Barnacle Removers

The acid-based products from Star brite and Marykate worked best, but are nasty to work with. Start with non-toxic Marsolve, though it's less effective.

Marsolve (left) is an aqueous organic salt solution that is biodegradable, non- toxic and non-corrosive. It's been around a long time and is primarily used to treat and clean steam boilers. Marykate On & Off (middle) contains hydrochloric, phosphoric, and oxalic acids. It’s also sold under the West Marine name. Star brite Barnacle and Zebra Mussel Remover also contains acid.

In the April 1 issue of PS, we published a not-very-flattering description of a boat belonging to our friend Chris Landry, editor of Powerboat Reports, in connection with a gelcoat restorer article. We said that the 21-foot Neptune had never, to our knowledge, been cleaned, inside or out, and that it was the floating version of Oscar Madison's bedroom. "Fish blood and rust stains, grease, grime, and dirt covered the cockpit from gunwale to gunwale. Scuffs and stains grubbed up the gelcoat, which was also chalking and fading fast..." …