Bottom cleaning, can I do it myself?

[jassprag]

Best not to beach a Hunter 22 It would probably destroy the keel. Boat is heavy and keel extends below hull.

 

[Squadron]

Yeah, the boat has a swing keel so I'm a bit nervous about how sturdy that thing is. I'd rather not beach it. I've got good fins and using them to keep me steady in current would be excellent practice anyway... besides I could use a bit of a workout!

Sounds like the best idea would be to get the boat out into shallow water (not too shallow) and anchor it, then extend a few lines to hold onto while I'm in the water getting ready and all, and just keep a steady supply of scotchbrite pads and whatnot. Also, beer.

 

[fstbttms]

What anti fouling paint do you have on the bottom?

 

[dscribner]

Squadron,

Swing keel? Swing it up and bring her into 4'-0 water. Then you can scrub away, and stand up to swill some beer. And, when the beer has its way with you, just pee. Wait a minute before going back in though.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Does a hunter 22 have a fixed keel? What does she draw. Have you thoughr of careening the boat.. or just drag her into shallow water where you can wade around one side, thenthe other, and clean with a deck brush.

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I'm with you Joe, that's the way I like to do it. The Mrs can set in the cockpit, music playing, and hand down a cold libation when the job is done.

 

[s sauer]

I've been bottom scrubbing our 5' draft 28.5 since 1986. I find a steep sloped beach and set an anchor about 75 feet off the beach, back down on it and then swim a line to shore opposite the anchor. By positioning the anchoe line amidships on port and the shore side line amidships on starboard, I can winch her in till she touches bottom and stand along side to scrub 70%, diving only to do the deepest part of the hull and the keel, Then I reposition the lines to swing the boat 180 degrees and do the other side.
I use a dive mask and a course grill scrubbing pad on the hard vinyl racing paint and a metal scraper on any barnacles on the prop and shaft. It takes about an hour and is good exercise. No need for dive gear and no desire to stand in the muck of a marina.

 

[zeehag]

have a spotter and a couple six paks of beer ready and cold-- hang onto deadman lines tight and be in shallow waer-- ye will have fun until ye3 tire -- then ye drink the beer and sleep-- shower first. before the second beer..LOL