Bottom Paint - TC255

thataway · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject:

Shucks I thought you were cleaning the hull each time you dove. When we were sailboat racing, the bottom got a good cleaning (and sometimes wet sanding with 1200) every week.

mailbox101 · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:44 am Post subject:

When I was looking at TomCats, Bill at the Outboard Motor Shop in Oakland, CA stated that they have a TomCat trailer in order to work on the motors of customers that own a TomCat, but not the trailers. It might be worth inquiring of the C-Dory dealer in your area to see if they have a similar setup, and if so, perhaps you could work a deal for a time that they aren't using it. Best of luck.

David

matt_unique · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:04 am Post subject: Cleaning

Ha ha - yeah well you would think with my diving I would be cleaning the hull more often! Yesterday was a wake up call to pay closer attention and give it a rub down more often.

I have my own trailer for the Tomcat but no convenient means of a high pressure wash-down for example. My last boat was small enough such that I could literally pull the whole thing into a self-service car wash and clean the hull several times a season. The top of my Tomcat measures 13' on the trailer so it will not fit into the car wash bay Wink

At the end of the season I will be renting a power wash from Home Depot to clean it off good at the house. Bob - I recall you said Marie did not appreciate what your power washing did for the lawn (he he) so I will learn from that lesson and do it at the end of the driveway.

It is amazing how much this junk affects performance. At 3400 rpm I get 22 knots and she was steady at 20 knots yesterday at the same rpm. I knew something was going on and voila. I was thinking of using a bunch of sponges...any other suggestions as to what I should use to clean her off? There are a few barnacles that will require something firm.

I use the boat every week, 815 nautical miles and 79 engine hours so far this season. I guess I did not notice a little 'foundation' growth then over the last week or so it just went nuts down there. Anyway - will be ship shape by the time I'm done next weekend.

thataway · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

We have a 10 hp 2500 PSI gasoline driven power washer for the big jobs, but recently purchased a relitaively cheap electric 1700 PSI lower flow washer for the boat small jobs. We find that this will clean off the growth of the bottom--and with some soap, and turned down, it works fine on the decks of the boats. (I don't like the high power washers on the glass). We had used a 3500 PSI large volume washer at one of the haul out yards and it took the bottom paint off nicely!

matt_unique · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject: Tools

What tools would you suggest for a cleaning of the hull via scuba? Perhaps a blunt plastic scraper to carefully remove anything stiff and a sponge for the rest?

I know a super high power washing can removing everything. I make sure to use a lower power to remove the sweater but keep the paint.

Thanks for the suggestions.

thataway · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject:

We use a green 3 m plastic scrub pad for the majority of bottom cleaning. If it is really bad we have used the coarser black pads. If there are barnicles, then a putty knife is a good tool.