Uh oh. For those of you that enjoy water sports and think that because you have a fast-moving wakeboard boat, you’re less likely to give the invasive zebra mussels a ride, think again.
According to an article by Dave Orrick on TwinCities.com, wakeboard boats are the “best” way for the zebra mussel larvae to be transported–and it takes longer for them to die in a wakeboard ballast tank compared to other smaller areas, such as livewells.
The ballast tanks of recreational wakeboard boats beat out other leading stowaway suspect, including sterndrive inboard/outboard engines, bilges and livewells — all of which can harbor the larvae — according to a study by the University of Minnesota’s Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.
The study even goes on to say that the minimal cleaning that typically works for other types of watercraft to eliminate the stowaway larvae isn’t even enough for the wakeboard boat ballast tank.
A hot-water flush or five days of drying are the most practical surefire ways to ensure no larvae survive.
Click here to read the full article.
