Scrub My Own Bottom

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R

Radeon

Just read about slime buildup on the hull and how anti-foul paint can only goes so far.

If I want to clean / scrub the bottom of our 36' sailboat myself what do I need to know about wetsuits, brushes and how to do it etc.

Also, never mind telling me about the dangers of electrocution at marinas, because I also like to use my hair dryer while in my bathtub.

Thanks
 

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
Get a brush, jump in and scrub. If you use a wet suit, you might want a weight belt.
 

Ducati

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Nov 19, 2008
380
Boatless Boatless Annapolis
It's That Easy?

So my question is this:

Why spend mucho bucks on anti-foul paint every spring, when you can jump in the water and giver her a quick brush?


Get a brush, jump in and scrub. If you use a wet suit, you might want a weight belt.
 
Dec 9, 2006
694
Oday 22 Hickory, NC
I scrubbed a small powerboat once in a wetsuit.
Jus about the most work I have ever done!
Jack
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,353
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Get a hold tight. Two big rubber suction cups with a handle. Helps a lot.

Snorkel and mask, wetsuit helps.
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,323
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Since you're not registered I can't tell whether you're in warm or cold water area... so get a full length suit.... a mask and snorkel.... fins... and if you can a weight belt, many dive stores won't sell you weights without proof of dive certification. Just be aware that the wetsuit makes you more bouyant so you will find it difficult to stay underwater. A real useful tool is a plastic handle with suction cups...this will allow you to hold yourself steady while applying pressure with your cleaning tools. I have strung a length of rope under the hull, athwartship, to pull myself down when I didn't have the handle and weights, but it was much more difficult.

Use a soft bristle brush with an extension handle, or one of those short handled winshield cleaning tools with the sponge on one side and a squeegee on the other, or a handheld rag or sponge for basic slime. Don't use anything stiffer than you absolutely need, because you'll just be scrubbing off paint too. You may need a scraper for the "crusties" but be judicious with it.

A 36 foot boat will have a fairly deep draft, making it difficult for an inexperienced diver to get down to the bottom of the keel. This is why you need the weights or rope.

My buddy in Florida has always cleaned his Island Packet 31's bottom himself. He has a tank and mask, weight belt, etc. always takes it when cruising so he can dive on the anchor.... Most times, however, he just warps his boat in close to shore in shallow water and simply walks along the bottom with his soft bristled brush. His boat has a center board, so it's draft is like 2 or 3 feet with the board up, making it very easy to get the boat close in.

That said, a 36 footer is going to be significantly more work than my 27 footer, I don't envy you, but I think it's important that everyone experience cleaning their boat's bottom at least once.
 
Jun 7, 2007
875
Pearson- 323- Mobile,Al
Cleaning my 32' boat takes about an hour with a tank and 2 hours without a tank. Fortunately most of the hull is within arms reach. The keel is the most work as you swim down scrub a little and then have to breath. It is pretty much impossible to dive with a wetsuit without a weight belt. I use about 20#s of lead. It is like trying to dive wearing a life jacket. Actually probably harder as many life jackets don't have 20#s of lift. Ideally you do this in warm clear water over a white sand bottom. Shallow water is good!!! It is probably best to start out at the bottom of the keel so that as you get tired you won't have to dive as deep. Enjoy as if you are comfortable in the water and take your time it is not a bad job.
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Bottom Paint

When I was in NY and left my dinghy in water for more than a few days depends on water temp it would get slime and than barnacles on it.
Even with bottom paint you will get slime easy to clean but if no bottom paint you will get barnacles not easy to clean.
If you leave your boat in salt water you better use bottom paint or you will have $$$$$ work cleaning,the more you use your boat the more the slime will come off,hard scrubbing will remove the bottom paint fast I use a soft sponge
here in Florida.
Your prop will need good cleaning.
Nick
 
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