Barnacles on side of boat

[Seahope]

I just noticed that a lot of boats, mine included, at Port Solent now have a thin layer of barnacles just below the water line on the rear 5 feet of the boat. I was wondering whether to lift the boat and have the bottom cleaned or wait a few more months and have this done along with the annual engine services & anti foul renewal? Given the weather I doubt we will be taking the boat out for more than a few days this year on short runs within the Solent so economically would it be worth paying for a lift now?

 

[colingr]

If they're just below the waterline can you not get at them while in the water? Would save the cost of a lift.

 

[fergie_mac66]

garden hoe

a sharp garden hoe works wonders

 

[Seahope]

If they're just below the waterline can you not get at them while in the water? Would save the cost of a lift.

Yes, I think I could but what is the correct tool to use which is strong enough to displace them without damaging the boat?

 

[Elessar]

I just noticed that a lot of boats, mine included, at Port Solent now have a thin layer of barnacles just below the water line on the rear 5 feet of the boat. I was wondering whether to lift the boat and have the bottom cleaned or wait a few more months and have this done along with the annual engine services & anti foul renewal? Given the weather I doubt we will be taking the boat out for more than a few days this year on short runs within the Solent so economically would it be worth paying for a lift now?

barnacles have been terrible this year.

I lifted my boat 5 weeks before a CI trip (2 weeks ago). I put fresh trilux on the legs and tabs.

Consumption was up by 25 litres/hr on the trip over. I dived the boat in herm and spent over half an hour scraping hundreds of barnacles off the legs with a chisel. (Nothing on the hull as it's coppercoated) The leg scrub fixed it and the consumption went back down by 25 l/hr.

I was astonished that such a huge build up of barnacles could occur just 5 weeks after fresh antifoul.

 

[Divemaster1]

Yes, I think I could but what is the correct tool to use which is strong enough to displace them without damaging the boat?

A cheap wallpaper/paint scraper from your local DIY shop does the trick !!

Use at sharp angle against the hull and the little ...$£$%&*'s fly of with minimum effort... (can be fastened to a boat hook for extended reach)..

 

[Seahope]

A cheap wallpaper/paint scraper from your local DIY shop does the trick !!

Use at sharp angle against the hull and the little ...$£$%&*'s fly of with minimum effort... (can be fastened to a boat hook for extended reach)..

Thanks guys. I've these tools in the garage so I'll give it a go soon. The weather is starting to look better for the weekend