OK, so the boat has been in the water since mid-May and the bottom of the boat is showing signs of green gunk. Aside from taking the boat out of the water for a good scrub down, I would be interested to know how others keep their hulls clean. Any suggestions???? ;-)
Bottom cleaning in the water? *o
- Thread starter Cyndy
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Go swimming
If the water is warm enough (or you have a wet suit), you can don the mask a snorkle and scrub it off with a brush. This can be an enjoyable way to spend a hot afternoon! A long handle brush with fairly stiff bristles works well. Or use a scotch brite type nylon pad and _gently_ scrub -- esp if you have ablative bottom paint. BoatUS, West Marine, etc. have a variety of systems you can use dock side. I use an extension handle, angled neck attachment and nylon scrub pad to get the slime off my boat (moored in Boston harbor). Fair winds, Tom
If the water is warm enough (or you have a wet suit), you can don the mask a snorkle and scrub it off with a brush. This can be an enjoyable way to spend a hot afternoon! A long handle brush with fairly stiff bristles works well. Or use a scotch brite type nylon pad and _gently_ scrub -- esp if you have ablative bottom paint. BoatUS, West Marine, etc. have a variety of systems you can use dock side. I use an extension handle, angled neck attachment and nylon scrub pad to get the slime off my boat (moored in Boston harbor). Fair winds, Tom
Dri-diver
Cyndy: There is a device called a Dri-diver. It is made up of a medium sized plastic platform that attaches to a couple pieces of PVC pipe that all hook together. Then they have a piece of scrubbie pad that hooks onto the platform. You just stand on the dock and scrub the bottom all the way down to the keel. It does a great job (not a good as a professional diver) but a great job non-the-less. They used to sell them at WM but I have not seen them lately. You can search the internet for one.
Cyndy: There is a device called a Dri-diver. It is made up of a medium sized plastic platform that attaches to a couple pieces of PVC pipe that all hook together. Then they have a piece of scrubbie pad that hooks onto the platform. You just stand on the dock and scrub the bottom all the way down to the keel. It does a great job (not a good as a professional diver) but a great job non-the-less. They used to sell them at WM but I have not seen them lately. You can search the internet for one.
Ditto on the Dri-Diver....
West Marine used to carry it, but I can't find it in their catalog now. Of course, it was always hard to find, they didn't list it in their index, no one in the stores know what you're talking about. Anyway, if you can find it, it's an excellent way to keep your bottom in reasonably good shape. As Steve D. says, not as good as diving on the boat, but much easier and faster for the in-between cleanings!
West Marine used to carry it, but I can't find it in their catalog now. Of course, it was always hard to find, they didn't list it in their index, no one in the stores know what you're talking about. Anyway, if you can find it, it's an excellent way to keep your bottom in reasonably good shape. As Steve D. says, not as good as diving on the boat, but much easier and faster for the in-between cleanings!
You Don't Need It, But Here it is
Just attach a small fender to one of those extendable handle brushes. The fender will want to float and will keep the bristles next to the hull. All you have to do is push and pull a little. http://www.marinestore.com/dridiver.html?cart=317213130539494
Just attach a small fender to one of those extendable handle brushes. The fender will want to float and will keep the bristles next to the hull. All you have to do is push and pull a little. http://www.marinestore.com/dridiver.html?cart=317213130539494
how often?
I've done the in-the-water scrub thing. How often should I do this during the season? Does this take the anti-fouling off? Bill on STARGAZER
I've done the in-the-water scrub thing. How often should I do this during the season? Does this take the anti-fouling off? Bill on STARGAZER
How often? It's Up to YOU
It depends on what kind of paint you have. The idea is to take off the cr*p that's growing ON the paint. Just a light touch should do it if you haven't ignored it too long. In lieu of a fender as a float, we just use an empty large soda bottle with its top screwed on, and tied to a brush with plastic cable ties. We screw this onto our extend-able brush handle, and swipe what we can reach. We have a diver do the bottom once a quarter. Hauls run every two or three years. Also depends on what you use your boat for: racers tend to get a bit more attentive to their bottoms.
Stu
It depends on what kind of paint you have. The idea is to take off the cr*p that's growing ON the paint. Just a light touch should do it if you haven't ignored it too long. In lieu of a fender as a float, we just use an empty large soda bottle with its top screwed on, and tied to a brush with plastic cable ties. We screw this onto our extend-able brush handle, and swipe what we can reach. We have a diver do the bottom once a quarter. Hauls run every two or three years. Also depends on what you use your boat for: racers tend to get a bit more attentive to their bottoms.
StuDri Diver Source
I have used a Dri Diver for years. Works Great. Here is a source. www.marinestore.com/dridiver.html -
I have used a Dri Diver for years. Works Great. Here is a source. www.marinestore.com/dridiver.html -
Dive Service
I have been using a dive service for more than 15 years. I do it once a month at a price of $1.00/foot - going rate. In my opinion it is well worth the cost. It does remove bottom paint - that is how the paint is designed to work. We do our bottom every 4 years - the last year the paint gets alittle thin in some areas and thats how you know its time to pull and paint.
I have been using a dive service for more than 15 years. I do it once a month at a price of $1.00/foot - going rate. In my opinion it is well worth the cost. It does remove bottom paint - that is how the paint is designed to work. We do our bottom every 4 years - the last year the paint gets alittle thin in some areas and thats how you know its time to pull and paint.
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