Invasive Species

[Joe Hellaby]

I'm in New York state, and they have been make a huge deal over stopping the spread of invasive species from lake to lake, spending money on educated and informing boaters, installing cleanout stations, etc. I assume this is a big deal all over the country.

This got me thinking, should we flush our cooling system every time between lakes?

I find it funny how they cover all types of boats and equipment, but no mention of jet boats on the state info pages
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48221.html
http://nysparks.com/environment/documents/PreventAquaticInvasiveSpeciesCleanDrainDrySign.pdf

 

[txav8r]

I have read and participated in a number of discussions regarding this @Joe Hillary . I don't think there is a good answer to it. Most of us fresh water boaters don't flush after every use, salt water boaters MUST. The Zebra Mussels have spread from lake to lake regardless of the efforts to keep them out. And I don't want to infect another body of water, so I try to make sure my boat is completely dry inside and out, and that means places you can't see. As your probably aware, there are areas in your boat that you can't see or get to, without taking things apart. And flushing won't get rid of 100% of what has gone through the cooling loop, or salt water boaters wouldn't continue to have issues even though they flush. Most discussions have concluded that water through the cooling loops that go through the engine is fine, because it was heated to a point that will kill the offending species. I doubt it myself, as our boats run pretty cool and the passages have areas that just don't get hot enough. But other than the waterbox, the engine and exhaust will be blown out if you clear the engine the way you should, and any vapor will evaporate quickly. I have never seen any contaminants in my water boxes and I have had them open and looked into them. I don't think anything is 100%, but doing what you can and what is required is a good idea IMO.