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Zebra Mussels
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- John DeVries
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:47 pm
- Location: George, IA
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Zebra Mussels
Is anyone out there who does their boating in zebra mussel infected waters concerned about eggs, larvae, or developed mussels depositing themselves on the walls of the engine cooling passages and limiting water flow through the system? The owner of a boat that I just hauled out and will be winterizing asked about a possible zebra mussel "treatment". The parts of his hoist that are underwater have a fairly heavy coating of the mussels.
The engine is a big-block Ford which runs about 20° cooler than the 143° the manual says is the standard operating temperature. I think that 140° water is required to kill the mussels in any stage of development.
The owner also asked about a Potassium Chloride soaking prior to running the RV antifreeze in.
Thank you very much for any information that can be supplied.
John
The engine is a big-block Ford which runs about 20° cooler than the 143° the manual says is the standard operating temperature. I think that 140° water is required to kill the mussels in any stage of development.
The owner also asked about a Potassium Chloride soaking prior to running the RV antifreeze in.
Thank you very much for any information that can be supplied.
John
Re: Zebra Mussels
I've flushed with Salt-Away prior to winterizing with antifreeze. I don't t know what you'd use to treat an engine cooling exhaust for zebra mussels. I doubt a living organism could live and take hold inside an engine that's being run regularly. Pretty harsh environment for any critter.
- Captain Nemo
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Re: Zebra Mussels
I boat exclusively in a Zebra Zone and I haven't seen any problems in the cooling system. I agree that inside an engine is a harsh environment for any critters.
Boats are to be made of wood, otherwise, God would have grown fiberglass trees.
Re: Zebra Mussels
Ain't got any
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Re: Zebra Mussels
the problem with zebra mussels starts when the boat sits in the water unused for extended periods of time.
then the larva will enter the cooling system and grow into an adult. then the cooling intake and engine passages are full of shells. starting and running the engine will kill them but the shells remain,restricting the water flow.
I don't know what will dissolve the shells other than muratic acid.
then the larva will enter the cooling system and grow into an adult. then the cooling intake and engine passages are full of shells. starting and running the engine will kill them but the shells remain,restricting the water flow.
I don't know what will dissolve the shells other than muratic acid.
- John DeVries
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- Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:47 pm
- Location: George, IA
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Re: Zebra Mussels
Thank you for the input.
The owner of the the boat lives in Washington state and the boat is here in NW Iowa (Okoboji). The owner is here two weeks each the summer, but through a sharing agreement, the boat can be in the hoist for most of the summer and used pretty infrequently. That was the set of circumstances that has the owner worried that the cooling passages could be exposed to the mussels.
John
The owner of the the boat lives in Washington state and the boat is here in NW Iowa (Okoboji). The owner is here two weeks each the summer, but through a sharing agreement, the boat can be in the hoist for most of the summer and used pretty infrequently. That was the set of circumstances that has the owner worried that the cooling passages could be exposed to the mussels.
John
Re: Zebra Mussels
As we fiercely guard against these in Washington State, I sincerely hope the "owner" eradicates them before putting that boat in our waters.
- John DeVries
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:47 pm
- Location: George, IA
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Re: Zebra Mussels
If you read the previous post, the boat stays here - it has never been to Washington state.
After reading more than one report of infected boats being intercepted at loading ramps in your state, it's probably safe to say it's only a matter of time . . .
After reading more than one report of infected boats being intercepted at loading ramps in your state, it's probably safe to say it's only a matter of time . . .
Re: Zebra Mussels
It may be only a matter of time....but we are fighting the intrusion more than other areas.
- John DeVries
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:47 pm
- Location: George, IA
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Re: Zebra Mussels
It appears that there's probably not much more in the way of actual facts/information to be gotten out of this post so, Over & Out.
Re: Zebra Mussels
Lake George NY is fighting Zebra Mussels, Asian Clams, Milfoil, and other invasive species very aggressively. We now have mandatory boat inspections at all launch ramps (Lake George is 32 miles long.)
I'm not sure whether we are winning or postponing, but it has been a very pro-active program. Unfortunately, the geese and other wild fowl do not pass thru these inspection stations.
I'm not sure whether we are winning or postponing, but it has been a very pro-active program. Unfortunately, the geese and other wild fowl do not pass thru these inspection stations.
Re: Zebra Mussels
Are there any good recipes? If so they could be licensed as a game species, and then sold for $12.95 lb.
- Captain Nemo
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Re: Zebra Mussels
They are pretty small, it takes a lot of them to make a meal.Doug P wrote:Are there any good recipes? If so they could be licensed as a game species, and then sold for $12.95 lb.
Boats are to be made of wood, otherwise, God would have grown fiberglass trees.
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