minimum equipment required to clean boat below waterline

[RPP]

Hi All,
I am not a scuba diver. I want to clean the hull of my 42ft boat. I want to work 2 metres below the surface. I thought I could use a cylinder in the cockpit with a 10 metre hose. I have a mask, snorkel, fins and weight belt. What other equipment will I need and what size cylinder.
Thanks in anticipation.

RPP

 

[Celt]

You obviously can’t careen her as that would be the easiest option. If she’s not to dirty a stiff brush will clean her. You’ll need to get a rope or sling all around her to hold onto in order to put weight on the brush. Use standard dive gear. Work from the water line down to the keel holding on to the rope (you’ll need grommets on the rope)and then shift the rope to the next section working along the hull. Bring a hard rubber scraper (ice scraper) for barnacles.

 

[Julius SCHMIDT]

 

[Celt]

View attachment 647903

Nice one, we put a Spanish windlass on em to hold and hang the gear.

 

[lowwall]

Hi All,
I am not a scuba diver. I want to clean the hull of my 42ft boat. I want to work 2 metres below the surface. I thought I could use a cylinder in the cockpit with a 10 metre hose. I have a mask, snorkel, fins and weight belt. What other equipment will I need and what size cylinder.
Thanks in anticipation.

RPP

Trying to clear a fouled prop is one thing, but
this is a non-trivial undertaking. Frankly, I'd leave this for the pros.

As the posts above suggest, you've got to figure out a way to attach yourself to the boat. You also have to handle the long hose without entangling yourself. And there's the basic dive stuff like not holding your breath while ascending and handling mask floods while task loaded.

 

[lowwall]

what size cylinder.

If you go ahead with this, you are going to need to rent a few cylinders (or get a few refills on one) as I doubt you'll get more than 30 minutes work time per tank.

Can you even rent tanks locally without a scuba certification card? Most places won't allow it, but it's not a universal rule.

 

[Pressurehead]

Trying to clear a fouled prop is one thing, but
this is a non-trivial undertaking. Frankly, I'd leave this for the pros.

As the posts above suggest, you've got to figure out a way to attach yourself to the boat. You also have to handle the long hose without entangling yourself. And there's the basic dive stuff like not holding your breath while ascending and handling mask floods while task loaded.

What hull do you have on this vessel, timber, glass etc, type of hull,[ turn up and it's a cat or tri ] do you have anti foul on the hull , last time it was cleaned?This over the phone, I always look at it on site before a final quote. These are some of the questions I ask when I have a hull clean job .
If you clean it yourself, ask [yourself] "do I have the right tools, skills [one being basic scuba diving], time , gas, and dive gear for the job?" If it is surface supplied gas I like someone on the surface [vessel , wharf, pontoon etc ] watching.
It is not a 'jump in with a scotch pad, rub a bit and it's done', takes time, tools and planning .
Pay some that knows the job, you will not regret it.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

You can screw up bottom paint if you don’t know what you’re doing. Working inverted can be a challenge for someone with no diving or mask skills yet. Breathing compressed air even as shallow as 2 meters (and upside down) can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
I’ve scrubbed hulls for years, not an easy job.
I would consider hiring it out as it’s not that expensive.

 

[mmerriman]

View attachment 647903

that won';t stick to bottom paint.

 

[Bazzathemammoth]

Ow cert, cleaning tools, exposure protection (all skin covered) standard rec dive config (no computer or tables required). You and your gear will most likely stink afterwards so be prepared for a good clean up job on everything.

I clean the bottom of my 35ft sailboat all the time. Its not an easy job and i wouldn't reccomend it for a new diver. I reckon surface supplied air would be a real pain, but some people make it work.

Cylinder size depends on a number of things. I use between 1/2 to 1/4 of my 11.6l bottle to do my boat, more often 1/4. Its a great way to finish off partially empty cylinders.

In summer if i am cleaning often for racing season, then i will occasionally do it via snorkeling. Im normally to lazy for that though.