Scrubbing Boat Hulls ?

[flyinghuntster]

What are some typical tools and/or Techniques needed for easy-er cleaning boat hulls? That is the going rate per foot? On a boat that isn't all that bad how long would it take to clean?
More work than it is worth? Possible dangers? I read a thread on possible shock and death from bad grounds. How might you check for something like that?

 

[jbd]

I have seen a catalog that had hydraulically operated equipment for boat cleaning. Its been some years ago though and I don't recall the name of the company.

 

[Divemastr]

No idea about the $$, but I have heard of at least on instance where a Baracuda passing by, took a real interrest in that flashy thing (scraping knife) that the diver used to manually clean the bottom of the boat while in the water. Mangled the diver's hand pretty badly. Also rad a story about a diver getting a large fishing hook in their hand and not having the proper equipment to cut the metal and get free. Ended up having to rip the hook out just before running out of air at 6 ft of water..

 

[Don Burke]

What are some typical tools and/or Techniques needed for easy-er cleaning boat hulls?

My single handiest tool was a 3M stripper from Wal-Mart. A pole scraper from a paint store will let you scrape metal props, shafts and rudders. Kevlar gloves are a must and you will go through some of them.

An efficient pattern will let you get quite a bit done without a whole lot of effort.

That is the going rate per foot?

I worked through a shop to get the liability coverage. It was $3.00 for a nasty boat, $2.00 for a lightly fouled boat, and $1.50 for a biweekly boat.

On a boat that isn't all that bad how long would it take to clean?

I usually got through in less than 30 minutes. Very often it was more like 20.

More work than it is worth?

If you can hit a couple of boats in one marina, it is normally a good deal. Getting hooked up with sailboat racers is probably your best route. Knocking stuff bigger than your head off a boat is not what you are looking for. Learn your way around running gear so you can do zinc work.

Possible dangers?

The question is not if you are going to get entangled. The question is how often you will get entangled and in what. I carried a line cutter, trauma shears, and a knife. I used the line cutter often and once had to use the trauma shears. I used a very spartan regulator rig to avoid tangles.

The water is rarely pristine, so keep your shots up to date.

I read a thread on possible shock and death from bad grounds. How might you check for something like that?

I just looked at the breakers to see if they were GFCI. They either were or the boat was not on shore power while I was in the water. It is pretty obvious from the running gear if there is electrical leakage.

 

[mike_s]

What are some typical tools and/or Techniques needed for easy-er cleaning boat hulls? That is the going rate per foot? On a boat that isn't all that bad how long would it take to clean?
More work than it is worth? Possible dangers? I read a thread on possible shock and death from bad grounds. How might you check for something like that?

I wrote something in another post about electrical shocks.... The reason I warned about it was because in a marina near me a diver was electrocuted last year. Someone else I know did a recovery dive of a boat prop there last year and he cut power to the dock at the main breaker and put a padlock on it. The padlock was because some boating redneck would have noticed his power was off and gone back up and turned the main power cut off back on.'

GFCI's aren't the only problem as most marinas are "wired" by redneck standards and don't met code. I've been in several marinas and tested the circuits before plugging up shore power into them to find that hot and netrual were "swapped". While basic appliances will work this way, GFCI's won't trip properly this way and it will also burn out "fancy" electronics.

Boat sewage in a marina is another concern. Though it's against the law, lots of boats sill discharge sewage overboard. You'll be swimming in someone elses **** and getting it in your ears, etc.

wires, fishing line, overhead floating docs, etc are also problems to worry about. If you surface and don't come up at the exact same spot, you might surface and hit a boat hull, floating dock, boat propeller, etc., all of which can lead to a nasty cut on your head.


Now cleaning hulls out of a marina in a private boat slip or in a calm flat area of water might be both easier and safer.


How can you test for dangers? not really an easy way as electricity acts differently in water. It could be safe in one spot and dangerous in another.
As for testing for sewage, take a water sample to a local lab and expect to pay about $50 bucks for the test. After you get the results, trust me, you won't want to dive in that water. You wouldn't even want to use it to water your lawn.

If you want to experience electrocution, try pee'ing on an electric fence in a cow pasture. You'll be scared of them for life after that.

 

[Tobagoman]

Back when I had my company "Bottom Busters" I was charging $2.50 a foot no matter hull condition. For the racing sailboats that just needed a wipedown this was a breeze for the price, some of the old cruisers that were heavily barnicaled I cursed every minute I was down for not doubling the price.

The worse times were being out in the water for a couple of hours when its snowing and the water is near freezing.

My best piece of equipment were a set of suction cups that are used to lift the flooring in raised floor computer spaces. Held me tight to the haul. If not using them, then I would run a line down around the bottom of the boat to hold onto.

Never had any close calls except for the multitude of barnicle critters that would be squirmin' all over you.

 

[DavidPT40]

Lets not forget the e.coli hazard. Diving near a marina is about the same as diving in your own toilet.

 

[MikeC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't OSHA and their rulebook get involved when you start diving for money??

Things like surface tenders and other fun things...

 

[pipedope]

Yes, cleaning boat hulls for money is commercial diving.
Yes, OSHA requires full commercial standards for this work.

No, I have NEVER seen any small boat cleaning operation being done to commercial standards.

This is one of those areas where I think there needs to be a 'commercial light' standard. To do this work safely does require proper equipment setup and knowledge but really doesn't need as much as most of the heavier commercial work.

Now if you want to get into cleaning big ships then you are really back into full on commercial diving. These guys use hydraulic sleds with large brushes or barnicle cutters.

For small boats I like to try with a bit of old carpet first. This will take off slime and grass. Next is 3m pad. I scrape with a wood block, square on one end and tapered on the other. The wood will not dig in and damage the hull. Metal scrapers are used only on metal parts or with EXTREEM care.

Want to have fun?
Clean the bottom of a WetSnail 32 just back from Mexico on breath hold.

Most of my bottom cleaning I have done with a scuba tank on the dock or in a boat with a 50' or 100' hose on the second stage, wet suit and no weight. By being positive I can work against the hull and move easily.

I strongly suggest at least having a tender who can tell if you are in trouble and can help.