Over the last couple of years I have had several friends who own sailboats ask me about cleaning the hull and keel on their sailboats. Having never done this before I would appreciate any suggestions from someone experienced in this area. I have been a licensed diver for many years and wondered how I might be able to incorporate this hobby into a seasonal business like this. What products would be recommended and what would be an appropriate fee structure. The sailboats that I would be working with are located on a lake. Any suggestions would be appreciated because I definitely do not want to damage anyones boat!! Thanks for the help! Jeff
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How I do it...
Hello Jeff, I occasionally get hired to dive boats to clean the bottom, check the state of the zincs and thru-hulls, clean the prop, and so forth... Here's what I use. I have a 3" paint scraper (on which I rounded the edges) that will take just about any moss, barnacles, or stiff growth off with little effort. I have a pot scrubber- the synthetic steel wool with a plastic handle- that works well on stubborn soft growth, and is good for props. I use a regular scrub brush to get rid of the waterline scum. This combination of scrubbers removes 98% of the bottom growth on boats in my area, and isn't too hard on the bottom paint. I understand that people will use different tools or chemicals based on the waters they sail in; for example, I don't get the brown bow/waterline stains common to the ICW. You can also ask the boat owner what they prefer you use on their hull; they may even provide you with the tools. As for rates, I charge people around $25 per hour for my diving services, and I usually round down a little for people I know- If it takes me 1 1/2 hours, I'll usually charge $30 and a couple cold beverages. ;o) This is cheap for underwater services in my area- The pros make about $40-55 an hour. A 25 foot sailboat takes me about one hour to clean. Ask around to find out what's reasonable in your area- If everyone else on your lake is also a diver, then you probably won't be able to charge as much as you could if you were the only diver in town. Good luck! --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
Hello Jeff, I occasionally get hired to dive boats to clean the bottom, check the state of the zincs and thru-hulls, clean the prop, and so forth... Here's what I use. I have a 3" paint scraper (on which I rounded the edges) that will take just about any moss, barnacles, or stiff growth off with little effort. I have a pot scrubber- the synthetic steel wool with a plastic handle- that works well on stubborn soft growth, and is good for props. I use a regular scrub brush to get rid of the waterline scum. This combination of scrubbers removes 98% of the bottom growth on boats in my area, and isn't too hard on the bottom paint. I understand that people will use different tools or chemicals based on the waters they sail in; for example, I don't get the brown bow/waterline stains common to the ICW. You can also ask the boat owner what they prefer you use on their hull; they may even provide you with the tools. As for rates, I charge people around $25 per hour for my diving services, and I usually round down a little for people I know- If it takes me 1 1/2 hours, I'll usually charge $30 and a couple cold beverages. ;o) This is cheap for underwater services in my area- The pros make about $40-55 an hour. A 25 foot sailboat takes me about one hour to clean. Ask around to find out what's reasonable in your area- If everyone else on your lake is also a diver, then you probably won't be able to charge as much as you could if you were the only diver in town. Good luck! --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
In our harbor....
they use a very coarse scotch bright pad. There is a product that is sold at West Marine (and other marine shops too) called a dri-diver. This is the same material that they use. They have a coarse one and a fine one. The problem with these devices is the fact that you cannot really clean the keel very well. I think that they are charging $1.25/ft to scrub the bottom, keel and rudder.
they use a very coarse scotch bright pad. There is a product that is sold at West Marine (and other marine shops too) called a dri-diver. This is the same material that they use. They have a coarse one and a fine one. The problem with these devices is the fact that you cannot really clean the keel very well. I think that they are charging $1.25/ft to scrub the bottom, keel and rudder.
if the growth....
is not bad or if your cleaning a racing boat bottom you should use a small patch of shag carpet ''8 sqaure is a good size...bottom paint is soft and if the growth is not too bad you can 'dust' it off. if its a larger ,deeper keel'd boat there should'nt be as much growth towards the bottom. warmer waters you'll get tube worms and thats where the scraper and bronze wool come in.
is not bad or if your cleaning a racing boat bottom you should use a small patch of shag carpet ''8 sqaure is a good size...bottom paint is soft and if the growth is not too bad you can 'dust' it off. if its a larger ,deeper keel'd boat there should'nt be as much growth towards the bottom. warmer waters you'll get tube worms and thats where the scraper and bronze wool come in.
Plastic scraper and firm scrub brush
Wide 4" plastic scraper got everything off, less damaging to paint than steel. The firm brishes hand held brush brushed off the scum. Worked fine. But that was the old technique. The new technique involves writing a check for $50 every month.
Wide 4" plastic scraper got everything off, less damaging to paint than steel. The firm brishes hand held brush brushed off the scum. Worked fine. But that was the old technique. The new technique involves writing a check for $50 every month.
other chores
You could also offer the service of replacing zincs and retrieving items lost overboard.
You could also offer the service of replacing zincs and retrieving items lost overboard.
Anchor retrievals
The hero of the last raftup I was at (approx. 40 sailboats) was a sailor who brought along his scuba gear. The cove we were at had some nasty underbrush and cabling some 50+ feet below and some folks fought for almost 2 hours to pull up their anchors until he put on his gear and jumped in to help out. I believe his rate was a liter of rum for an anchor
The hero of the last raftup I was at (approx. 40 sailboats) was a sailor who brought along his scuba gear. The cove we were at had some nasty underbrush and cabling some 50+ feet below and some folks fought for almost 2 hours to pull up their anchors until he put on his gear and jumped in to help out. I believe his rate was a liter of rum for an anchor
I Use a Windsheild Scraper
Our career goals have changed to not ever living north of I-10 so we will never need them for anything else.
Our career goals have changed to not ever living north of I-10 so we will never need them for anything else.
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