you jack it up?

I know giving bad news sucks, but I appreciate it.

Don't beat up Gregf too bad. He was right about one thing. My grass turned green last month and there wasn't copper anywhere near it.



sorry Greg, I can't pass up an oportunity for Comedy...nothing personal

[badmoonrising]

What I do to paint is put several 2x4s under the deck (bow and stern) and use a hydraulic jack in the stern and a screw jack up front. You only have to jack it up far enough to clean and enough to get the paint roller under there. The PC is heavy as hell (5500 lbs dry) and its pretty easy. Should be easier for you.

I jack one side, clean and paint (3 coats) the log and engine pod, etc. Then let it dry over night, lower it and do the other log.

Up here, I repaint every 3-4 years and touch up every year. Saltwater and your year 'round season, at least every 1 1/2 years.

[badmoonrising]

I bought the paint on eBay..paid for one gallon and they shipped 2

[Ron Burgundy]

Thanks for the tips and pics. With my current luck I would pay for two gallons and only get one.

[GregF]

Ron, how did you do in the storm? It looks like the worst of it was East of you.

The thing looks like it is going to fall apart before it gets here. It stalled at the Lee County line. It's a good thing because we are having a range day up at Cecil Webb tomorrow and I want to burn some powder.

[Ron Burgundy]

It was intense, but the boat and house came out unscathed. We had about 6 tornados in the Tampa Bay area...one about 10 miles north of me. The lightening was like a strobe light and the with gusted to 70mph in some places. My back yard flooded. Crazy stuff, but it's passed now and we are supposed to be sunny and mid 70's tomorrow.

[GregF]

It is still spitting here but most of it broke up before it got here.
We had a little lightning but not even the average summer banger.

[Ron Burgundy]

I just took my boat to the marina...and boy am I screwed. My pontoons look like a block of swiss cheese. The guy said I should just take it out in the Gulf as far as I can go and sink the tin can.

If I make it look like an accident maybe I can get some insurance money.

Anyone have a kayak for sale??

[Ron Burgundy]

April Fools...it's all good



Me on the way to the boat doctor...2-3 foot swell and 15 knots in the Gulf of Mexico






Thursday evening after the storms passed. Wind dropped to nothing and water turned to glass. You can see the dark skies in the distance.


Friday (April Fool's Day) Out in the Gulf of Mexico heading from New Port Richey to the marina in Port Richey.


Zoom Zoom


Fishing house on stilts in Port Richey


I'll take one of each please!


Lightening Rod


My marina...


My pontoon in the boat doctor waiting room.


Let's take a look see...


Prognosis....probably only one coat of primer and paint


Prescription....scrape of the growth and the paint and the primer....two thick layers of primer and two coats of Trilux 33


Oh yeah...I've got crabs


Uploaded with ImageShack.us



....stay tuned for more photos next week of the freshly bottom painted pontoons.

[badmoonrising]

Ron, I assume they will be sand or soda blasting the old paint off ? You'll want to make sure none of it remains...

Finally done mine, 3 fresh coats of Trilux 33.

[Ron Burgundy]

Yep, they are taking it down to bare aluminium. I may try to do it myself next time.