J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment black streaks

I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but I get this terrible black streaks down the side of the boat on the outside at the gaps in the teak toe rails & where the stantions are, which appear to come from rain run off. has anyone else had this problem too? They are a real pain to get rid of. The deck is kept very clean, so I think perhaps the streaks come from dirt under the teak or perhaps in the stantions?? any thoughts?? washing the sides of the boat every time it rains to get the streaks off seems a bit ridiculous, isn't rain supposed to clean the boat?

Hi Chris,
I don't have the streak problem, but maybe squirting around with a hose will show you where it's coming from. The toe rails and stantions should be tight to the deck and not trap dirt. There are voids however inside the winches and the stantions/bases. I drilled some (additional) limber holes in the winch bases last time I removed them. Maybe alittle teflon wax on the hull will help?

As the black streaks appear use 3M Black Stream Remover. Use BSR prior to waxing as well. Teflon wax the topsides (hull sides) to faciliate easier removal w/BSR.

The source is pollution in the air. Think acid rain, but in this case it's black rain. Rain isnt clean unless you are in the middle of the ocean, and even then...

I have the same problem on LIS. I just use a combination cleaner and wax (3M or MacGuires) it seems to do the trick. I also suspect it is simply dirty air and dirty rain. The problem is not unique to J/30's. All boats with gaps in their toe rails have the problem in Stamford Harbor.

hey gwylan -

are you coming to the J30 LI sound champs July 12-13 at Cedar Point YC?

lot's of fun.

I painted my hull black - now I don't have any problem with black streak marks - and the old J-30 really looks good in black!

My 3M Black Streak Remover wasn't doing as good a job as it seemed. I then used a product called Spray Nine. Holy Cow. Watch out. Now I have a BRIGHT white spot in the middle of the topsides where the pollution streaks were. That stuff removed a lot of old stains that boat wash wouldn't touch. Also: diesel tracks on transom are easily removed.

Where is "Spray Nine" available, does it work for decks, awlgrip?

I found Spray Nine @ Eldeans Ship Store in Holland, MI (at the end of my dock !)

It works fabulously on the deck. I don't have awlgrip, but I am sure it performs superbly there as well.

You might want to give Roll Off a try. Seems to be magic.