Like almost everything, including people, boats stay in good working order when they get used frequently, and they fall into disrepair when they don’t. Metal parts corrode, hoses and V-belts get dry and brittle, fluids leak and wiring mysteriously breaks, usually in a place that’s very hard to reach. Nobody knows how or why that happens, but it does. Below the waterline, grass, slime and barnacles collect on the underwater gear, reducing speed and efficiency and adding to fuel burn when you finally leave the slip.
At haul-out, the yard charges big bucks to scrape off these aquatic squatters. On the other hand, problems tend to go away, or at least decrease, if you use your boat often. So, what are you waiting for? Put down this magazine, get out of the recliner and head for the marina.
THE ANTIFOULERS
Modern multi-season antifouling paints are good at repelling grass, barnacles and other invaders even when the boat’s left sitting idle, but they’re not miracle workers. Leave
