removing fouling

[Guest]

The hull has a good growth of weed and barnacles and no pressure wash is available. The grp has been treated with Gelshield which I am anxious not to damage. I presume I have to scrape them off but what tool would be best to remove the barnacles without damaging the hull? Any ideas?Many thanks

 

[Kevin_Fuller]

I have a wooden boat that I have the hull painted with 2-pot polyurethane paint rather than GRP with Gelshield. I regularly clean off my hull through the season to keep the barnacles ay bay.

If it's just a thin layer of barnacles & slime then a heavy duty scouring pad available from yachting chandlers is best.

If it's a heavy layer of barnacles then a wooden cooking spatula or a plastic car windscreen deicer work well, followed by the scourer.

If by chance you have brown stains on the hull often as a result of lime scale build up in a mud berth, then use toilet limescale remover, it works a treat.

Have fun!!

 

[Guest]

I agree with Kevin - a wooden spatula stolen from the kitchen removes barnacles very nicely but often leaves small disks of hard calcium carbonate on the hull which are hard to remove. This year I tried 'Starbright Boat Bottom Cleaner' which took off the remains of the barnacles and brown limescale in no time at all. The stuff is brilliant, really worth a trial.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Kevin - I think waiting for a cold windy day may also enhance the fun.
Winston - Thanks. Starbright sounds good. Where can I buy it?

 

[Guest]

I bought Starbright Boat Bottom Cleaner at my local chandlery. He told me that most major chandlers will stock it, the wholesaler who supplies it to him is 'Souwester'. I used one and a half bottles to clean up the hull of a 26 foot bilge keeler, each bottle cost about £10. If you get stuck you could try phoning Faversham Creek Chandlery on 01795 531777.
Good Luck.

 

[Guest]

Thanks