Marine Growth...

zeehag · Aug 13, 2012

i hire a diver i can trust to tell me condition of bottom of boat and equipment under water as well....does zincs and cleans and inspects.

xcyz · Aug 13, 2012

Re: Removing Marine Growth (by hand)...

I'm not sure if the two are related but cleaning the bottom or a fouled prop is no fun even if you have the dive equipment. I suspect you will hire a diver after one or two times scrubbing the bottom yourself. A tank and regulator is much more practical then what you're suggesting as $1k is alot if all you want to do is clean the prop.

Merlin Clark · Aug 13, 2012

Re: Removing Marine Growth (by hand)...

Working in bad visibility can be very tough for an inexperienced diver and moving water can push you off the job and possibly into a dangerous situation. Not to mentioned trying to perform routine tasks in a weightless (to a diver but not his/her tools!) environment can be a %**(%^.
Please have someone topside (on the dock or deck) that can call for help if things go sideways.
Might be a good idea to hire a diver and watch what he/she does and what troubles they have at your marina before trying it yourself.
I was a sport, then Navy and later a commercial diver.

Stu Jackson · Aug 13, 2012

It costs us maybe $500 a year for our quarterly diver who cleans the bottom and checks and replaces zincs. Small price to pay to get ti done right. I used to careen our old boat and do it, and sometimes would in warmer water, but not in The Bay - the water's too cold!

Tim R. · Aug 13, 2012

I do mine myself via scuba. I have always discounted the use of a hooks over scuba because scuba can be used for recreation. Although hooks works on demand and does not require a fill.

Doing the bottom is greatly enhanced with a suction handle. I hate doing it but it justifies my scuba gear, increases my experience and saves money. It is also good exercise.

Chris Burti · Aug 13, 2012

FWIW,
I am a certified and experienced SCUBA diver, but I'm also over 60 (pounds overweight and years) so... YMMV...

I wouldn't care to clean my boat's entire bottom free diving, but I do so regularly to clean my prop. I simply use a mask and a small stainless steel grill brush with a scraper on the head (does double duty as a grill brush too...go figiure). to steal a line...I am not as good as I once was, but I am as good once as I ever was... and i can get the job done in about 15 minutes.

I would caution you against doing this at the slip...stray electrical currents can be deadly and are common in marinas.

I bought a houkah rig to go on a tank, but have been too cheap to buy a tank yet.

tommays · Aug 13, 2012

I do mine 29' with a snorkel as its a good Tuesday night workout

Down this way you need a short wetsuit and a hood is a good idea as the barnacle lava are fierce and like to CLING to YOU

Witzend · Aug 13, 2012

With my wing keel, I use a strip of carpet, with 1/4" lines attached, and with a helper, give her a good back scratch. I have a brush with and elbow that provides access to the sides if the wing and rudder. Would still need to get wet for the prop though.

All U Get · Aug 13, 2012

Didn't they outlaw keelhauling?

All U Get

RichH · Aug 13, 2012

Captn Morgan - the eastern shore of the Upper Ches. is currently experiencing severe 'mahogany tides' - super slime depositing upon which the 'seed' barnacles can easily become affixed no matter what bottom paint youre using .... but you already know this. Only a strong Norther or NE-er will 'dilute' the $hi‡ water.

The importance of this message is: absolutely be SURE to wash with copious soap and water immediately after diving or swimming in this 'bloody-diarrhea colored water' or you risk severe skin rashes similar to severe viral skin infections that take upwards of 6 weeks to stop itching and to 'begin' healing. I dove to clean my bottom in early July and only now am beginning to heal. You'd think that having this happen in successive years during 'mahogany tides' that I'd get smart .... but noooooo!
Not everyone who dives or swims will 'catch' or become infected with whatever is in the water; but those who do, and there are many, do not like having something that looks and feels like total body poison ivy. If you 'break' the barnacles, it seems the higher risk of becoming infected.
These 'mahogany' (infamous 'red' or dinoflagellate) tides have been present since May, and only a switch back to stronger prevailing SW winds will clear out the 'turd muck' and mix the bottom salt water with the top layer fresh water.

Happy 'barnacle balls' on your prop !!!!! ;-)

william24424 · Aug 13, 2012

Re: Removing Marine Growth (by hand)...

I scrub bottom each week on my 33' Cal, snorkle mask, fins and a long handled scrubber, works great. Prop required something stiffer, I use putty knife, but she feathers like a bird..stings like a bee..floats like ali? anyways she's fast. If you were in my harbor, I'd clean that prop for a six-pack. Good luck.

Stu Jackson · Aug 13, 2012

If you ever need to do underwater work, a HOLD-TITE is in order: a handle with two suction cups on it, works great.

RichH · Aug 13, 2012

If you 'can' move the boat out the bay proper, the water will be slightly clearer due to the flow and mixing. Mid-shipping channel off of Worton Pt. and Still Pond where the water is 'clearer' you might be able to see for 6-12", up the creeks 2-4" is the very best you'll be able to see.

Another caution to add: be sure to wear a nose clip to prevent possible serious infection through your nasal passages and sinuses ... as mahogany tides additionally contain a LOT of very seriously-nasty protozoa and some of these can easily find a pathway from your sinuses directly into your brain. Mahogany tides are VERY toxic and should be taken VERY seriously. BTW - keep any dogs out of the water until it clears.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/hab/prorocentrum.html

capta · Aug 13, 2012

I purchased a deck snorkel and could not be happier with it. About 30' of hose powered by 12 volts dc & it's very compact to stow. Can throw it in the Zodiac for recreational diving anytime, too.
As a certified Divemaster, I could use tanks, but they are a pain on a sailboat; hard to stow securely & needing refills.
We were caught in a fuel oil spill in RI last summer and it sort of messed up the bottom paint's antifouling properties and adhesion. So at least twice a month, Nikki & I can be found scrubbing the bottom, so no wakes please.
Hopefully, the insurance company will fix it all soon.

capta · Aug 13, 2012

I forgot to mention weights. If you want to spend your time cleaning the boat & not bobbing up & down like a rolly toy, wear weights. Ideally you should have neutral boyancy, but if you are not used to the extra weight, start out with less weight & work your way up to the proper amount.
Saves a whole lot of energy for the job you are trying to do.

Bob Mc · Aug 20, 2012

I found out first hand that RichH knows what he's talking about. A week and a half ago I motored out with a friend to clean all the growth of my prop. We anchored in the mouth of Worton Creek and took turns scraping the prop clean. In the process I managed to gulp down some Bay water. It was the quickest and most violent illness I think I've ever experienced. Explosive Everything! We got back to the dock with me still hanging over the side while my body made sure there was absolutely nothing left in me. RichH met us and checked me out. He said he couldn't even find a pulse. I had hyperventilated and dropped my BP to the floor. I made it to the shade, he asked me some First Responder questions and Barb, his wife, brought me some ginger ale. So... be careful with this water and thanks again to Rich, Barb and my buddy Dave (who brought us back and buttoned her up single handed).

RECESS · Aug 20, 2012

I have been certified SCUBA for about 20 years. About a year ago a friend was singing the praises of his Brownies Third Lung. The part that rang true to me is that when you are on a cruise (he owns a sailboat too) you never have to worry about when the dive shop opens or have to haul tanks on your sailboat. They are space eaters. I purchased a Third Lung at the beginning of the summer and my only complaint is I do not get to use it often enough. I dive my boat with it and rub down the bottom with a glove. I also throw it in the dink for recreational dives. My whole family loves it. The initial cost may not warrant for just cleaning the bottom, but when you factor in how great they are for diving on a cruise with the boat, it is one of the best pieces of equipment I have bought in awhile.

fstbttms · Aug 25, 2012

Capt Morgan said:
Does anyone have experience with the above units, or other recommendations?

Yes, stay away from the very inferior and vastly overpriced Hookamax "products." This guy is simply buying cheap Chinese-made air compressors (available at any Home Dept, BTW) and adding some hose (supposedly rated breathing air hose, but I wouldn't bet on it) and a regulator and promoting them as purpose built surface supplied diving equipment. You could do the exact same thing yourself for hundreds less or spend the same and have a much better hookah rig.

If you want to buy a commercially produced hookah, my advice is to stick with the well-known and respected manufacturers, not the guy building junk units in his garage and selling them on eBay.

http://www.airlinebyjsink.com/http://www.airlinebyjsink.com/http://www.airlinebyjsink.com/

http://www.browniedive.com/surface-supplied-air

http://www.seabreathe.com/