I wonder what precautions do I need to take if I'm cleaning my hull while in the water?
I purchased the boat that was a bit neglected. I will attach a photo. I am unsure what can get that clean besides hauling it out, but which due to engine issues, it's not moving at the moment, what can I use to get that off. Oxalic acid has been recommended but unsure if it will harm sea life. Even diluted. Any suggestions?
She is moored in Lake Macquarie if that helps
Most people on the lake are fine. I have never had an issue but I don't let any dust or rubbish go overboard. As for acid, what's the fuss. It will need to be well diluted before you use it, when it hits the water it will dilute much much more. It aint a forever or damaging chemical. It is found in nuts and healthy foods although eating too much can give you kidney stones. Get into it!
At most you'd use half a litre of oxalic acid or proprietary hull cleaner on the hull. I might do the yellowing stains near the waterline once a year. A half-litre of the hull cleaner will dilute into the millions of litres of lake water. I'm sure the effect on the environment is akin to copper antifoul leaching into the water.
As for engine issues and not being able to move the yacht, you could mount an outboard bracket on the stern temporarily, and when the diesel does work, then fill in the 4 holes you drilled. Not ideal to have a motor so far back, but better than not being able to manoeuvre the yacht. It's what I did.
I bought one of these a few months back.
The head is supposedly water-proof so I use it standing on the deck and dip the head in the water for scrubbing.
You could always sail it off the mooring and sail back on. Just pick the weather day to suit. Great practice.
I'd suggest sculling with a single long oar, depending on the distance to your detsination. Sculling is a useful skill.
Thanks everyone. I actually used a small amount of boat wash, vinegar and water and elbow grease with a green pad and it helped clean up the cockpit and stern. It was a bit windy on Sunday, so I wasn't comfortable spraying acid anywhere. Still stained, which I will try a little oxalic acid on it but I actually didn't mind sitting down in the cockpit after that. I should have taken before and after photos. Still have the cabin top and bow if the boat so I still can. But had to deal with so many feathers, sticks and bird poop.
I'll hold off sailing it off the mooring at the moment. The standing rigging was last done in 2011, according to receipts I found on board.so unsure if the condition. I was trying to clean the rigging so I could exam and see if there broken strands anywhere.
But I did find heaps of paperwork An original Bukh owners manual, bukh service manual, manuals for all the electronics, receipts dating back to the 90's which told me my engine is not the original Bukh but was replaced with a reconditioned DV20. The engine was last serviced in 2021, according to paperwork but had issues shortly after and has been a bit neglected.
I did think of putting a temporary engine in the back in the meantime, I'll see how I go with the Bukh over the next few weekends.
Hi Jethrow, that gadget looks worth trying. Where did you get and and what brand? Thanks.
OK Jethrow gets post of the month for that.
I reckon I could clean my whole rudder with that bad boy. How long does it extend?
Im getting one today :-) .... except its IP67 - splash proof - not sure if the motor end would be ok under water
Definitely waterproof,but may sink = sleeve with pool noodle .
oates household deck scub
