Moorage Maintenance Q & A

[Nelly]

Here's one from the "EMAIL FILE":

Q: How long do you feel comfortable leaving the boat in salt water without bottom paint or pulling it out for a rinse?

A: It really depends on what you're concerned about.
The two major issues are corrosion and marine growth and both of these issues are exacerbated by salinity and temperatures.
For example, the Port of Everett is in the mouth of the Snohomish River and as such, enjoys brackish water and reduced temperatures compared to many areas of Puget Sound. At the other end of the scale is Edmonds which is a shallower marina with a direct 180-degree western exposure and no fresh water influx.
Both marine growth and corrosion thrive in Edmonds and one month is a good place to start to haul out, pressure wash and observe your hull's condition paying particular attention to the condition of your zincs.
I would recommend changing your zincs annually on alloy hulls and certainly checking zincs on the outboard or drive on fiberglass hulls every year is a good practice too.