guys, any idea how to clean and wax the hull while the boat's in the water. I have a dock on the port side and nothing on the starboard side. My biggest challenge is reaching the area closest to the water line. Also - has anyone had good experience with orbital polishers for under $30 - are they capable of applying wax on the hull? Hauling is not an option btw till mid summer. Thanx,
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Tony, if you spin the boat you now have a...
dock on the starboard side, which is what I do. The alternative is to use the dink (if you have one) to clean the hull. A Porter Cable variable speed random orbital sander model #7336 with a round wool pad works the best for me (more than $30). I use it at moderate speed with a blend of liquid polish and liquid wax (3M I think) to clean off oxidation and black marks. It leaves a lasting shine good for two seasons. The side handle helps to control the machine's movement. I did ours two seasons ago and it still looks great. I bought my sander at the local PC Service Center for about 60% off retail. It was a lightly used like new remarketed PC certified product. Terry
dock on the starboard side, which is what I do. The alternative is to use the dink (if you have one) to clean the hull. A Porter Cable variable speed random orbital sander model #7336 with a round wool pad works the best for me (more than $30). I use it at moderate speed with a blend of liquid polish and liquid wax (3M I think) to clean off oxidation and black marks. It leaves a lasting shine good for two seasons. The side handle helps to control the machine's movement. I did ours two seasons ago and it still looks great. I bought my sander at the local PC Service Center for about 60% off retail. It was a lightly used like new remarketed PC certified product. Terry
That's how I do it
I always wax my Hunter 340 while it is in the water. I use my inflatable dingy for easier access down near the water line. I also hand wax low to the water to avoid any mishap with the electric waxer... a little extra muscle but I feel safer. Good luck.
I always wax my Hunter 340 while it is in the water. I use my inflatable dingy for easier access down near the water line. I also hand wax low to the water to avoid any mishap with the electric waxer... a little extra muscle but I feel safer. Good luck.
Water Line
You can use one of the halyards to heel the boat over while it's at the slip(use a big cleat a few boats away for leverage) Then use the dinghy to get at the waterline which is now out of the water by a foot or so...
You can use one of the halyards to heel the boat over while it's at the slip(use a big cleat a few boats away for leverage) Then use the dinghy to get at the waterline which is now out of the water by a foot or so...
Wax
I wax mine (Catalina 320)with a dink, don't use a power buffer. Hold on with one hand, wax with the other, that way I can reach all the way down to the to water line. Rather labor intensive, but works.
I wax mine (Catalina 320)with a dink, don't use a power buffer. Hold on with one hand, wax with the other, that way I can reach all the way down to the to water line. Rather labor intensive, but works.
Death Wish?
Tony, To answer the question about under $30 buffers, don 't waste your money. Also, unless you have a death wish, don't use an electric buffer period, with the boat in the water. Wash with a good grade of car wash or boat soap, and if you really feel the need to wax it, use a good grade of polish. They're a mixture of compound and wax, and clean and polish in one step. Not perfect, but better than electrocution. There are hydraulic buffers that can be rented that also do a good job. And no electricity. Runs off a gasoline engine. Larry Wilson
Tony, To answer the question about under $30 buffers, don 't waste your money. Also, unless you have a death wish, don't use an electric buffer period, with the boat in the water. Wash with a good grade of car wash or boat soap, and if you really feel the need to wax it, use a good grade of polish. They're a mixture of compound and wax, and clean and polish in one step. Not perfect, but better than electrocution. There are hydraulic buffers that can be rented that also do a good job. And no electricity. Runs off a gasoline engine. Larry Wilson
Not sound advice
"and if you really feel the need to wax it" Everybody knows the #1 reason for wax is to protect the gel coat from UV. Once that wax comes off, so does the gel coat. That white powder on the boat, that's your gel coat coming off. So the statement above seems kind of ridiculous to me. And as for using a buffer...many do it without any problem. All you have to know is stay out of the water.
"and if you really feel the need to wax it" Everybody knows the #1 reason for wax is to protect the gel coat from UV. Once that wax comes off, so does the gel coat. That white powder on the boat, that's your gel coat coming off. So the statement above seems kind of ridiculous to me. And as for using a buffer...many do it without any problem. All you have to know is stay out of the water.
suction
There are suction cups available at marine supply stores that you can stick to the side of the boat. Tie the dingy against the boat with these cups and hand wax the hull.
There are suction cups available at marine supply stores that you can stick to the side of the boat. Tie the dingy against the boat with these cups and hand wax the hull.
power tools around water....
Just make sure you connect your polisher through a ground fault interrupt type plug. You can buy one at home depot that works like an adapter... meaning you don't have to wire it into your shore power system... just plug into any socket. I use a 6 inch plolisher I bought at Sears a few years ago for $39 and it works great.
Just make sure you connect your polisher through a ground fault interrupt type plug. You can buy one at home depot that works like an adapter... meaning you don't have to wire it into your shore power system... just plug into any socket. I use a 6 inch plolisher I bought at Sears a few years ago for $39 and it works great.
power tools around water....
Just make sure you connect your polisher through a ground fault interrupt type plug. You can buy one at home depot that works like an adapter... meaning you don't have to wire it into your shore power system... just plug into any socket. I use a 6 inch plolisher I bought at Sears a few years ago for $39 and it works great.
Just make sure you connect your polisher through a ground fault interrupt type plug. You can buy one at home depot that works like an adapter... meaning you don't have to wire it into your shore power system... just plug into any socket. I use a 6 inch plolisher I bought at Sears a few years ago for $39 and it works great.
Go Cordless
If you don't want to wax by hand, buy a cordless polisher/buffer. Stay away from corded power tools and water...
If you don't want to wax by hand, buy a cordless polisher/buffer. Stay away from corded power tools and water...
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