Bloody hard work but worth it

codprawn · 15 October 2006, 18:55

On Tuesday we finally had the chance to put the boat up on the sand to scrub off the bottom. As you can see it was like the great barrier reef under there.

Took us 7 hrs of sheer hard work - using plastic windscreen scrapers from Hypervalue and nylon scourers. Scrubbing brushes didn't touch it.

It turned out to be great weather and it was nice to get away from it all for a few hours. We even had a free air display - big NATO excercise on - all sorts of aircraft - even an AWACS. I think they decided to use our boat as a marker point - was a bit worried - didn't want a "blue on blue"!!!

Has made a hell of a difference to the boat - was down to 25kts - back up to 41 now - should have tried a different prop but we needed every one of those 7hrs.

codprawn · 15 October 2006, 18:57

Some more - didn't get a final "after" shot because the tide was coming in fast but we did get the hull spotless!!!

Nick Hearne · 15 October 2006, 19:32

Nice work codders you old scrubber!

Biggles · 15 October 2006, 20:07

Looks like you did a good job. Who needs anti fouling !

codprawn · 15 October 2006, 20:42

I was afraid the hull would be damaged under all that crap but it was still nice and smooth!!!

limeydal · 15 October 2006, 21:30

Nice clean up job

Thought trailering my boat was sometimes a pain in the neck; but after looking at your bottom

,seems worth every minute

cheers dal

codprawn · 15 October 2006, 21:57

I was supposed to have a trailer with the boat Dal - but that's another story.....

Tim M · 15 October 2006, 22:34

I don't know how effective it is but have you considered safeboatskin or similar?

pathalla · 16 October 2006, 00:06

Cod, I would have thought you would have the latest hi- tech anti- fouling paint/coating on the old Codcraft, what gives?

codprawn · 16 October 2006, 01:06

Safeboatskin is a load of rubbish according to some people on here.

I didn't want to antifoul as I was hoping to be able to take the boat out regularly on a trailer.

I have actually been working on my own antifouliing - there was no time to apply it before but now I have put on some trial patches. it has been fine on some test plates I put in the water about 1 year ago - just wonder how well it will stand up to the high speed of a RIB - if it does I will make a fortune - I hope!!!

Limey Linda · 16 October 2006, 01:24

Codders. In the meantime I would seriously consider getting a trailer. I do not want to look at your "bottom" again like that.

Mollers · 16 October 2006, 08:08

Codders, I used to have a non-antifouled hardboat which lived in a marina berth. I always found that 6 weeks was the max amount of time one could allow between scrubs. After that the barnacles would get hold of the thing which were a nightmare. 4-6 weeks and there would only be soft green weed which would come off by pressure washing. Barnacles, by the way, leave a fine calcified ring after they've been scrubbed off. The only way I found to remove it was with 800 wet and dry.

codprawn · 16 October 2006, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Codders, I used to have a non-antifouled hardboat which lived in a marina berth. I always found that 6 weeks was the max amount of time one could allow between scrubs. After that the barnacles would get hold of the thing which were a nightmare. 4-6 weeks and there would only be soft green weed which would come off by pressure washing. Barnacles, by the way, leave a fine calcified ring after they've been scrubbed off. The only way I found to remove it was with 800 wet and dry.

I found I could remove all traces of the barnacle ring with a green nylon scouring pad - hard graft though!!!

Lostboy · 16 October 2006, 11:45

That's why mine's anti-fouled!

codprawn · 16 October 2006, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Codders. In the meantime I would seriously consider getting a trailer. I do not want to look at your "bottom" again like that.

I hope to have a trailer soon - it should have come with the boat!!!

Stuart M · 16 October 2006, 22:55

I use a hull cleaner which is some type of acid I guess - superb stuff. I can do my 5.6m Avon in 20-30mins. Possibly not very green though. I put it in a garden type sprayer and it works a treat.

codprawn · 16 October 2006, 23:11

Should have thought of that - especially with my love of chemistry. Barnacles are made from calcium carbonate so should be quite easy!!!

jyasaki · 17 October 2006, 17:54

I have used muriatic acid (ostensibly for swimming pool use) to clean up abalone shells. Takes off the encrusting stuff pretty quickly (and makes a ton of foam, so you can't see how it's progressing.) Removes encrusting coralline algae, sponges, all that kind of stuff. Funny thing is that it does nothing (or at least very little) to barnacle shells or tube worm tubes. Those have to be scraped or picked off (using a pointed steel tool of ones choosing.)

jky

Pete7 · 20 October 2006, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostboy

That's why mine's anti-fouled!

Exactly

codprawn · 20 October 2006, 11:25

Mine wasn't supposed to be on a mooring for so long - the plan was to use a trailer!!!