G'Day, After paddling I've been rinsing kayaks first with sea water to get rid of sand/mud then with fresh water (using a watering can, which saves water) to get rid of salt. It makes sense to rinse metal parts with fresh water to avoid corrosion but is there any reason to rinse fibreglass/gelcoat to remove salt? We're on a water saving push at the moment over here. All the best, PeterO (Australia) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Heck, if you really want to save H2O why wash it at all?? The metal is stainless, (correct?) and will only corrode when submerged for long periods of time. Soon as it is dry the corrosion potential is nill. If you keep a layer of wax on the glass, same thing. Big f/g boats go cruising for years without a bath. Sponge her out, let it air dry and call it good. I know outfitters in salty environments that never wash their rental fleet. steve Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe N 45º 39' 47" 250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr. W 122º 36' 16" Portland, OR 97217 Web: www.aldercreek.com Phone: 503.285.0464 Email: aldercreek_at_qwest.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe" <aldercreek_at_qwest.net> > Heck, if you really want to save H2O why wash it at all?? The metal is > stainless, (correct?) and will only corrode when submerged for long periods > of time. Soon as it is dry the corrosion potential is nill. Well, I'd have to disagree with this. I don't do much saltwater paddling (or sailing in the old days), but I've seen lots of marine quality stainless corrode with little submersion. My knife is one example. Take a good look at sailboat deck fittings and such and you'll see a thin layer of rust in many spots. Also, the salt is hydrophilic, so it doesn't really dry that quickly. > outfitters in salty environments that never wash their rental fleet. If you're hauling the kayak home on the cartop, the salt water might affect the car. Unfortunately, Peter, since I don't deal with the problem frequently, I can't help you. When I was kayaking in Nova Scotia a couple of months ago, I didn't clean the kayak till I returned home and the main objective there was to prevent ocean marine organisms from being transported by my kayak into the Great Lakes. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe" <aldercreek_at_qwest.net> > Heck, if you really want to save H2O why wash it at all?? The metal is > stainless, (correct?) and will only corrode when submerged for long periods > of time. Soon as it is dry the corrosion potential is nill. If you keep a > layer of wax on the glass, same thing. Big f/g boats go cruising for years > without a bath. I always see fiberglass kayak owners washing their boats every chance they get, i.e. when a hose is handy. And I thought it was overkill. Your comments confirm this. Can't see what harm saltwater can do. Same goes for folding kayaks. I seldomly wash mine even after saltwater exposure. If I am in situation where there is a hose and I haven't done it in a long time and in a position to let it dry before packing away, then I will. ralph diaz-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> I always see fiberglass kayak owners washing their boats every chance they > get, i.e. when a hose is handy. And I thought it was overkill. Your > comments confirm this. Can't see what harm saltwater can do. I rinse off my boat every time I take it out of the water. I do this not for the benefit of the boat, but to protect my car! I ruined my last car with the accumulated salt dripping from my boat. It just ate through the paint and metal and rusted up everything. Once the rust starts, it's pretty near impossible to stop it. I couldn't care less about the boat being salty or dirty. If your boat has a rudder then an occasional rinse will help keep the rudder working smoothly, and help keep the salt and sand from jamming your rudder cables and sliding footpegs. But besides that I have never understood these anal types who wash and wax their boats after every outing. I take my boat out, beat it up some, and then put it back away until the next time. So much for maintenance :-) Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steve wrote: - >Heck, if you really want to save H2O why wash it >at all?? The metal is stainless, (correct?) and >will only corrode when submerged for long periods Ralph wrote: - >Can't see what harm saltwater can do. Same goes >for folding kayaks. Michael Daly wrote: - >look at sailboat deck fittings and such and you'll >see a thin layer of rust in many spots. Also, the >salt is hydrophilic, so it doesn't really dry that quickly Scott wrote: - >I ruined my last car with the accumulated salt dripping >from my boat. G'Day and thanks for all the feedback, Normally I store my boat in a skiff club down by the beach and don't need a car to carry the boat. When I use a car it usually means theres no chance to rinse the kayak as I'm miles from fresh water. I dry the kayak thoroughly before putting it on the car and seal off the pump outlet so it doesn't drip water. So far so good but its only been a year. Its a relief to hear the consistent advice on not to having to rinse fibre glass with fresh water. But the business of hydrophilicity makes me worry about cleaning salt from metal fittings or from a foldable. Sydney can be humid and then the salt tends to keep fabric damp. On the other hand I never clean my lifejacket and it never gets moldy - though the salt encrustation can be quite dramatic. Does the salt inhibit mold on slightly damp fabric? All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
--- PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au> wrote: > G'Day, > > After paddling I've been rinsing kayaks first with sea water to get rid of > sand/mud then with fresh water (using a watering can, which saves water) to I suggest you do not wash your boat, and instead use the deck as a salt lick on those days you aren't able to make it down to the beach. My stepfather has a 20-yr old fiberglass boat which is never washed, and aside from washing out the spider nests, has never been well cared for. Plus, it's been left outside in the sun for the last few years. The plastic boat he has, (some random Aqua Terra model) is (unfortunately) quite "wavey" on the bottom from being melted in the summer sun and kept upside down, although even it is still in operational condition. ===== Elias Ross / 470 2nd Ave S #313 / Kirkland WA 98033 http://www.maison-otaku.net/~genman __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search new jobs daily now http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Mike writes:>>but I've seen lots of marine quality stainless corrode with little submersion. My knife is one example. Stainless steel comes in quite a variety of grades. I am sure the grade of SS in your knife is quite dirrerent from the grade used in deck hardware. the carbon content (part of where the rust come from) is needed in knife construction to hold an edge. My wife had a rust proof diving knife. The blade was very fat and didn't hold an edge worth beans. Tho it never rusted it was worthless as a knife. steve Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe N 45º 39' 47" 250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr. W 122º 36' 16" Portland, OR 97217 Web: www.aldercreek.com Phone: 503.285.0464 Email: aldercreek_at_qwest.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 03:04 PM 11/4/02 -0800, Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe wrote: >Mike writes:>>but I've seen lots of marine quality stainless >corrode with little submersion. My knife is one example. > >Stainless steel comes in quite a variety of grades. I am sure the grade of >SS in your knife is quite dirrerent from the grade used in deck hardware. >the carbon content (part of where the rust come from) is needed in knife >construction to hold an edge. My wife had a rust proof diving knife. The >blade was very fat and didn't hold an edge worth beans. Tho it never rusted >it was worthless as a knife. But it was pretty and shiny, right? High carbon = sharp, but rusts. High chromium = not so sharp, doesn't rust. Does some manufacturer combine the two optimally? Steve Cramer Athens, GA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Ralph, I'm one of those glass boat owners who always sets up a couple of small folding stools and washes his boat before putting it back on top of my car. The boat can handle the salt water, it's my car that I worry about. Just don't want a lot of salt water dripping on my car and causing the roof to rust, fade, or whatever. The boat itself looks good with just a quick spray of 303. Steve Holtzman ----- Original Message ----- From: ralph diaz To: Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe ; PeterO ; 'Paddlewise' Sent: November 04, 2002 1:48 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Cleaning fibreglass kayaks I always see fiberglass kayak owners washing their boats every chance they get, i.e. when a hose is handy. And I thought it was overkill. Your comments confirm this. Can't see what harm saltwater can do. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
yes it was bright and shiny and NEVER rusted. I think any combo leaning towards *holds an edge* will rust. Swiss Army knifes are a perfect example. steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe" <aldercreek_at_qwest.net> > Mike writes:>>but I've seen lots of marine quality stainless > corrode with little submersion. My knife is one example. > > Stainless steel comes in quite a variety of grades. I am sure the grade of > SS in your knife is quite dirrerent from the grade used in deck hardware. But both the knife and the deck fittings rust. I've yet to discover an alloy of stainless that doesn't corrode. There aren't many stainless fittings on a sea kayak - a handful of nuts and bolts and a couple of deck U bolts maybe - these may not be considered critical if there's a thin layer of corrosion. Rudder cables are another story - swaged ends that have non-stainless crimps might corrode faster and could fail if not inspected regularly. I've noticed that some have aluminum bits and aluminum and steel are a famously bad combination. I've never seen this happen, so it's conjecture on my part at this point. As far as rust on cars goes - the quality of the car finish seems to differ depending on the market. I live in an area where lots of road salt is used in winter and cars are routinely sold with rust proof upgrades. If you live in an area where you get an untreated paint finish, the salt water drips on the car could cause corrosion faster than on my car. Something tells me that Peter would be likely to have a car that is more sensitive to rust - Australia ain't the Great White South. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Michael wrote: - >Something tells me that Peter would be likely >to have a car that is more sensitive to rust >- Australia ain't the Great White South. G'Day Mike, You could be right but a lot of our cars spend a lot of time at the beach:~). Cars at the beach pick up an amazing amount of salt from water carried on the wind. As I mentioned last post, when using a car I dry the boat thoroughly if theres no fresh water around and use one lot of water in a 1 gallon watering can if its available. Generally steam/vapor clean the car after a long weekend at the beach (uses much less water than hosing it down). I'll let you know how rusty the car is in a year or two:~) All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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