Question about logging hull-cleans

[Dr.Clean]

Well, use one if you feel it's important. I'm just sayin' it hard to make a buck doing this work when you have to pay somebody to stand around on the dock.

Yeah. I kinda realized to have a tender I would have to do this kind of work as a 9-to-5, to actually make some money.

 

[Wookie]

So, just askin'. Are you planning to work with one of the established hull cleaning firms in your area, or are you going to hang out your shingle and compete with them. What do you know about hull cleaning? What does your toolbox look like? I use an ablative paint on my boat, it takes 8-10 hours to clean it when we haven't gotten underway for a couple of months. It's copper paint on an aluminum boat. If you scratch the paint through the primer, the paint will eat a hole in the boat. If you scrape off all of my ablative paint, you've just ruined a $10,000 paint job. If you gouge my transducers, you've just destroyed a $5,000 or a $25,000 one.

Cleaning hulls is not for the neophyte, especially if you're going to do it for a living. There are many outstanding hull cleaners on this site, many of whom will give you hints and thoughts on how to do the job without pissing off the boat owner. I'd be looking for an apprenticeship before I jumped in with both feet.

 

[Dr.Clean]

So, just askin'. Are you planning to work with one of the established hull cleaning firms in your area, or are you going to hang out your shingle and compete with them. What do you know about hull cleaning? What does your toolbox look like? I use an ablative paint on my boat, it takes 8-10 hours to clean it when we haven't gotten underway for a couple of months. It's copper paint on an aluminum boat. If you scratch the paint through the primer, the paint will eat a hole in the boat. If you scrape off all of my ablative paint, you've just ruined a $10,000 paint job. If you gouge my transducers, you've just destroyed a $5,000 or a $25,000 one.

Cleaning hulls is not for the neophyte, especially if you're going to do it for a living. There are many outstanding hull cleaners on this site, many of whom will give you hints and thoughts on how to do the job without pissing off the boat owner. I'd be looking for an apprenticeship before I jumped in with both feet.

Yeah. I'm going to try to work for a firm.

 

[fstbttms]

it takes 8-10 hours to clean it when we haven't gotten underway for a couple of months.

That's a hell of a long time to clean even a 100' boat. Why so long? In my world, I'd figure half that time, maybe.

 

[Wookie]

That's a hell of a long time to clean even a 100' boat. Why so long? In my world, I'd figure half that time, maybe.

Cause you're a pro, and I'm just a boat owner. Besides, in the off season, what else have I got to do? Besides besides, there is lots of very cool stuff to look at under the boat (frog fish, little tiny lobster, great big lobster), and the mangrove snapper are so funny as you scrape the hard points, they just know that you're feeding them.

 

[fstbttms]

Yeah, here in the Bay there ain't a whole lot to see plus it's a hell of a lot colder. Motivates you to finish the job ASAP.

 

[laguna230diver]

fstbttms (hopefully fast bottoms not fist bottoms... i would personally use vowels lol) has a ton of experience on here. Me and him differ in our methods for hull celanings, he puts his tank topside and uses brushes, I prefer to use blades and wear my tank. I wear my tank because in my work its easier to move around, and self contained. If i have multiple boats (most of the time easy to do on one tank) i can simply swim the marina. If you wear your tank be aware of it and don't bang around your tank knob. IF USED CORRECTLY drywall blades/6-in-1 tools are safe and preserve paint. With experience you will learn where they are and aren't appropriate. I occasionally use a brush but only on boats with a lot of compound curves or bumps. I've owned my own dive outfit in the myrtle beach area now for a year and have paid my dues with getting into the industry. All in all these companies can be easy to start WITH the right personality and competition. If you have a large supply of boats (marinas) ask the marinas if they have REGULAR dive service performed on the boats. Be ready for a WIDE degree of tolerance with you. You will be veiwed at first as a solicitor. MAKE BUDDIES! FOLLOW RULES! DON"T STEP ON TOES! I have had only one diver in my area even have a bad attitude with me. Good luck to you in your area, and know that its a cut-throat industry in most places. Boaters don't often change their hull cleaner, so BE AVAILABLE and present in your gear!

good luck to you and let me know if you have any questions... btw i wouldn't log hull cleanings, but your company will have invoices to recount you work should you get PAID!! Keep records of epoxy work and different brands of things you service though.

 

[fstbttms]

Just a couple quick corrections:

1.- I do not use tanks. I use an electric hookah.
2.- I do not use brushes. I use Doodlebug pads.

While Laguna and I do disagree on the use of scrapers as an everyday hull cleaning tool he is absolutely right in his description of the attitude you should go in with. I have known harbormasters to actually go around their marina's bulletin boards and pull down certain diver's business cards because those divers either displayed a poor attitude towards them or violated marina rules while plying their trade. Harbor staff can be a great resource for new clients. It pays to get (and stay) on their good side.

BTW- I'm sure it's just a coincedence that Laguna changed the name of his company to "FST Diving".

 

[hullscrubber]

Don't forget, with the holidays coming up, a bottle of something for the dockmaster goes a long way...

 

[laguna230diver]

fst stands for fully submersible technicians fstbottms lol

fstbottms do you ever use tanks if you have a remote client? One of my regulars is a 220ft casino cat.... better have a LONG hose lol