Jet Washer

[Guest]

I have just been reading the destruction book to my 2001 yacht to find that it advises against using Jet washers on any part of the hull.
I was about to slip and wash off light fouling.
Does anybody know the problem/risk to the hull in using a high pressure wash?

 

[billskip]

Water is very powerful and when under pressure and concentrated on a small area it can "cut into" the material ..It is very easy to do damage with pressure washers

Bill
www.aegeansailing.co.uk

 

[gus]

If your hull cannot stand up to the force of water from a pressure washer, then I wouldn't be going out in it. If a pressure washer is going to damage it then just imagine what the sea might do! As long as there are no 'loose' bits there should be no problem. Best to ask someone who does pressure wash their boat and the answer will probably be the same.

 

[Guest]

I am aware that water jets are used to cut very hard materials ( stone/steel/etc) but I was really wondering if there was a greater risk of moisture getting into the gelcoat causing osmosis?

 

[rogerroger]

It's what the boat yards use isn't when they haul out boats at season end ?

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[billskip]

Im not saying dont use it..... Im saying there powerful and can do damage..even the instructions Doug has advises caution..some people think just because he /she is doing this/that it must be ok..sorry i spoke..

Bill
www.aegeansailing.co.uk

 

[claymore]

I don't think you can compare jet washers with the action of the sea as was suggested in one of the posts. I think you are quite right Bill in that if you stay in one place too long with a jet washer you can do some damage - I took some paint off my car the first time I had a go and I've eroded a small hole in one of the flags in the back yard (just experimenting!) Boat yards do use them and I think that as long as you keep the nozzle adjusted to a fan spray rather than a single point and keep moving, they are probably OK. Perhaps the manufacturer was just trying to offer cautionary advice and save himself from potential litigation? I use mine on the bits that are antifouled, not on the hull above the waterline and it does a good job because it blasts off anything loose and saves me rubbing down. I have also been operating under the notion - correctly or not, that I wouldn't do much damage as the jet is on the antifoul not onto the gelcoat.
regards
JohnS

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

Doug,
New boat 2001 nice. If the manufacture recommends do not use a jet wash then perhaps there has been an incident of damage. I have found that mains water pressure works ok so have never been tempted to use the clubs washer which even has the capability of producing steam. Clearly you would be taking a risk if going against the maufacturers destruction manual.
If you do, don't stand to close to the hull as I suspect holding the nossle inches away from the hull could cause problems.
PS Welcome back to Roger in one piece I hope.
Trevor.

 

[tomg]

My instruction book also makes the same point. The boatyard told me (before it went bust - Trident Marine) it was to guard against damage that could be caused by a very powerful jetwash being used very close to the gelcoat especially in the early months of its life. The gelcoat continues to harden for a considerable time after moulding.

 

[robp]

The yards certainly use them. I think the answer is to excercise care with the jet adjustment and to use as great a distance and as shallow an angle as you can, commensurate with getting the slime off.

Bill is right however, they can be vicious and you should heed the other warning about new gelcoat.

 

[Strathglass]

As many people are saying be very careful. I have been able to cause damage on a heavy piece of mahogany when trying very close with a fine jet of water very close.
It would be possible to damage the gel coat on virtually any boat with an industrial pressure by incorrect use. It is not the volume of water which does the damage it is the pressure /area (psi ) increase as the jet diameter is reduced with still the same volume of water.
They are very usefull tools if they are used carefully. Use a fan shaped nozzle and just enough pressure to do the task. Do not just increase pressure and reduce jet size if you come up against a stuborn mark because that is when you can cause damage.
Iain

 

[ccscott49]

Just be careful with it, incidently, the jet cutting water systems, use an abrasive in the water, and blast through a ceramic nozzle. I use a presure washer and have never had problems, but as I've said be careful and dont get too close.

 

[johnt]

considering the damage a stiff bristle brush can do to gelcoat !...........Ill go with a 12 bar washer every time!

and 12 bar wont even take all the old antifouling off!

 

[Avocet]

I did mine this season with a really cheap (£30) "Kinzo" pressure washer. They can only do real damamge when you get a bit one that can manage a very high pressure AND a large flow rate. Mine didn't even take the old anti-fouling off except in a few places where it wasn't keyed properly. I was willing to try because the boat is epoxied anyway but I guess that if you have a small washer and don't use the concentrated jet at "point blank" range there won't be a problem.