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From: Russ
Location: Las Vegas
email: COGIT8R@aol.com
Remote Name: 207.200.116.71
Date: 04.30.06
Time: 06:52:17 PM
This topic was discussed on the other board on 4/26 [How Things Have Changed]. The changes have nothing to do with environmental regulations or the quality of paint. The crew used to paint each boat every year. However,(1) Crew sizes have been reduced so there are fewer personnel available to paint a boat. (2) Most boats are now on shorter runs. More time in port, more time opening and closing hatches, more time washing down the deck, weather, and union regulations have reduced the time available to paint a boat. (3) Boats are now running a longer season. While they used to run from April-May until early December, they now run from late March until middle January. A longer season means more wear on the boat. (4) Salt water boats must be painted to retard corrosion. Corrosion is a lesser problem on the lakes so painting is less critical. With the tight conditions in the U.S iron and steel industry, increased operating costs (salaries, benefits, and fuel), and reduced carrying capacity due to low water levels, the cost of painting for purely aesthetic reasons can not be justified.