Why?
Why did I write yesterday’s post, or more importantly, why did I even question the status quo of annual haul outs with applications of expensive anti-foul paint? Because I should, and in my opinion, so should you. And not only in this situation, but in general. Asking why is important!
I spent a large portion of my life running a martial arts gym where we routinely called BS to things that were being taught in other schools. Why? Because they were pure fantasy and didn’t work.
Sadly, many people just follow the crowd like sheep without ever questioning things. In this particular case, I wasn’t asking why just to be a contrarian, or because I was cheap and didn’t want to spend the money for a haul-out, although both of those are true, especially the latter. I really just like to know why I should do something before I spend my time and money. That kind of curiosity is important and the info gained by asking the question is valuable, regardless of the final decision made.
Thanks to all those who contributed by posting their thoughts on the subject! And no, we have not yet made a final decision.
Keep questioning! The boating community is so incredibly dogmatic. It drives me nuts sometimes. BTW, on this particular issue, I’m personally hoping you go for the no paint. I’m building a similarly sized cat and for many reasons from ecological to being a cheapskate would like to try this out. Listening to all the passionate arguments against it, I feel like the second my new toxic-leeching-less hulls touch the water they’ll be practically devoured by sea life. It seems to me that having a shallow draft cat, one could occasionally come close to shore and give the hull a wipe down. I am of course curious about the reality…which hopefully after not too many more building months will find out for myself!
I think you’ll find that scrubbing a shallow draft cat in warm water is not that big a deal, if you keep on top of it.
R & M, On the anti-fouling, if the paint has not worn off (leaving lighter patches, I wouldn’t bother and just scrub until that happens.
Under the Micron CSC are at least 2 (maybe 3) layers of Petit Trinidad which is excellent for salt water and only got 5 months of use each year in fresh water so there should be a very good base under the Micron. We only used the Micron because Petit Trinidad was “outlawed” in Canada because of its very high copper content. We built up the anti fouling in anticipation of leaving for warmer climes.
Great to see ZTC where she belongs in turquoise waters.
Love the Blog, keeps us in touch, good info when we set off SOON! Hope to see you along the way
Best J & D
Hey guys, great to hear from you! Thanks for the additional info. There are a couple of bare spots but 98% of the boat still has paint on it.
When is SOON??? Keep in touch.
Soon = fall 2012
AWESOME! South or to the Med?
Down south first. maybe see you !
In May our son and I brought a 40′ cat back from Nassau to NY
but didn’t make it to N.Y. got hit by lightning twice in 24 hrs, lost everything electronic, blew the cables right off the batteries etc at 3.00 a.m. Blowing 42 Knots and 15 to 20′ seas, handkerchief of a jib furled out and still surfing at 14 knots.
Had to hand steer for 2 1/2 days and managed to get to Norfolk.
Thank goodness for my laptop and GPS and back up Sea Clair II programme able to get a fix and plot the old fashioned way.
But all survived and so did the boat but a hell of a trip.
Best J & D
I remember you mentioning that story. Glad I wasn’t with you!
Hope to see you soon! Our friends on a Lagoon 440 are waiting for weather in Virginia right now. We hope to see them in a couple of months too.
Hi- I agree. It’s easy to get complacent and forget to ask the “why” of things. Keep asking. I ask a lot of why’s myself and you’re right…this seems to bother some. People like sticking with the status quo…..it seems “safe” for some reason.
I don’t own a boat (but have it on the list of probable future possibilities)… and I’m learning from your blog. It’s nice to hear people tell of their experiences….experience telling can be a wealth of good info.
Thanks Sandra.
“Why” is good. Keep it up.
For me, “why” isthat I do not sail every day or for weeks at a time. Already, the water is down to 50F, a bit cool for a plesant swim. If I were cruising and my boat were as easy to scrub as the PDQ I would be looking for answers.
I’ve asked Practical Sailor to do a bottom paint test that included scrubbing, to see which paints hold up best. Ask!
I would love to read that article, especially if it was unbiased!
I love this, I love this, I love this! Preach it brother!
Will do Sista!
The disadvantaage of a cat is that it takes more paint. The advantage is that you can beach on a shallow bar at high tide, scrub or paint at low tide, and float off on the next high tide. I vote for scrubbing. Has to be done anyway, and, if one is diligent, it will keep off the worst of the growth. Less scrubbing is needed after anti-fouling, but you guys are young and strong, and can scrub hard!1 LOL!! 🙂
Unfortunately around here there is not enough of a tidal swing to totally dry out the boat. They did beach a monohull right in front of us to scrub the bottom though. They just pulled it off yesterday afternoon at high-spring tide.