Any Tips For A Would-be Sailboat-bottom Cleaner?

[nolatom]

I've worked around sailboats all my life, but didn't know scuba back then.

Now a friend has a nice 34-footer on which I want to do "boat jobs" in friendly exchange for a cruise or two down here in the Redneck Riviera, aka Mississippi Sound, a fun venue with casinos on one side and barrier island National Seashores on the other side.

Job one is sanding and varnishing the teak brightwork, I'm in progress on that. But when the Lake (Pontchartrain) warms up, I'd like to scrub the bottom on this 5'-draft full-keel boat, in the slip.

I've looked at this useful video:

And notice he uses a handheld suction cup for leverage to keep him "in" while pushing on the scrubbrush.
Where to get one? and any other tools, or tips? I'll rent an 80 and use my gear, will have someone on deck of course. I've done a marina eyeglasses recovery, so I at least know what muck diving "looks" (meaning blackout) and feels like.

Is is useful to run lines along/under the hull for grip and leverage? If so, fore/aft, or athwartships? Or is the suction cup enough?

Yeah, I'm a babe in the woods here, but a cautious diver so am asking for wise guidance. This bottom job may rate another cruise... ;-)

 

[gchilcott]

I dove my own boat and a lot of others for a while, including hard jobs removing barnacles down to just getting the slime off of race boats. I never bothered with a suction cup or lines and seemed to do just fine without. I'd suggest just hopping in and seeing how it goes before spending time rigging up anything complicated. I liked to have the following things sitting on the dock within reach:

2-3 terry towels
big sponge
green scotchbright
red scotchbright
plastic scraper with a big handle
metal scraper with a big handle (e.g. ~4" wide stiff putty knife)
standard table knife (not sharp)
med size flat blade screw driver

Between all those tools you'll likely figure out an easy way to remove every type of critter, crust or crud efficiently. Go with the gentlest tool that will work so that you don't remove any more bottom paint than necessary.

I could always get through a slimy (i.e. no scraping required) 50-foot race boat on one AL80. Crusing boats were usually more work. If the boat hasn't been cleaned in a long time, it's not a bad idea to allow for some time to work on the prop, shaft and probably a zinc replacement. I'd usually bring an extra tank along for those in case I couldn't get it done on one.

 

[cneal]

It's been 45 years since I cleaned bottoms. I used a line run under the boat for one hand and a sponge or brush in the other. Halfway through the winter one of the boat owners loaned me a scuba tank. Couldn't really call it diving as he didn't give me any weights.

If you want to know the value of cleaning the bottom, check on the cost of hauling the boat out and having it cleaned. If the boat is to big for a trailer it take a big crane and it isn't cheap.

 

[nolatom]

Thanks to both of you.

Yeah, haul outs aren't cheap, that's why I think it may be "worth" my possible 2017 cruise, while the brightwork renewal is to justify this year's cruise in maybe September. they would probably just lend it to me but I feel better "earning my keep".

Not long ago, my scuba gear paid off in finding my lost-overboard glasses, which weren't cheap. So if I can be a passable bottom-cleaner, it'll do the same, plus it's a favor to these nice folks.

Oh, and it'll give me more speed in September ;-)

 

[DennisS]

Run a loop of line through the handle of your scraper and put it around your wrist. It keeps you from losing it and makes it easier to move around when you need both hands

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

In lieu of a suction cup you can run a line (or two lines) under the boat. What I used to do was tie in to the front cleat, starboard side, run the line around the port side of the keel, and tie it in to the rear cleat, starboard side ... and another line in the reverse direction. That gives you access to pretty much the entire bottom with your scrub brush while you hold on to the line with your other hand. Dock lines usually work pretty well for this ... or for big boats, use a spare sheet ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Fishspearit]

The suction cup is only necessary IMO when you are diving the bottom in an area with current. Good gloves and a hood are vital. Be sure to use ear drops, at least a vinegar/alcohol mix after getting out even with the hood, lots of critters stirred up to get in your ears.

 

[fstbttms]

I've looked at this useful video:

You're welcome.

 

[CT-Rich]

I used a vinyl brush back when I was doing it. The hood is vital as every critter you knock off the hull is going to cling mightily to the next available surface (you). if you have a beard, get rid of it (the wriggly things in the beard were even worse than the ones in the hair.

I would just use a brush, most of the stuff comes off pretty easily, depending on the type of surface preparation and how long its been sitting in the water. If the boat has bottom paint, it may com right off if the paint was applied recently. Scrub too hard and the paint comes off and the organisms come back with even more resolve.

 

[fstbttms]

I used a vinyl brush back when I was doing it.

Welcome to the future of in-water hull cleaning: