Sea Worms!

[Ari]

Originally Posted by Starfish

I have read and re-read all about these critters!

My question is:

Assuming a NEW bottom paint on a WOOD hull boat, in the tropic's.
How easy is it too SEE the worms if there is a problem (on the hull).
If diving around the hull, can you see little holes into the hull
if there is a problem?
No.You cannot see the worm.The hole is too small. What you can see is a small 'snail' or few thousand of small snails on the hull.As the 'snail' grow, the hole grow.
Also if you were too keep your bottom coat good, and
cleaned the hull with a soft brush (under waterline)
say every week, how far would this go in helping
keep the critters at bay?
Won,t help much. These borer are sea water ceature, park your boat for a few days in fresh water, that will kill them all.You will still need to scrap them off the boat bottom.The best bet is still anti fouling paint. Thanks all, GREAT site!

In my place we beached the boat every month, wooden boats without anti fouling is possible if they are built from Chengal or Resak timber. The gum /resin in the wood is poisonous. I have seen Ulin iron wood bored by these creature! Ulin wood is too heavy, in Indonesia normally Ulin was used for the one piece long keel. I used Keruing timber oil to oil the wood for my wooden sampan.It kill those Toredo/ 'berangas' borer.

[kach22i]

Are you guys talking about flat-worms?

Link:
http://www.seasky.org/reeflife/sea2c.html

[kengrome]

Hi George,

Actually we are talking about bivalves (molluscs) that have for a very long time been mistakenly referred to as "worms" ... for obvious reasons when you look at the general shape of these creatures:

Shipworms are notorious for boring into, and eventually destroying, wooden structures which are immersed in sea water, including piers, docks and wooden ships. Sometimes called "termites of the sea", shipworms are not in fact worms, but rather a group of very unusual saltwater clams with very reduced shells. They are marine bivalve molluscs (Eulamellibranchiata) in the family Teredinidae.

They bore into submerged wood, and bacteria in a special organ called the gland of Deshayes enable them to digest cellulose. The excavated burrow is usually lined with a calcareous tube.

This quote comes from the following link which tells more about these critters, the best known variety of which are known as "Teredo":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipworm

[Frosty]

I had a friend who carelesly walked on the beach with bare feet. I have done that myself all my life.
Any way apparantly he got a worm between the toes and this thing got under his skin and the little bastard worked its way all under the skin of his foot.

Seemingly aware of attempts to catch it, it would move about. OOOh

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by kengrome

Actually we are talking about bivalves

Oh, I see now. I tried several other Wiki postings and was confused - thanks kengrome.

Frosty, you are making me squirm.

[mongo75]

I didn't think RI (Rhode Island) was tropical- I've been there and it gets pretty damned cold