Here is the FAQS that will answer alot of your questions!
For more info email to ross@boatbunkers.com
http://www.boatbunkers.com/faqs.html
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Features & Benefits of a boat bunker
How They Work Easy To Install Easy To Use Types & Sizes Photos FAQs Testimonials
Proud User Demo
Never Bottom Paint or Scrape Your Boat Hull Again!
Eliminate the need for a Lift.
Eliminate the need for High & Dry Storage
Easy to Use – Low Maintenance – Cost Effective – NonToxic
Virtually eliminate all barnacles, muscles, tube worms, and other marine biofouling organisms from your boat hull.
Perfect For
Personal Water Craft – Pontoon Boats – House Boats – Live-Aboards – Power Boats – Sail Boats – Performance Boats
Fresh Water – Salt Water
Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station provides the best storage solution for you.
The Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station protects your boat below the water line by isolating the boat’s hull from the surrounding water, which eliminates bottom fouling and keeps your hull clean . Plus, the inflation collar that surrounds the hull of your boat acts as a bumper to protect you boat at the water line.
Safer for you and your boat. The Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station will protect your boat hull from floating debris, garbage, slime and fuel and oil spills. Cross winds and currents when you dock? Not a problem. The Mooring Station will help guide you into your slip. Worried about pulling up onto a floating lift? Never again. Your boat floats in the water – where it was meant to be. Forget about driving your boat onto a hard surface lift.
No need for an expensive boat lift or davit. Your Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station will cost a fraction of a lift. You can install it yourself and move it whenever you want. It is not permanent. Simply tie it off to your dock or pier as you would your boat.
No need to bottom paint or scrap your boat hull again. Bottom paint is costly, toxic, and needs to be reapplied. Hulls need to be scrapped, refinished and repainted. Boats need to be hauled out. NEVER AGAIN. The Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station will virtually eliminate all marine biofouling from your hull. No more toxic bottom paint. No more hull scraping. Better for marinas. Better for waterways.
No toxic chemicals required. The unique design of the Mooring Station isolates your hull so that there is no oxygen or nutrients in the water around your hull so there is no need to add any toxic chemicals.
Bonus - Better fuel efficiency by 3-to-8 percent (save up to 30 cents-per-gallon in today’s market) compared to bottom paint. Boats without bottom paint typically have a higher resale value by 10-to-30 percent compared to bottom paint.
Cleaner Boats – Cleaner Marinas – Cleaner Waterways – Eco-Friendly – Reduced Costs
Enjoy the convenience of in-water boat storage without concern for bottom growth or potential damage to the hull of your boat.
Our Guarantee - We KNOW that you will be satisfied with your In-Water Mooring Station. If for ANY REASON you are dissatisfied with your mooring station in the first 60 days, we’ll give you a full refund. No questions asked. Our Mooring Station comes with a limited two year warrantee.
Visit Our Distributors:
http://www.boatbunkersmidatlantic.com/
Points Of Interest:
Member of
National Marine Manufacturers Association
Sea Grant Extension serves to help citizens and clientele groups
solve problems related to marine resources.
EPA
Marinas & Boating
Clean Boating Tips 2007
Selecting A Hull Paint For Your Boat
NOAA
National Sea Grant College Program
Clean Marina Initiative
Transitioning to Non-Metal Antifouling Paints On Marine Recreational Boats in San Diego Bay
Corrosion FAQ
Boat Bunkers
BLOG
Proud User Demo
Never Bottom Paint or Scrape Your Boat Hull Again!
Eliminate the need for a Lift.
Eliminate the need for High & Dry Storage
Easy to Use – Low Maintenance – Cost Effective – NonToxic
Virtually eliminate all barnacles, muscles, tube worms, and other marine biofouling organisms from your boat hull.
Perfect For
Personal Water Craft – Pontoon Boats – House Boats – Live-Aboards – Power Boats – Sail Boats – Performance Boats
Fresh Water – Salt Water
Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station provides the best storage solution for you.
The Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station protects your boat below the water line by isolating the boat’s hull from the surrounding water, which eliminates bottom fouling and keeps your hull clean . Plus, the inflation collar that surrounds the hull of your boat acts as a bumper to protect you boat at the water line.
Safer for you and your boat. The Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station will protect your boat hull from floating debris, garbage, slime and fuel and oil spills. Cross winds and currents when you dock? Not a problem. The Mooring Station will help guide you into your slip. Worried about pulling up onto a floating lift? Never again. Your boat floats in the water – where it was meant to be. Forget about driving your boat onto a hard surface lift.
No need for an expensive boat lift or davit. Your Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station will cost a fraction of a lift. You can install it yourself and move it whenever you want. It is not permanent. Simply tie it off to your dock or pier as you would your boat.
No need to bottom paint or scrap your boat hull again. Bottom paint is costly, toxic, and needs to be reapplied. Hulls need to be scrapped, refinished and repainted. Boats need to be hauled out. NEVER AGAIN. The Boat Bunkers In-Water Mooring Station will virtually eliminate all marine biofouling from your hull. No more toxic bottom paint. No more hull scraping. Better for marinas. Better for waterways.
No toxic chemicals required. The unique design of the Mooring Station isolates your hull so that there is no oxygen or nutrients in the water around your hull so there is no need to add any toxic chemicals.
Bonus - Better fuel efficiency by 3-to-8 percent (save up to 30 cents-per-gallon in today’s market) compared to bottom paint. Boats without bottom paint typically have a higher resale value by 10-to-30 percent compared to bottom paint.
Cleaner Boats – Cleaner Marinas – Cleaner Waterways – Eco-Friendly – Reduced Costs
Enjoy the convenience of in-water boat storage without concern for bottom growth or potential damage to the hull of your boat.
Our Guarantee - We KNOW that you will be satisfied with your In-Water Mooring Station. If for ANY REASON you are dissatisfied with your mooring station in the first 60 days, we’ll give you a full refund. No questions asked. Our Mooring Station comes with a limited two year warrantee.
Visit Our Distributors:
http://www.boatbunkersmidatlantic.com/
Points Of Interest:
Member of
National Marine Manufacturers Association
Sea Grant Extension serves to help citizens and clientele groups
solve problems related to marine resources.
EPA
Marinas & Boating
Clean Boating Tips 2007
Selecting A Hull Paint For Your Boat
NOAA
National Sea Grant College Program
Clean Marina Initiative
Transitioning to Non-Metal Antifouling Paints On Marine Recreational Boats in San Diego Bay
Corrosion FAQ
Boat Bunkers
BLOG
How does it work?
Boat Bunkers® International has spent four years developing the In-Water Mooring Station that virtually eliminates bottom fouling without the need for bottom paint or hull scraping.
EVER
How does the In-Water Mooring Station prevent bottom fouling?
The Mooring Station isolates the water in contact with the boat’s hull from the surrounding water. This isolation prevents water flow, oxygen replenishment and food sources so marine life cannot grow.
The Mooring Station floats on the water with an undershield below the waterline. It has a rear tailgate that lowers to allow access; and rises to completely isolate the water in the mooring station. The boat floats inside the Mooring Station. Your boat is clean and protected.
No bottom paint. No lift. No chemicals. No need to drain or add water.
Safer for you and your boat. The In-Water Mooring Station will protect your boat hull from floating debris, garbage, slime, and fuel and oil spills. Cross winds and currents when you dock? Not a problem. The Mooring Station will help guide you into your slip. Worried about pulling up onto a floating lift? Never again. Your boat floats in the water – where it was meant to be. Forget about driving your boat onto a hard surface lift. Your boat is perfectly protected in the water.
No need for an expensive boat lift or davit. Your In-Water Mooring Station will cost a fraction of a lift. You can install it yourself and move it whenever you want. It is not permanent. Simply tie it off to your dock or pier as you would your boat. Many marinas and Home Owner’s Associations prohibit lifts, but welcome the mooring station.
No need to bottom paint or scrap your boat hull again. Bottom paint is costly, toxic, and needs to be reapplied. Hulls need to be scrapped, refinished, and repainted. Boats need to be hauled out. NEVER AGAIN. The Mooring Station will virtually eliminate all marine biofouling from your hull. No more toxic bottom paint. No more hull scraping. Better for marinas. Better for waterways. Better for you.
No toxic chemicals required. The unique design of the Mooring Station isolates your hull so that there is no need to add any toxic chemicals.
Installs easily with minimal maintenance. Weighs less than 100 pounds. Assembles in less than three man-hours with a hammer, nut-driver and pliers. Occasionally add bio-friendly algaecide if needed. Annual cleaning if desired.
Suitable for all boats. Motor boats, sail boats, performance boats, pontoon boats, house boats, live-aboards, catamarans, and personal water craft, in fresh or salt water.
Bonus - Better fuel efficiency by 3-to-8 percent (save up to 30 cents-per-gallon in today’s market) compared to bottom paint. Higher resale value by 10-to-30 percent compared to bottom paint.
Our Guarantee - We KNOW that you will be satisfied with your In-Water Mooring Station. If for ANY REASON you are dissatisfied with your mooring station in the first 60 days, we’ll give you a full refund. No questions asked. Our mooring stations come with a limited two year warrantee.
Cleaner boats. Cleaner marinas. Cleaner waterways.
Reduced costs.
EVER
How does the In-Water Mooring Station prevent bottom fouling?
The Mooring Station isolates the water in contact with the boat’s hull from the surrounding water. This isolation prevents water flow, oxygen replenishment and food sources so marine life cannot grow.
The Mooring Station floats on the water with an undershield below the waterline. It has a rear tailgate that lowers to allow access; and rises to completely isolate the water in the mooring station. The boat floats inside the Mooring Station. Your boat is clean and protected.
No bottom paint. No lift. No chemicals. No need to drain or add water.
Safer for you and your boat. The In-Water Mooring Station will protect your boat hull from floating debris, garbage, slime, and fuel and oil spills. Cross winds and currents when you dock? Not a problem. The Mooring Station will help guide you into your slip. Worried about pulling up onto a floating lift? Never again. Your boat floats in the water – where it was meant to be. Forget about driving your boat onto a hard surface lift. Your boat is perfectly protected in the water.
No need for an expensive boat lift or davit. Your In-Water Mooring Station will cost a fraction of a lift. You can install it yourself and move it whenever you want. It is not permanent. Simply tie it off to your dock or pier as you would your boat. Many marinas and Home Owner’s Associations prohibit lifts, but welcome the mooring station.
No need to bottom paint or scrap your boat hull again. Bottom paint is costly, toxic, and needs to be reapplied. Hulls need to be scrapped, refinished, and repainted. Boats need to be hauled out. NEVER AGAIN. The Mooring Station will virtually eliminate all marine biofouling from your hull. No more toxic bottom paint. No more hull scraping. Better for marinas. Better for waterways. Better for you.
No toxic chemicals required. The unique design of the Mooring Station isolates your hull so that there is no need to add any toxic chemicals.
Installs easily with minimal maintenance. Weighs less than 100 pounds. Assembles in less than three man-hours with a hammer, nut-driver and pliers. Occasionally add bio-friendly algaecide if needed. Annual cleaning if desired.
Suitable for all boats. Motor boats, sail boats, performance boats, pontoon boats, house boats, live-aboards, catamarans, and personal water craft, in fresh or salt water.
Bonus - Better fuel efficiency by 3-to-8 percent (save up to 30 cents-per-gallon in today’s market) compared to bottom paint. Higher resale value by 10-to-30 percent compared to bottom paint.
Our Guarantee - We KNOW that you will be satisfied with your In-Water Mooring Station. If for ANY REASON you are dissatisfied with your mooring station in the first 60 days, we’ll give you a full refund. No questions asked. Our mooring stations come with a limited two year warrantee.
Cleaner boats. Cleaner marinas. Cleaner waterways.
Reduced costs.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
testimonial from BOATUS.com message board
SunnyDazeForum MemberJoined: 04 November 2007Posts: 2
Posted: 04 November 2007 at 2:02am IP Logged
Hi, I have a Boat Bunker; actually my 2nd one and wanted to let you know my opinion on it. My first boat was a 25' Doral, and I knew if I kept it on the trailer I wouldn't use it as much as if I kept it at my dock, so I went to the boat shows (Miami and Ft. Lauderdale about 2 years ago-I live in South Florida where keeping it in the water would have meant not only bottom paint, which would have decreased the value of a boat that size, and problems with the outdrive sooner rather than later) looking for info on a lift. I had never heard of a Boat Bunker. After looking around I discovered the Boat Bunker and definitely was a little skeptical about it, but after I took home the info and spoke with a few people that had the system; I decided to go for it. It was less than a lift, and it also seemed like a great way to protect the boat. After keeping it in the Bunker for about 9 months I pulled it out to get some service done and except for dirt, the bottom had no growth on it; and this was on a bottom without paint. About a year later I decided to get a bigger boat; a 32 Sea Ray Sundancer; and again went with a larger Boat Bunker. I haven't had any problems with it and it is easy to work and maintain. If someone wants me to send a photo of my boat in it, just email me; but for the money I think it is a great system.
http://my.boatus.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61541&PN=1
Posted: 04 November 2007 at 2:02am IP Logged
Hi, I have a Boat Bunker; actually my 2nd one and wanted to let you know my opinion on it. My first boat was a 25' Doral, and I knew if I kept it on the trailer I wouldn't use it as much as if I kept it at my dock, so I went to the boat shows (Miami and Ft. Lauderdale about 2 years ago-I live in South Florida where keeping it in the water would have meant not only bottom paint, which would have decreased the value of a boat that size, and problems with the outdrive sooner rather than later) looking for info on a lift. I had never heard of a Boat Bunker. After looking around I discovered the Boat Bunker and definitely was a little skeptical about it, but after I took home the info and spoke with a few people that had the system; I decided to go for it. It was less than a lift, and it also seemed like a great way to protect the boat. After keeping it in the Bunker for about 9 months I pulled it out to get some service done and except for dirt, the bottom had no growth on it; and this was on a bottom without paint. About a year later I decided to get a bigger boat; a 32 Sea Ray Sundancer; and again went with a larger Boat Bunker. I haven't had any problems with it and it is easy to work and maintain. If someone wants me to send a photo of my boat in it, just email me; but for the money I think it is a great system.
http://my.boatus.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61541&PN=1
Saturday, November 3, 2007
A Non-Toxic Antifouling Alternative to Bottom Painting
A NONTOXIC ANTIFOULING ALTERNATIVE TO BOTTOM PAINTING
Never Clean or Bottom Paint Your Hull Again
BACKGROUND
The effects of bottom fouling are well documented: poor performance and increased fuel consumption. A bottom paint, combined with underwater hull cleaning, is the most popular antifouling strategy.
The most widely used bottom paints are pesticides containing copper. These paints are deigned to continuously release copper into surface waters through passive leaching and ablation, and are toxic to young stages of marine life. Hull cleaning releases additional metal into the surrounding water.
Bottom paint is toxic. Scientific studies conclude that dissolved copper in marine waters have reached toxic levels and that boat bottom paints are the major sources of this copper.
Government agencies in southern California are concerned about toxic buildup of copper in boat basins and are acting to cut emissions of copper from bottom paint. Some European countries have already restricted copper-based bottom paints for pleasure craft.
Pleasure craft often spend a majority of time at the slip, so most of the copper is released there and builds up in the waters and sediments. Sediments that contain copper are more expensive to dredge from boat basins because they require special handling and disposal methods. Boatyards also have high costs for environmental permits to contain and dispose of the copper they remove from boat bottoms. These costs are passed on the boaters and marinas.
Paint companies anticipate that copper-based bottom paints may be regulated within 5-10 years, so they are developing environmentally friendly alternatives.
Currently available nontoxic bottom coatings may be silicone-, epoxy-, water- or polymer-based. Nontoxic coatings are more expensive than copper-based paints; furthermore, they do not slow fouling growth and need more frequent cleaning than copper-based paints. Nontoxic coatings are relatively new. Lifespan, cleaning schedule and difficulty, and the cost of haul-outs for repainting have not been determined.
In the mean time, the EPA has found the amount of dissolved copper to currently exceed federal and state standards in many of our popular marinas and harbors by as much as nearly 10-times the amount allowed. (The source for the above is What You Need To Know About Nontoxic Antifouling Strategies For Boats, Report No. T-049 published by the California Sea Grant College Program, University of California, October 2002. See: http://www.csgc.ucsd.edu/PUBLICATIONS/PDF_pubs/AntifoulingBrochure1.pdf)
Add to this the real cost and maintenance of bottom painting. Haul-outs. Repainting. Divers. Scraping. Over $3,000 can easily be spent every couple of years keeping the hull clean on a 28-foot boat. Those new, less toxic paints probably won’t be any cheaper or last longer than what is currently available.
What about a lift? $12,000 gets you started. Add permitting costs (IF you can.). Or the friendly Home Owners Association that doesn’t approve lifts. What ever you do – Don’t buy a bigger boat.
THERE HAS GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY.
A NONTOXIC ANTIFOULING ALTERNATIVE TO BOTTOM PAINTING
Never Clean or Bottom Paint Your Hull Again
ISSUE
Bottom paint is toxic. It cost money to clean-up the waters. The hull still has to be cleaned. The paint has to be reapplied. It reduces resale value. It’s not something you want to put on your go-fast.
Lifts are expensive. Lots of Home Owners Associations don’t allow them. Permit and building codes are getting stricter. And you can’t sit in your boat and watch the sun go down – When its on a lift.
SOLUTION
BOAT BUNKERS® manufactures a patented Inflatable In-Water Mooring Station with world-wide sales that protects the boat below the water line by isolating the hull from the surrounding water. The same way that a pet-store fish dies in a plastic bag – Oxygen in the in-water mooring station is not replenished in the water, so barnacles, muscles, and worms can not grow. There is no need to ever clean or bottom paint the boat hull again.
The in-water mooring station floats on the water with an undershield below the waterline. It has a rear tailgate that lowers to allow ingress and egress; and rises to completely isolate the water in the mooring station. It ties onto the dock in much the same way as a boat would be moored. The boat floats inside the in-water mooring station– It keeps your boat clean and protected.
Advantages:
Never clean or bottom paint the boat hull again.
Environmentally friendly.
ZERO pesticides are released into the water.
Reduced cost of marina and boatyard toxic waste cleanup and disposal.
Has a negligible impact relative to the boat on the sea floor.
Contains spills such as oil, gas, diesel, etc.
Prevents external spills and debris from fouling the hull.
Better fuel efficiency and performance without bottom paint.
Potentially higher boat resale value without bottom paint.
Generally accepted by Home Owner Associations.
About 1/3rd the cost of a lift.
Suitable for motor boats, sail boats, pontoon boats and personal water craft.
In most circumstances, more will be spent in two years cleaning and bottom painting a boat than the cost of an in-water mooring station.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an In-Water Mooring Station prevent bottom fouling?
The in-water mooring station manufactured by BOAT BUNKERS® isolates the water in contact with you boat’s hull from the surrounding water. The isolation prevents water flow, oxygen replenishment and food sources so marine life can not grow. This is true for salt water and freshwater installations. No salt water barnacles. No freshwater muscles. It’s like fish in an aquarium – If you do not add oxygen and food, the fish will die. By treating the water inside of the mooring station, you can control algae, slim and discoloration and keep your hull perfectly clean.
Do I need to add chemicals?
You do not need to treat the water to prevent barnacle growth and the like. However, you can add an environmentally friendly agent to treat the water for algae and plant growth. Swimming pool and spa supply retailers sell enzyme-based products that can clean and clarify the water inside of the mooring station. BOAT BUNKERS offers an environmentally friendly water treatment agent which is used in commercial fishing ponds and in treating drinking water systems.
Is it hard to install an In-Water Mooring Station?
Not really. The mooring stations are designed for easy installation: Lay the undershield out on the ground. Inflate the collar and then attach the undershield with the snap buckles that are built into the undershield. Then attach the gate section and its ready to put into the water. We include a DVD that walks you through the process.
It can be done fairly easily the first time in less then two man-hours. All you need is enough mooring line to secure the in-water mooring station to the dock, a hammer and an air-pump. One person can do it. Two are better. An in-water mooring station suitable for a 30-foot boat weighs about 70-pounds. Secure the in-water mooring station to your pilings, dock or seawall with the same care as you would secure your boat.
How do I moor the In-Water Mooring Station?
Apply the same restrictions, regulations and guidelines for mooring the in-water mooring station as you would to your boat. In any case, be mindful not to adversely affect navigation, natural resources, the rights of waterfront property owners and the public’s health, safety and welfare as addressed in your local codes and ordinances. Remember, the in-water mooring station floats – allow for changes in tide.
How much room does the in-water mooring station take up in the water?
The actual footprint of a in-water mooring station in the water will vary with size. But overall, mooring restrictions are the same as for a boat and must be followed for length, beam and draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the water inside the in-water mooring station get hot?
No. The water inside the in-water mooring station remains at the same temperature as the surrounding water. The in-water mooring station is not a thermal barrier.
Do I need to add fresh water to the mooring station?
No. The water in the in-water mooring station is depleted of oxygen, which is why there is no bottom fouling. Fresh water is not required. You also don’t need to pump any water out.
Will barnacles grow on the outside of the mooring station?
Yes. It is better to have barnacles in the outside of the in-water mooring station– rather than on the outside of your boat. Because the undershield is made with a flexible fabric material, the severity and rate of growth is usually less than on a hard surface like a boat. Depending on your local conditions, we recommend the in-water mooring station be removed and cleaned every two years. If the undershield is damaged, it may need to be repaired or replaced. Efforts are under way to develop a material which will substantially reduce marine growth on the exterior of the mooring station.
How long will the material last?
The inflation collar is made with a heavy reinforced PVC material similar to that used for inflatable boats. The undershield is made with a lighter weight reinforced PVC fabric. The gate sections are made with rigid PVC tubing.
With proper care and maintenance the mooring stations will have a service life of five to ten years. The materials used have built-in UV inhibitors with a minimum 10 year life expectancy. Depending upon your water conditions and the cleaning and maintenance of the undershield, you may have to replace the undershield every three to five years. We have a two year limited warranty.
How long will the inflation collar hold air?
The collar is designed to hold air for extended periods. However, you will see fluctuations in the internal air pressure with changes in the ambient air temperature. In lower air temperatures, the inflation collar will be softer. To keep the inflation collar rigid, in some cases you may have to add air every month or so through air valves located on either side of the inflation collar.
Can the in-water mooring station sink?
Doubtful. 100-percent of the air would have to be evacuated from the inflation collar. An in-water mooring station for a 30-foot vessel weighs about 70-pounds and should easily be supported by residual air trapped in the inflation collar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need AC power to operate the tailgate?
No. The tailgate raises by inflating a tube that runs off a battery operated pump. The battery is capable of several hundred cycles before it needs to be recharged. To lower the tailgate, the tube is simply deflated by releasing the air pressure at the pump. To raise or lower the tailgate takes under a couple of minutes.
How do I dock my boat when it is dark – will I be able to see the mooring station?
The in-water mooring station can be made as visible as you wish. Passive or active systems can be added. Reflective tape and lighted docks are examples. Care must be taken not to confuse other boaters. This might be more of an issue where the in-water mooring station is on the outside of a dock or seawall and not otherwise protected by pilings.
Will the in-water mooring station prevent hull blistering?
All the studies indicate that hull blistering is caused by poor resin and layup techniques. With some boat manufacturers, blistering is severe; with others the problem is moderate; and negligible with others. Blistering is more prevalent on longer boats than shorter ones. Blistering appears to be related solely to manufacturing materials and processes. Neither an in-water mooring station nor bottom-painting will affect the development of hull blisters. A lift may delay the process, but blistering will occur over time if poor resin and layup techniques are used.
What do I do if there is a hurricane?
If you take your boat out of the water during hurricane season, you should also take the in-water mooring station out of the water. This will be a good time to clean and inspect your mooring station.
If there is a hurricane and you do not take your boat out of the water, you should lash the in-water mooring station onto the boat. Because the in-water mooring station is a one-piece construction (most of which is under water) and because it presents only a small area above the water compared to a boat, the possibility of the in-water mooring station coming loose from under a boat is less then the boat coming loose from the moorings. In any case – Good mariner practice dictates that the in-water mooring station be treated as any other floating vessel.
The mooring stations are full of water. They are like a huge sea anchor and are very stable. They ride up and down on waves and wakes just like a boat will.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the environmental considerations of an in-water mooring station?
Copper-based bottom paints contain between 20% and 76% copper – a toxic pesticide that affects marine life. The federal regulatory standard for dissolved copper is 3.1 parts-per-billion (ppb). The highest concentration of heavy metal pesticides is in marinas where there can be hundreds of slips and where concentrations as high as 29.0ppb have been measured.
The principal benefit to the environment of the BOAT BUNKERS® In-Water Mooring Station is the elimination of the need for bottom paint and hull cleaning. This means less toxic chemicals in the waters, boatyards and marinas. Less copper paint to remove and dispose of. Less sediment dredged from boat basins contaminated with copper.
Another obvious advantage in having a collar around a boat is that any internal spills are immediately contained. Gas, diesel, oil, cleaning agents, varnishes, garbage, trash, sewage, zinc, copper and other pollutants, cannot contaminate the surrounding water. The in-water mooring station will also prevent external spills and debris from fouling the hull.
Finally, the in-water mooring station has a negligible impact relative to the boat on either direct or inadvertent alteration or destruction of sea grasses, wetland vegetation, bottom sediments, and benthic fauna.
While we have no reported instances of marine life such as manatee entering a mooring station, we can not say that they will not. There is nothing to draw them into the in-water mooring station and neither is there anything to keep them out. If a manatee enters an in-water mooring station there is nothing to prevent it from exiting. Care should and must always be taken when mooring – with or without a mooring station.
Never Clean or Bottom Paint Your Hull Again
BACKGROUND
The effects of bottom fouling are well documented: poor performance and increased fuel consumption. A bottom paint, combined with underwater hull cleaning, is the most popular antifouling strategy.
The most widely used bottom paints are pesticides containing copper. These paints are deigned to continuously release copper into surface waters through passive leaching and ablation, and are toxic to young stages of marine life. Hull cleaning releases additional metal into the surrounding water.
Bottom paint is toxic. Scientific studies conclude that dissolved copper in marine waters have reached toxic levels and that boat bottom paints are the major sources of this copper.
Government agencies in southern California are concerned about toxic buildup of copper in boat basins and are acting to cut emissions of copper from bottom paint. Some European countries have already restricted copper-based bottom paints for pleasure craft.
Pleasure craft often spend a majority of time at the slip, so most of the copper is released there and builds up in the waters and sediments. Sediments that contain copper are more expensive to dredge from boat basins because they require special handling and disposal methods. Boatyards also have high costs for environmental permits to contain and dispose of the copper they remove from boat bottoms. These costs are passed on the boaters and marinas.
Paint companies anticipate that copper-based bottom paints may be regulated within 5-10 years, so they are developing environmentally friendly alternatives.
Currently available nontoxic bottom coatings may be silicone-, epoxy-, water- or polymer-based. Nontoxic coatings are more expensive than copper-based paints; furthermore, they do not slow fouling growth and need more frequent cleaning than copper-based paints. Nontoxic coatings are relatively new. Lifespan, cleaning schedule and difficulty, and the cost of haul-outs for repainting have not been determined.
In the mean time, the EPA has found the amount of dissolved copper to currently exceed federal and state standards in many of our popular marinas and harbors by as much as nearly 10-times the amount allowed. (The source for the above is What You Need To Know About Nontoxic Antifouling Strategies For Boats, Report No. T-049 published by the California Sea Grant College Program, University of California, October 2002. See: http://www.csgc.ucsd.edu/PUBLICATIONS/PDF_pubs/AntifoulingBrochure1.pdf)
Add to this the real cost and maintenance of bottom painting. Haul-outs. Repainting. Divers. Scraping. Over $3,000 can easily be spent every couple of years keeping the hull clean on a 28-foot boat. Those new, less toxic paints probably won’t be any cheaper or last longer than what is currently available.
What about a lift? $12,000 gets you started. Add permitting costs (IF you can.). Or the friendly Home Owners Association that doesn’t approve lifts. What ever you do – Don’t buy a bigger boat.
THERE HAS GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY.
A NONTOXIC ANTIFOULING ALTERNATIVE TO BOTTOM PAINTING
Never Clean or Bottom Paint Your Hull Again
ISSUE
Bottom paint is toxic. It cost money to clean-up the waters. The hull still has to be cleaned. The paint has to be reapplied. It reduces resale value. It’s not something you want to put on your go-fast.
Lifts are expensive. Lots of Home Owners Associations don’t allow them. Permit and building codes are getting stricter. And you can’t sit in your boat and watch the sun go down – When its on a lift.
SOLUTION
BOAT BUNKERS® manufactures a patented Inflatable In-Water Mooring Station with world-wide sales that protects the boat below the water line by isolating the hull from the surrounding water. The same way that a pet-store fish dies in a plastic bag – Oxygen in the in-water mooring station is not replenished in the water, so barnacles, muscles, and worms can not grow. There is no need to ever clean or bottom paint the boat hull again.
The in-water mooring station floats on the water with an undershield below the waterline. It has a rear tailgate that lowers to allow ingress and egress; and rises to completely isolate the water in the mooring station. It ties onto the dock in much the same way as a boat would be moored. The boat floats inside the in-water mooring station– It keeps your boat clean and protected.
Advantages:
Never clean or bottom paint the boat hull again.
Environmentally friendly.
ZERO pesticides are released into the water.
Reduced cost of marina and boatyard toxic waste cleanup and disposal.
Has a negligible impact relative to the boat on the sea floor.
Contains spills such as oil, gas, diesel, etc.
Prevents external spills and debris from fouling the hull.
Better fuel efficiency and performance without bottom paint.
Potentially higher boat resale value without bottom paint.
Generally accepted by Home Owner Associations.
About 1/3rd the cost of a lift.
Suitable for motor boats, sail boats, pontoon boats and personal water craft.
In most circumstances, more will be spent in two years cleaning and bottom painting a boat than the cost of an in-water mooring station.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an In-Water Mooring Station prevent bottom fouling?
The in-water mooring station manufactured by BOAT BUNKERS® isolates the water in contact with you boat’s hull from the surrounding water. The isolation prevents water flow, oxygen replenishment and food sources so marine life can not grow. This is true for salt water and freshwater installations. No salt water barnacles. No freshwater muscles. It’s like fish in an aquarium – If you do not add oxygen and food, the fish will die. By treating the water inside of the mooring station, you can control algae, slim and discoloration and keep your hull perfectly clean.
Do I need to add chemicals?
You do not need to treat the water to prevent barnacle growth and the like. However, you can add an environmentally friendly agent to treat the water for algae and plant growth. Swimming pool and spa supply retailers sell enzyme-based products that can clean and clarify the water inside of the mooring station. BOAT BUNKERS offers an environmentally friendly water treatment agent which is used in commercial fishing ponds and in treating drinking water systems.
Is it hard to install an In-Water Mooring Station?
Not really. The mooring stations are designed for easy installation: Lay the undershield out on the ground. Inflate the collar and then attach the undershield with the snap buckles that are built into the undershield. Then attach the gate section and its ready to put into the water. We include a DVD that walks you through the process.
It can be done fairly easily the first time in less then two man-hours. All you need is enough mooring line to secure the in-water mooring station to the dock, a hammer and an air-pump. One person can do it. Two are better. An in-water mooring station suitable for a 30-foot boat weighs about 70-pounds. Secure the in-water mooring station to your pilings, dock or seawall with the same care as you would secure your boat.
How do I moor the In-Water Mooring Station?
Apply the same restrictions, regulations and guidelines for mooring the in-water mooring station as you would to your boat. In any case, be mindful not to adversely affect navigation, natural resources, the rights of waterfront property owners and the public’s health, safety and welfare as addressed in your local codes and ordinances. Remember, the in-water mooring station floats – allow for changes in tide.
How much room does the in-water mooring station take up in the water?
The actual footprint of a in-water mooring station in the water will vary with size. But overall, mooring restrictions are the same as for a boat and must be followed for length, beam and draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the water inside the in-water mooring station get hot?
No. The water inside the in-water mooring station remains at the same temperature as the surrounding water. The in-water mooring station is not a thermal barrier.
Do I need to add fresh water to the mooring station?
No. The water in the in-water mooring station is depleted of oxygen, which is why there is no bottom fouling. Fresh water is not required. You also don’t need to pump any water out.
Will barnacles grow on the outside of the mooring station?
Yes. It is better to have barnacles in the outside of the in-water mooring station– rather than on the outside of your boat. Because the undershield is made with a flexible fabric material, the severity and rate of growth is usually less than on a hard surface like a boat. Depending on your local conditions, we recommend the in-water mooring station be removed and cleaned every two years. If the undershield is damaged, it may need to be repaired or replaced. Efforts are under way to develop a material which will substantially reduce marine growth on the exterior of the mooring station.
How long will the material last?
The inflation collar is made with a heavy reinforced PVC material similar to that used for inflatable boats. The undershield is made with a lighter weight reinforced PVC fabric. The gate sections are made with rigid PVC tubing.
With proper care and maintenance the mooring stations will have a service life of five to ten years. The materials used have built-in UV inhibitors with a minimum 10 year life expectancy. Depending upon your water conditions and the cleaning and maintenance of the undershield, you may have to replace the undershield every three to five years. We have a two year limited warranty.
How long will the inflation collar hold air?
The collar is designed to hold air for extended periods. However, you will see fluctuations in the internal air pressure with changes in the ambient air temperature. In lower air temperatures, the inflation collar will be softer. To keep the inflation collar rigid, in some cases you may have to add air every month or so through air valves located on either side of the inflation collar.
Can the in-water mooring station sink?
Doubtful. 100-percent of the air would have to be evacuated from the inflation collar. An in-water mooring station for a 30-foot vessel weighs about 70-pounds and should easily be supported by residual air trapped in the inflation collar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need AC power to operate the tailgate?
No. The tailgate raises by inflating a tube that runs off a battery operated pump. The battery is capable of several hundred cycles before it needs to be recharged. To lower the tailgate, the tube is simply deflated by releasing the air pressure at the pump. To raise or lower the tailgate takes under a couple of minutes.
How do I dock my boat when it is dark – will I be able to see the mooring station?
The in-water mooring station can be made as visible as you wish. Passive or active systems can be added. Reflective tape and lighted docks are examples. Care must be taken not to confuse other boaters. This might be more of an issue where the in-water mooring station is on the outside of a dock or seawall and not otherwise protected by pilings.
Will the in-water mooring station prevent hull blistering?
All the studies indicate that hull blistering is caused by poor resin and layup techniques. With some boat manufacturers, blistering is severe; with others the problem is moderate; and negligible with others. Blistering is more prevalent on longer boats than shorter ones. Blistering appears to be related solely to manufacturing materials and processes. Neither an in-water mooring station nor bottom-painting will affect the development of hull blisters. A lift may delay the process, but blistering will occur over time if poor resin and layup techniques are used.
What do I do if there is a hurricane?
If you take your boat out of the water during hurricane season, you should also take the in-water mooring station out of the water. This will be a good time to clean and inspect your mooring station.
If there is a hurricane and you do not take your boat out of the water, you should lash the in-water mooring station onto the boat. Because the in-water mooring station is a one-piece construction (most of which is under water) and because it presents only a small area above the water compared to a boat, the possibility of the in-water mooring station coming loose from under a boat is less then the boat coming loose from the moorings. In any case – Good mariner practice dictates that the in-water mooring station be treated as any other floating vessel.
The mooring stations are full of water. They are like a huge sea anchor and are very stable. They ride up and down on waves and wakes just like a boat will.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the environmental considerations of an in-water mooring station?
Copper-based bottom paints contain between 20% and 76% copper – a toxic pesticide that affects marine life. The federal regulatory standard for dissolved copper is 3.1 parts-per-billion (ppb). The highest concentration of heavy metal pesticides is in marinas where there can be hundreds of slips and where concentrations as high as 29.0ppb have been measured.
The principal benefit to the environment of the BOAT BUNKERS® In-Water Mooring Station is the elimination of the need for bottom paint and hull cleaning. This means less toxic chemicals in the waters, boatyards and marinas. Less copper paint to remove and dispose of. Less sediment dredged from boat basins contaminated with copper.
Another obvious advantage in having a collar around a boat is that any internal spills are immediately contained. Gas, diesel, oil, cleaning agents, varnishes, garbage, trash, sewage, zinc, copper and other pollutants, cannot contaminate the surrounding water. The in-water mooring station will also prevent external spills and debris from fouling the hull.
Finally, the in-water mooring station has a negligible impact relative to the boat on either direct or inadvertent alteration or destruction of sea grasses, wetland vegetation, bottom sediments, and benthic fauna.
While we have no reported instances of marine life such as manatee entering a mooring station, we can not say that they will not. There is nothing to draw them into the in-water mooring station and neither is there anything to keep them out. If a manatee enters an in-water mooring station there is nothing to prevent it from exiting. Care should and must always be taken when mooring – with or without a mooring station.
Boat Bunkers Appoints Mid-Atlantic Distributor
Contact: Bruce Nelson FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boat Bunkers International.
4516 SE 16th Place
Cape Coral, FL 33904
800 576-2511
www.boatbunkers.com
bnelson@boatbunkers.com
Boat Bunkers Appoints Mid-Atlantic Distributor
New Company To Service Region From North Carolina Through Georgia
Boat Bunkers International, producers of the original In-Water Mooring Station, has appointed a newly formed company to serve as the exclusive distributor of the company’s product line in the states of North and South Carolina and Georgia. The new company will be operating as “Boat Bunkers Mid-Atlantic”.
Headed up by Ross Lysinger, a 25 year marine industry veteran, Boat Bunkers Mid-Atlantic will provide sales, installation and service support in the mid-Atlantic states. Bruce Nelson, CEO of Boat Bunkers International reports: “The mid Atlantic states represent an important market territory for our products. Not only are there a significant concentration of boaters in this area, the region is well know for its dynamic and proactive marine trades. Ross has a very strong and diverse background in the industry as a Captain, Sales Manager and Consultant and he and his group represent a perfect blend of experience to launch and manage a grass roots marketing effort in this territory.
Boat Bunkers Mid-Atlantic, headquartered in Hilton Head, SC, will maintain inventory at its facilities, proving for same or next day delivery to virtually any location in the mid-Atlantic area. Commenting on the product and the mid-Atlantic market, Ross states: “This part of the coast has some of the fastest boat bottom fouling in the country. Until now, the choices have been: expensive bottom painting or Lifts along with frequent scraping by divers. The In-Water Mooring Station fills the need for an inexpensive, environmentally safe, new way to keep the bottoms of boats clean here. I first saw a primitive version of this idea at the 1962 America’s Cup and am excited that the concept has been perfected and that we can help local yachtsmen with them ”.
Boat Bunkers offers In-Water Mooring Stations that are designed to prevent bottom fouling on boats that are kept in the water. The company offers models to accommodate boats from 12 to 50 feet. Because they eliminate the need to clean and scrape as well as the need to use anti-fouling paint, they are very environmentally friendly in addition to being very easy and convenient to use.
For information contact:
www.boatbunkers.com
ross@boatbunkers.com
800 576-2511
###
Boat Bunkers International.
4516 SE 16th Place
Cape Coral, FL 33904
800 576-2511
www.boatbunkers.com
bnelson@boatbunkers.com
Boat Bunkers Appoints Mid-Atlantic Distributor
New Company To Service Region From North Carolina Through Georgia
Boat Bunkers International, producers of the original In-Water Mooring Station, has appointed a newly formed company to serve as the exclusive distributor of the company’s product line in the states of North and South Carolina and Georgia. The new company will be operating as “Boat Bunkers Mid-Atlantic”.
Headed up by Ross Lysinger, a 25 year marine industry veteran, Boat Bunkers Mid-Atlantic will provide sales, installation and service support in the mid-Atlantic states. Bruce Nelson, CEO of Boat Bunkers International reports: “The mid Atlantic states represent an important market territory for our products. Not only are there a significant concentration of boaters in this area, the region is well know for its dynamic and proactive marine trades. Ross has a very strong and diverse background in the industry as a Captain, Sales Manager and Consultant and he and his group represent a perfect blend of experience to launch and manage a grass roots marketing effort in this territory.
Boat Bunkers Mid-Atlantic, headquartered in Hilton Head, SC, will maintain inventory at its facilities, proving for same or next day delivery to virtually any location in the mid-Atlantic area. Commenting on the product and the mid-Atlantic market, Ross states: “This part of the coast has some of the fastest boat bottom fouling in the country. Until now, the choices have been: expensive bottom painting or Lifts along with frequent scraping by divers. The In-Water Mooring Station fills the need for an inexpensive, environmentally safe, new way to keep the bottoms of boats clean here. I first saw a primitive version of this idea at the 1962 America’s Cup and am excited that the concept has been perfected and that we can help local yachtsmen with them ”.
Boat Bunkers offers In-Water Mooring Stations that are designed to prevent bottom fouling on boats that are kept in the water. The company offers models to accommodate boats from 12 to 50 feet. Because they eliminate the need to clean and scrape as well as the need to use anti-fouling paint, they are very environmentally friendly in addition to being very easy and convenient to use.
For information contact:
www.boatbunkers.com
ross@boatbunkers.com
800 576-2511
###
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