Scuba dive hull scrub - any experience

[DavidJ]

I am a qualified scuba diver and with all the chat about hull scrubbing I though it might be useful, cheap (and maybe fun?) to combine the two. I've got a 37 footer in the Med so the water will be clear and the there won't be an excessive amount of crap to scrub. Also the mooring is quite deep so I won't be able to stand on the bottom and do it.
Any experience/forseen problems??
David

 

[DepSol]

I always manage to do my 26 footer with a mask and flippers using a nylon scrubbing brush or my hand as most of the time it just brushes off with ease. I use Micron Optima anti fouling.

Use it as an exercise to increase my lung capacity by breathing correctly which enables me to hold my breath longer when diving down 25 feet to look for stuff on the sea bed.

Dom

I am boating again ;-)

 

[duncan]

you really need to be able to apply some pressure on the brush - either standing on the bottom significantly under boyant or upside down kneeling on the hull over boyant.

Former is recomended every time - take the boat out of the berth and anchor in 8 feet of water over nice sandy bottom.

 

[longjohnsilver]

i agree with Dom, I've tried all ways many times in the past and always find snorkelling the easiest (?!) method. I would suggest not anchoring as you want some flow of water past the boat to take away the crap, unless of course where you are you already have some current.

 

[duncan]

absolutley on the current - on the south coast you tend to get that at anchor in most places!

 

[syd]

Hiya David,
Scrubbed quite a few bottoms myself, mainly in the murk of the Thames not the luxury of the Med. My method is to tie a rope on a cleat or stanchion on the starboard side, run it under the hull and back up to a cleat or stanchion on the port side tying it tight enough so I can just get my hand between it and the hull. This gives me my leverage or anchor. I put on extra weights so my body stays vertical, this seems to help me cover a bigger area with my scrubbing brush using the full reach of both arms. I start from the bow and move the rope further back as I finish each section. Make sure you wear gloves, the barnacles can be razour sharp.
Cheers now.
Syd

 

[ArthurWood]

It's a big business here in Florida, though it must be hard work. Costs me $55 for my 37 ft-er.

 

[RobertMartin]

I have done my 38 foot yacht a few times.

1. leave the tank on deck and buy a long hose to use between reg and tank, no tank on your back, so much easier. You will have to adjust your weights, but its great.

2. Go to a paint shop and buy a big plastic scraper, biggest you can find. With that for barnicles and the brush for slime, you will be finished within an hour.

3. I just inflate my BCD so that I am slightly pushed against the hull, have cleaned my boat in 50m with no ropes, has been fine. Might try the rope idea. Seems good.

Its great fun, I even look foward to doing mine these days..

Bobby aka Seawolf..
Freedom is the song of your soul..

 

[DavidJ]

Thanks Chaps

Thanks to Dom, Duncan, John, Syd, Arthur and Robert for some great ideas. I actually feel inspired now to have a go. I'm out there next on Sept 11th (no significance other than flights are cheap that day)
David