HULL CLEANING

[albion]

Hi, I pulled my boat out of Lake Erie marina on Friday, its been in the water for 6 weeks, when I got it home I tried to clean off all the weed and crap off of it by spraying with clean water and a broom, its hard work. Thje boat does NOT have bottom paint. Whats the best method you experienced sailors use to clean the boat? Will a power washer do the trick. Do you use any type of chemicals for cleaning?Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

[Randy McCotter]

Pulled my 2002 X out of the water yesterday. It was sitting in a river berth since early spring and developed a lot of "scunge" on the bottom. I used "starbrite - instant hull cleaner" and it looks good as new!! just spray it on and let it sit for about 5 min, use a dampened sponge mop then hose it off..... good as new! Don't let that stuff dry in the sun though, unless you want to spend a little more time scrubbing. I picked it up at the local Wal-mart. I've tried several different brands over the years and found this stuff to work the best. . . . . Have fun!

Randy

[albion]

Thanks randy , I will buy some Starbright.

[kziadie]

Next time, if possible do your cleaning as soon as you pull the boat.... it is MUCH easier to come off while it is still wet. Allowing it to dry really makes it difficult, even if you wet it again afterwards it is too late.

Kelly

[Frank C]

EXcept . . .

If you put it back in the water for several days, a collection of the same grunge does a good job of softening the crusty stuff. Then you can do it the easy way ... clean it fresh from the water.

[Catigale]

Ive found the alternate salt and fresh water leaves my hull clean as a whistle without intervention

You need to trailer to the Cape Albion - better yet - sail it Up Erie to Tonawanda, 5 days through the Erie Canal to Albany, down the Hudson to NYC, then wed the waters like Clinton did in 1825

Little known fact - the Erie Canal was the brainchild of a businessman in debtors jail for which the Pols took credit...little has changed...

[Terry]

I just pulled mine out Saturday morning Sept. 29, it has been sitting in salt water since July 1 without bottom paint. I was surprised to see less grunge than I was expecting, but then given the lousy sunless season we just had growth was relatively less. I used a 1600psi pressure washer to get the most of it off and once the rains let up I'll get under there and scrub the remaining film off. It does blast off easier if you get to it fast. I also use the Aurora Marine VS721 speed wax which also makes a slick bottom that creatures do not adhere to so strongly. I am not looking forward to laying on the creeper on my back and going through my ritualistic ordeal, one only has to check the archives for a complete description of my fanatacism for a clean hull.

[johnnyonspot]

I used muriatic acid last year, which worked really well, but its very corrosive and should be washed off the trailer very quickly. The paint roller I used at the end of a man-helper when I did this got a little rust on it. This year when I pull the boat out I think I will try some of that starbrite on it. I'll take some before and after pics and post them up.

[Frank C]

I tried Muratic on the dried crusty stuff and it didn't work (thoroughly).
Also tried a mild Phosphoric solution ... also didn't work thoroughly.
Slimy Grimy is an oxalic acid solution - worked very well on the fresh grunge.
Starbrite is also an oxalic acid solution.

They're all acids ... use gloves & caution.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Will a power washer do the trick. Do you use any type of chemicals for cleaning?

Im afraid of using a power washer, unless its a very low PSI because they work too well--removing sealers, sealant, decals, etc.

Anyway, Ive found using the household cleaner, "Shout" --from WalMart works well. Ive sprayed this stuff on my MacX then I used a RV long handled brush for the scrubbing. Spray on, use the brush with a little water, and then hose off--easy, fast, and inexpensive. The RV brush keeps you upright, and it makes the job much easier and able to reach all areas of the boat.
This procedure works well on my MacX.

[albion]

I used a power washer and a yard broom.+ some elbow grease and got at least 99% of the gunge off.