I'm out of touch - advice please

pheran

pheran

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We've spent the best part of the past decade exploring the European waterways, keeping our boat in Holland but with forays into Belgium and France and living on board for up to six months a year.

But we came back last year, downsized significantly to a boat more suitable for the Thames and are looking forward to our first full season on the river. In preparing for that, there are a couple of very basic questions I need answers to

1) What is the antifouling of choice for the Thames these days? Presumably still a hard scrubable but which one? And where to buy ie where are the bargain prices?

2) After years of steel, we are now back to a GRP boat. I hope to get someone to give it a polish but which product to use? I used to be fairly impressed with Farecla but what do others use?


Thanks in advance.
 
An idlers guide to boat cleaning.

Ahem,at the extreme budget end of the spectrum can recommend "Silky".A tub of white creamy goo priced at about £6.00 available from your local caravan/camping outlet. You rub it on in a carefree sort of way all over boat and allow to dry.
It recommends that when dry you then polish it off, but I remove with a mop/bucket of water liberally laced with some good quality liquid car shampoo,it is much less effort.Then rinse with freshwater.Very useful for the odd spot clean up to get rid off fender marks and minor "lock rash"
Normally do it twice a year or whenever the muck gets to offensive the eye.It is available at some chandlers but poss.tucked away at the back and nowhere near the front shelf £50 quid a weeny bottle polishes.:)

http://www.silkyproducts.co.uk/Cata...id=184&name=Silky Cream Cleaner&cat=-1&cnode=
 
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pheran said:
1) What is the antifouling of choice for the Thames these days? Presumably still a hard scrubable but which one? And where to buy ie where are the bargain prices?

2) After years of steel, we are now back to a GRP boat. I hope to get someone to give it a polish but which product to use? I used to be fairly impressed with Farecla but what do others use?
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Not sure antifoul is actually much good on the freshwater Thames anyway and a pressure wash twice a year is probably money better spent. However, Blakes Cruiser or an equivalent is probably as good as any - do a Google for online prices.

As far as polishing goes, I decided to get someone to do it for me with the new Hardy and called in The Boat Cleaning Company. Tony cleaned and waxed the topsides before we dropped her in at Penton and we are just waiting for the weather to improve a little before he does the superstructure.
Proper job, pressure wash, clean and final wax with stuff that makes moisture just bead and run off. Hull looks great. Total cost for my 27 footer will be under £300 and I don't ache a bit !
 
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boatone said:
Total cost for my 27 footer will be under £300 and I don't ache a bit !
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Tony behave, Chris would rather grow grass on all flat areas and Bitumen the sides than spend that amount on cleaning. Apart from anything else he would have to go without his Whiskey for about 10 days if he spent that.

My advice to you Chris is use psychology to get the boat cleaned. Tell Ann that she is up for Boat Housewife of the Year. The only thing standing between her and this prestigious award is a grubby boat. Other ploys can be used let your imagination run riot.
 
byron said:
My advice to you Chris is use psychology to get the boat cleaned. Tell Ann that she is up for Boat Housewife of the Year. The only thing standing between her and this prestigious award is a grubby boat. Other ploys can be used let your imagination run riot.
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I stand in awe of you Guv'nor. With strategies like that, I can well see how you got to be where you are today. :)

On the question of whisky, I cracked it this year. Went out and bought 30 litres of the weekday stuff when the supermarkets had their pre-Christmas offers on and saved £10 a litre. Then, Glory Be, Morrisons started doing certain single malts at £15 off - so I had some of them too. Pity you don't drink whisky Byron!
 
It is now obvious, Chris, that your original enquiry and request for assistance was not really uttered with serious intent.

This is rather distressing, given the care and attention I lavished on my considered response in a genuine effort to be of service.

I was about to submit my membership application form for ODCC ........
 
boatone said:
It is now obvious, Chris, that your original enquiry and request for assistance was not really uttered with serious intent.

This is rather distressing, given the care and attention I lavished on my considered response in a genuine effort to be of service.

I was about to submit my membership application form for ODCC ........
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Not at all Tony - your input was most welcome. Don't be deceived by Byron's talk of my parsimony. I'm not at all as mean as he makes out. Well, I suppose I am really 'cos antifouling will work out so much cheaper than a twice a year lift-out and wash off! :) So Blakes it is then.

About the ODCC - are you really sure about joining a Club that tolerates me as a member? Gorn, you know you want to. The best little Club on the river.
 
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