Hull cleaning...safely...sans diving

[BobM]

I have seen racers clean their hulls with a long handled brush. Does anyone use one as an alternative to diving?

I'd like to have something to do the waterline and to keep the prop clean mid-season, but don't feel like snorkling in 60 degree water in Boston to do it. Not looking to go crazy, but is it even worth the effort?

http://www.dridiver.com/

http://www.hullsuperscrub.com/

 

[MoonSailer]

Here is some great news. Stuff usually doesn't grow on my boat's bottom when the water is cold. As to a top side scrub .. The shape of a sailboat's bottom makes it hard and without seeing the bottom you will probably miss spots..finally if you scrub too hard you remove too uch paint at least with ablative paints.

 

[Stu Jackson]

They do a good job at and near the waterline. The real trick you can't get with one of these is the strut, prop and keel. Geometry doesn't change.

 

[RichH]

Get an aluminum extension handle ... the one with 'twist locks' and extends to about 10 ft. long. plus a BIG 'stiff' bristle brush that fits onto the extension.
Tie, screw or otherwise attach a 'float' onto the 'backside' of the bristle brush -- the 'float' will keep the brush forced onto the hull by its 'buoyancy'.

From a dinghy, push/pull the brush contraption back and forth, 'under' the flat sections.... then turn the brush head/float 180° and do the vertical sections of the hull. When 'pulling' you will see the 'crud' cloud or discolored water ... continue scrubbing until you see little to no 'crud' in the 'pull back water' and then move along the hull as needed. Two ropes tied from the dinghy to the boat with enough 'scope' to allow passage of the 'brush' between the dink and the boat will allow enough 'working room' for the brush handle ... slide the two rope along the boat as needed to reposition.

 

[capejt]

I used "Dri-Diver" for a couple years. While it does a pretty good job of cleaning, it's abear to stow. It knocks down into two pieces, but they still take up a lot of room in an already crowded lazerette.

 

[Alan]

If you don't like the water temp after August just use a wet suit. It will keep you toasty warm. Diving the bottom is the only way I know of to properly clean the bottom and appendages. It's a very good exercise (everyone needs) With a wet suit you can dive through November and still feel really warm.
An alternative to the dry diver is a towel tied at both ends. Drop the towel over the bow and move each control line to each side of the hull. Give one to a crew member and you use the other. Pull the line on alternate sides pulling the towel back and forth working your way aft. This will not clean the keel or the hull on either side of it, but it will do a fair job on the rest.

 

[Joe]

Hmmm...the don't have divers in Boston? I'd hire a diver to cover the months I didn't want to go in the water.... or, as Alan suggests, purchase a wet or dry suit. You can ask your marina office to recommend a reliable dive service. Out here they are about $1.25 per foot. How much is your time and comfort worth.

 

[BobM]

$1.25/foot? Are you sure? It is $5/foot in Boston.

 

[tomgrigsby]

I use a rig like Rich H mentioned. I also used a conduit bender and put a curve in the 12' extension handle close to the brush end so that I can get under the curve of the hull at the dock. I also put a screw into the section joint and at the brush where the handle threads in so that things don't twist etc while I'm brushing. I too use one of my little fenders as a float under the brush to push it up against the underside of the hull. I had a diver give a good scrub, and now brush once a month to keep her tidy. The prop is a problem though. I'm either going to have to pay the diver or jump in myself as I've got a vibe now that is probably barnacles. Might be able to get it with a long handled scraper, but haven't tried yet. I gained 1.5 knots at 2800 rpms after the diver cleaned up the hull, and have been able to keep the gains for 3 months with the brushings. My bottom paint is nearing the end of it's life anyway, so I haven't been too concerned about taking off too much paint.

 

[higgs]

See the thread on swimming in a marina I just posted before you jump in to scrub.

 

[RichH]

NEVER EVER swim in a marina .... to many stay currents; and, if the amperage flow from these current is sufficient (doesnt take much), .... you are TOAST. Swimming in a marina is a very very BAD idea. If you MUST swim in a marina, go to the main breaker panel and SHUT DOWN everything before you 'jump overboard'.

 

[seadaddler]

Just dove on the Prop

I just did cleaning my prop at the Marina and it made a big difference,my first summer with my boat here in Florida and let it go too long while up north.
I did attempt to take her out of the Marina last week but it would not go so just turned around and back into the slip.
I watch divers dive on many boats in my marina every week,most sailboats here have their hulls cleaned every month,I let my boat go about three months,I did dive and clean it out in the harbor before going up north.
So I did my first dive at my slip and do shut off the breakers going to the shore power before going under,I saw how bad my folding prop was so loaded
that it most likely was not opening,a knife was not doing the clean up.
I came back next day with good scraper and after cleaning I used a heavy duty sand paper to make it look good as new.
Went out yesterday and every thing worked great and will make sure I dive her every month or less with my 40 ft hose hooked up to the dive tank up on the boat,so easy and my Marina is very safe to do.
Nick