Lost 8 then 5 MPH at the top end

[Presentation]

We can get to 48 MPH any day.

On a good day, light fuel, water, load, empty holding tank, with the wind, current, downhill (you get the picture) we can occasionally top 50 MPH.

Our season is off to a slow start.

Last weekend was only our 2nd time out this year.

Crossing the lake I could hardly reach 40 MPH. The next day at anchor I scrubbed our “not-bottom pained” hull from the water line to about the 1st chine, a bit further closer to the center line at the bow and the trim tabs. It had scum but not long hair.

Coming back against the wind with mild seas I was able to get to just under 44MPH, still well below our normal top end speed.

So I did improve the performance with a hand scrub brush but I could only reach a portion of the wet hull.

My takeaway:
#1) They say a rolling stone gathers no moss. Well, a unused boat in a slip sure does.
#2) A little bottom growth definitely causes a significant reduction in top end speed.

 

[Jim M]

How could you have bottom growth after being in the cold water for only a couple of weeks???????????

 

[Bridog]

Pres, Our boat is bottom painted and sits in a saltwater slip from 4/1-10/31. Our season also starts at 48MPH WOT but ends with about 42MPH. I jump in and clean the bottom as best I can during the season. It's amazing how just a little growth slows her down. Brian

 

[Presentation]

How could you have bottom growth after being in the cold water for only a couple of weeks???????????

April 22 til last weekend was 6 weeks, but I do agree with you.

 

[skolbe]

Just had my props redone and new bottom paint. Wow it felt like they installed turbos on the engines. The fuel burn on plane dropped 5 gallons per hour over the end of last season.

 

[TheLucille]

We can get to 48 MPH any day.

On a good day, light fuel, water, load, empty holding tank, with the wind, current, downhill (you get the picture) we can occasionally top 50 MPH.

Our season is off to a slow start.

Last weekend was only our 2nd time out this year.

Crossing the lake I could hardly reach 40 MPH. The next day at anchor I scrubbed our “not-bottom pained” hull from the water line to about the 1st chine, a bit further closer to the center line at the bow and the trim tabs. It had scum but not long hair.

Coming back against the wind with mild seas I was able to get to just under 44MPH, still well below our normal top end speed.

So I did improve the performance with a hand scrub brush but I could only reach a portion of the wet hull.

My takeaway:
#1) They say a rolling stone gathers no moss. Well, a unused boat in a slip sure does.
#2) A little bottom growth definitely causes a significant reduction in top end speed.

I think Winnebago was worse last year than the year before in terms of growth. I definitely had more.

Have you considered painting? There are some great bottom paints; Pettit Vivid is a "hard" paint that feels/looks like regular Awlgrip/Imron/etc. (ie, attractive) but is a mild ablative.

 

[JimT]

I think Winnebago was worse last year than the year before in terms of growth. I definitely had more.

Have you considered painting? There are some great bottom paints; Pettit Vivid is a "hard" paint that feels/looks like regular Awlgrip/Imron/etc. (ie, attractive) but is a mild ablative.

I painted with Vivid this spring. Easily picked up 6-7 miles per hour over the old ablative. I have started to feel a bit less acceleration out of the hole the past few weeks. I think this may be due more to the 95 degree heat and high humidity than to bottom growth.