Algae prevention?

[belercous]

I'm looking to prevent algae (freshwater) from forming on our pontoons for next year. What REALLY works? I don't trust painted aluminum.

[captainjack]

A lift!

[robster]

I was told algae only grows when the water temp is above 70 degrees ,so at least during the cold months the algae growth is less. Scraping the toons with a plastic paint scraper in shallow water is what we do in the summer. Algae sucks!!!

[wrd1972]

A lift!

This.

[badmoonrising]

I'm looking to prevent algae (freshwater) from forming on our pontoons for next year. What REALLY works? I don't trust painted aluminum.

Sorry but if a lift isn't an option, anti-fouling is the only way to go. Painted aluminum will outlast bare aluminum anyway...as long as it's done correctly with the right paint.

[dockholiday]

Pretty much the above two answers. Algae does have a harder time attaching to a slick surface so polished would be less vulnerable and easier to clean.........but it is a lot of work, especially the first time
doc

[playcat]

Yup, just two options;
1 - antifouling paint
2 - don't store it in the water

[robster]

our boat sits in the water in a wet slip year round , every spring we will clean the toons with JV's best and a pressure washer,then I scrape the toons every 3 weeks during the summer with a plastic paint scraper. My understanding is that anti-fouling paint is expensive and will chip off if you like to beach your boat. Also doesn't algae still grow on anti-fouling paint in fresh water,anti-fouling is best used in salt water or water where barnacles like to attach?

[captainjack]

In my opinion the lift is the only way to go. U will either spend more in chemicals an time in time u could have had a lift. Unless u like work an a slower boat due to growth. How ever I understand when I bought mine the marina wouldn't let me bring my own in an where trying to rape me 10 k an if I left that marina I couldn't take it with me an the pro rate bs deal was in 5 years I got like 500 for it. They had a racket on our river at that point! But due to the flood this summer I turning in my badge in as a river rat. An moving to boat to a lake next season which ever marina opens a spot up first.

[badmoonrising]

My understanding is that anti-fouling paint is expensive and will chip off if you like to beach your boat. Also doesn't algae still grow on anti-fouling paint in fresh water,anti-fouling is best used in salt water or water where barnacles like to attach?

Yeah it's expensive, about $185 a gallon but it's pretty durable if you use an etching primer first. Yes it will rub off if you beach.

A minute amount of growth gets on the paint but wipes off with a brush, without paint it gets pretty thick very fast.

Antifouling paints are blended for both fresh and saltwater. Anytime growth is an issue, it's recommended. It's not just to prevent barnacles, but all marine growth. Some lakes it's not a problem but some are worse than any saltwater.

[GregF]

The part that scrubs off on the beach will also be the place where the sand scrubs off the marine fouling so it is probably a wash.
I don't have anti fouling paint but I do have a polyurethane paint on my logs and I beach at least once a week, 12 months a year for the last 20 years I am on my second paint job about 8 years ago and I only have the tips of the nose cone, right at the keel that has the paint worn through.

[MH Hawker]

This will be a next year project but I am planning on polishing mine and coating with Shark Hide protectent altho polyurethane also sounds good, But dose the algae damage the logs other than look nasty

[GregF]

I doubt garden variety fresh water moss and that other green stuff will do anything but stain the metal. There are salt water things that actually eat the aluminum and if you have electrolysis going on (fresh or salt) your boat usually becomes the sacrificial element.

[MH Hawker]

Sort of what I thought but it never hurts to ask, and I new to owning a toon , but not to boats, I apricate it

[belercous]

I was afraid those were my only 2 options. I guess I'll get a long handled scrub brush for the boat next year.
Thanks.