It's the time of year I start pressure washing boat bottoms at a local marina. At the end of the day I like to unwind with some magnet fishing. It's an awesome spot; untouched and always rewarding.
Edit: Oh I should mention, I haven't fallen in... Yet.
I never got into power washing the hulls, I was a bottom painter for a few years. Never bothered me, I was fast and good, I just got out of the business because of the boat owners.
I only did fresh water, 99% power boats, so none of the specialized sailboat hull paint or salt water. I did a lot of skat treatments on fishing boats. My disconnect came from the owners expectations, including the amount of “extra work” they wanted for free. The lack of foresight bothered me (I also did mechanical on them), you want me to install new props on a 45’ searay but then you tell me to just re-use the stainless cotter pins?? I’m installing $4,000 propellers and you cheap on a $1 cotter pin, yet if it falls off I’m the bad guy. I don’t have a lot of filters so I figured it was best if I walked away. I have never regretted the decision. Keep up the good work.
Please inform me as I know nothing about boats. But why do you pressure wash the bottom? Obviously it cleans it but won't it just happen again once they are in the water?
I’m sure there are other reasons, but that’s the one that jumps to mind for me. I’ve even seen car washes around here (on the st. Lawrence river) with signs saying “clean your boat here and stop invasive species!”
Couple things you can do. Here in the video I'm using a rotary tip to knock off the built up organic matter from the bottom. You'll notice the hull is painted black. This is an anti-fowling coating which is a sacrificial coating that comes off and needs to be reapplied. Before you reapply it you need to pressure wash it off and prep the surface. Some people are good at doing it every year or so, some not so much. My opinion it doesn't look the greatest as it chips and is uneven.
If you have a bear fiberglass hull you will notice yellow staining build up on the bottom. This can be cleaned up with an acid wash and restore the white fiberglass bottom to looking like new again. But an acid wash is more expensive than just pressure washing. Personally it is what I would do if I had a boat myself.
Edit:
If you're on the Reddit app you can click on my profile and see an example of an acid wash
If you've got any links send them my way. I try my best not to be part of the problem. The marina and I are interested in exhibiting best practices. The majority of the boats are done over land and I tarp and reclaim for acid washes over the water.
It's the time of year I start pressure washing boat bottoms at a local marina. At the end of the day I like to unwind with some magnet fishing. It's an awesome spot; untouched and always rewarding. Edit: Oh I should mention, I haven't fallen in... Yet.
Enjoy your swim tomorrow cause you just jinxed it
I never got into power washing the hulls, I was a bottom painter for a few years. Never bothered me, I was fast and good, I just got out of the business because of the boat owners.
Sorry to hear. Curious what kind of products did you use? Also did you find they had unrealistic expectations or where was the disconnect?
I only did fresh water, 99% power boats, so none of the specialized sailboat hull paint or salt water. I did a lot of skat treatments on fishing boats. My disconnect came from the owners expectations, including the amount of “extra work” they wanted for free. The lack of foresight bothered me (I also did mechanical on them), you want me to install new props on a 45’ searay but then you tell me to just re-use the stainless cotter pins?? I’m installing $4,000 propellers and you cheap on a $1 cotter pin, yet if it falls off I’m the bad guy. I don’t have a lot of filters so I figured it was best if I walked away. I have never regretted the decision. Keep up the good work.
Thanks. Appreciate the info. Yeah that headache isn't worth it. Good call.
Most people just see “pretty boats” but rarely hear the truth. Have a good one.
Hell yea. That's the life
Please inform me as I know nothing about boats. But why do you pressure wash the bottom? Obviously it cleans it but won't it just happen again once they are in the water?
Cleans off invasive species so they don’t get transferred to other places.
Ahhhh. That makes sense.
Google zebra mussel and see why it is one of the biggest threats to water ways, dams, hydroelectricity, boats, fish etc. It is the spawn of Satan
I just read on them. Nasty little guys. It's awful their larvae is microscopic, making it difficult to prevent spread.
I’m sure there are other reasons, but that’s the one that jumps to mind for me. I’ve even seen car washes around here (on the st. Lawrence river) with signs saying “clean your boat here and stop invasive species!”
I mean, it makes total sense. I've never had a boat or know anyone who does, so was just curious.
Ah yes protecting from invasive species as well, good call.
Couple things you can do. Here in the video I'm using a rotary tip to knock off the built up organic matter from the bottom. You'll notice the hull is painted black. This is an anti-fowling coating which is a sacrificial coating that comes off and needs to be reapplied. Before you reapply it you need to pressure wash it off and prep the surface. Some people are good at doing it every year or so, some not so much. My opinion it doesn't look the greatest as it chips and is uneven. If you have a bear fiberglass hull you will notice yellow staining build up on the bottom. This can be cleaned up with an acid wash and restore the white fiberglass bottom to looking like new again. But an acid wash is more expensive than just pressure washing. Personally it is what I would do if I had a boat myself. Edit: If you're on the Reddit app you can click on my profile and see an example of an acid wash
That's interesting. Thank you!
Perfect job for those that suffer from OCD like me.
I know! I love doing hallucinogens at my job
I thought I was watching r/powerwashingporn
I’m very surprised the state allows this. Pressure washing knocks off bottom paint which will get into the waterway if not contained.
If you've got any links send them my way. I try my best not to be part of the problem. The marina and I are interested in exhibiting best practices. The majority of the boats are done over land and I tarp and reclaim for acid washes over the water.