Zebra Muscles ?

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Last year when I hauled my boat out at the end of the season. There were zebra muscles on my outdrive, trim tabs, swimdeck brackets. There wasn't any on my hull. I think why they weren't attached to the hull is because of the anitfoul paint.<br /><br />Is there a paint on something that I can coat my outdrive and other parts to prevent them from attaching themselves? <br /><br />Just trying to get my ducks in a row before the weather warms up. Thanks......SS

 

[fireman57]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

Keep some blue or channel cats by your boat. Here on the Ohio their mouths are literally bloody from eating the damn things.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

The lake I keep my boat at was free of them. Last year is the first year I have noticed them.<br /><br />I think I will pull my exhaust manifolds apart to see if they are in them. I hope not. I did pressure wash with a steamer at the end of the season. <br /><br />Do these suckers die if they are out of the water, or will they come back to life a cause more havoc?<br /><br />I may have to pull it our every couple of weeks just to wash it down. When are they more active? Late fall, or summer. I understand cold water inhibits or slows their growth.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

Don't worry about the manifolds. I haven't heard of any clogging problems. The temps kill them I'm sure.<br /><br />I used a clear spray antifouling paint on my sailboat's kicker with good luck. I just wish I could remember the name on the can.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

Think real hard for me Willy, I don't want to be hauling my boat in and out of the water this season. Jus kiddin, but I have to do something. I'm worried about them on my trim tab cylinders. I know they can mess up the seals on them big time. Thanks

 

[fireman57]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

They die out of water but their shells make a mess. The town water intakes get clogged each year by these things. I don't think they would get in your engine intake but they are definitely a little more than a nuisance.

 

[keelhauled]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

I've not heard of any I/O's having problems with these buggers clogging them, but I've heard tons of horror stories from outboard owners. Seems the tiny thermostats in the smaller OB's are prone to clogging from zebra mussels. <br /><br />I've heard of a number of owners that have left their stats out since they clog so often. That can't be good...

 

[KaGee]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

SS... West Marine sells a clear anti-fouling paint like mentioned above. <br /><br />Zebra Mussells entered your lake via someone's bilge or cooling water. Same way they got into the Great Lakes. The larvae travel well. <br /><br />On the plus side... they sure have filtered Lake Erie a bunch. But now Walleye are harder to get do to the clearer water.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

SS,steer clear of Dolfinite clear antifoul spray.It does not work at all.What you may find in a store is old stock because they stopped making it right after they started.The only good stuff is off the market.Tempo made one and Clear choice was the other.They have been off the market for being too toxic for at least a few years now.I hope something new is out soon.Charlie

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

Here in the west, we're scared to death that the influx of boaters from "back east" (that's anywhere east of Montana) following the Lewis & Clark trail will bring zebra mussels here. So far we've been lucky, but.....<br /><br />

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

I spent some time searching (yes mods I checked with the mega mall first) and found Trilux in aerosol. It is surpose to be for aluminum outdrives. I ordered some. Hopefully it will do the job. I'll do a update on how well it works when the boat get hauled out at the end of the season. 41 days til launch providing mother nature decides to turn up the thermostat.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

Tri-lux is one of the only antifouling paints left on the market for alum drives.I remember hearing that it was very important to use the trilux primer first.Charlie

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

Thanks Charlie, I ordered it also. I try to do it right the first time since I don't like making the time to do it over.<br /><br />Would something like vasaline on my trim cylinder piston keep them from attaching? I know it would have to be applied every so often, but it would be easier to do that than having to replace one.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

I have always smeared white marine grease all over my bellows and shiftcable boot to keep any barnacles and mussels off with great results.You can try that or you can leave the o/d full down and they wont have anything to attach to.Charlie

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Zebra Muscles ?

They will be every where trailered boats go in and out. They explode in new waters then eat them selves into a big CRASH. A couple here and there . Better than a new sewage plant at no cost.----------------------They cleaned up the St. Lawrence River completly. Less fish but very blue water instead of green.