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Air Pollution in Fort Lauderdale?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Norseman, Apr 9, 2017.

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  1. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    We never allow a scraper to be needed. We dive monthly in the winter and every three weeks in warmer weather.
  2. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Cool, I hate scrappers on my bottom paint too.
    On the prop and shaft however, scraping is allowed, before a trip and during a trip.
    I have been known to pull a prop before a long trip, have it tuned and computer balanced at Frank and Jimmy's prop shop, then snorkel on it once a week to make sure it is squeaky clean while in the Bahamas.
    Once or twice I had the prop acid dipped, then epoxy dipped and just before the epoxy "set" coated with epoxy based Trinidad bottom paint.
    It would last for a long time or it would not. Mixed results.
    (Slow turning 16,5" sailboat prop)
  3. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    IMG_0794.JPG
  4. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Always had a spare prop, clean, balanced and ready to roll.
    Never needed it on short notice.
    Like carrying an umbrella and it will not rain.:(
  5. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Here in Miami (coconut grove, on the bay) once a month is fine. Same diver so I know she s not trying to cash in. Bottom paint about 8 months old.
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    She??
    Would She want a black water boat bottom cleaning job in south Georgia?
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    There are no coal powered plants down there?
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    It's coming from I95 bridge, and the airplanes......the prevailing winds are generally SE.
  10. C4ENG

    C4ENG Senior Member

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    The everglades has been on fire last week and we have had some N westerly type winds recently.
  11. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Nah, but spare prop for my sailboat. Fat blades cost me 1/2 knot compared to a folding prop, but lots of torque and bite when doing the New River with currents, traffic and blind bridge operators.
  12. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    True, it could have been a factor as I took the above picture about that time.
    Will monitor the boat for dust and dirt now that we are back to Easterly winds.
  13. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yup, 110-120 degrees wind direction but I am East of I-95 and due North of the airport.
    Still waiting for an answer from the Clean Air folks with the above link.
  14. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Well, the answer is pretty much everywhere. It's wildfires. More than 100 across more than 20,000 acres. Declared a state of emergency. We are in the yellow range as far as air quality. (Well, I'm not as I'm in the Bahamas). When the wind blows in our direction then the smoke particulates are here. Now, further East of you the breeze from the ocean tends to offset it. Of course that sometimes only makes it hover over you longer.

    http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-sb-south-florida-brush-fires-20170410-story.html

    From previously following wildfires in California and NC, I also know this presents a danger to those with lung diseases and other respiratory conditions.

    Here are the links to the air quality maps. At the moment you're barely in the green but have been in and out. Just west of us both sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide have been elevated.

    http://www.dep.state.fl.us/air/air_quality/airdata.htm
  15. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Now if you've always had a problem, probably some other cause, but if it's relatively new, then I'd say the wildfires.
  16. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Well, I always had a problem with the FPL power plant, supposedly they tore it down and I was in the clear, pun intended.
    Now I got the black dust again and probably over-reacted.
    Wildfires and Westerly winds are hopefully the answer.
    Thx.
  17. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Well, I can't swear that's your problem. I asked those at home this morning if they'd seen any at our home and they said they had not, but they did say they smelled it in Weston when they went there.
  18. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    I will look for more now that we have East winds and the trains are upwind from my place.
    Good thing I waxed my boat 4 times in 12 months, it should be well protected.
  19. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I drove across alligator alley today in the middle of it and north, lot of fires and lotssssss of smoke, smoke was headed directly towards Norsemans house
  20. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Alligator Alley was even closed for a while. Glad it was open for you.