Not long ago, I was in the hospital for 2 months and my small flats boat was
parked in brackish water the whole time in south Florida. Since then I've
moved to Illinois bringing the boat and the bottom COVERED with barnacles.
Can anyone give a clue on what I can get locally to remove them from a
fiberglass hull. Marine stores are non-existant here and I'm not sure if a
boat repair shop would have any experience with barnacles in central
Illinois.

Thanls

Get yourself one of those edging tools that looks like a garden hoe
without the bend. Basically, its big putty knife looking thing with a
long handle. It allows a lot of momentum to scrape them. You will
also find it useful for removing the barnacles that form around your
waterline and you can scrape them while the boat is in the water.
Often, you can even use it to reach your prop removing fouling while
you lie on the dock.

The answer about removing them while in the water {when they are still
'soft'} was probably the best . . . for the bodies & large growth.

However, 'wet' or 'dry' you still have a potential problem {depending on
YOUR sensibilities}.The barnacle attaches it self with a secretion that
hardens into something that seems as hard as epoxy. Even when the animal
itself is scraped off, this 'ring' or 'button' remains.

I'd try a good 'Pressure Washing'. NOT the 'top of the line' pressure - THAT
can etch concrete. After the hull is washed & dried {although you will still
see the 'bases', you should be able to either apply colored bottom paint
{more for cosmetic / slime reasons in fresh water}or some sort of anti-slime
wax product.

However, IF you can't stand the look or 'feel' of the barnacle 'residue' . .
.. try a light 'sandblasting' with a less aggressive media like Walnut
Shells. You'll then have to apply a few coats of an epoxy 'barrier coat'
{But then I do that anyway}before any 'finish' is applied.

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

"mgarvie" wrote in message
news:tLByf.732581$xm3.166090@attbi_s21...
Not long ago, I was in the hospital for 2 months and my small flats boat
was
parked in brackish water the whole time in south Florida. Since then I've
moved to Illinois bringing the boat and the bottom COVERED with barnacles.
Can anyone give a clue on what I can get locally to remove them from a
fiberglass hull. Marine stores are non-existant here and I'm not sure if
a
boat repair shop would have any experience with barnacles in central
Illinois.

Thanls

Roll the boat up on edge, remove the bulk of the beasties with a scraper,
then get some coarse sandpaper as in 40 grit and have at it. A belt sander
will work if you are skilled otherwise stick to a vibrator. Don't even
think of using a disk sander. Random orbital probably won't work well with
really coarse paper.
Dave

Won't that really mess up the bottom of a fiberglass boat? Not that it's in
the best shape after all the
coconuts and lawn chairs I've hit. Wouldn't there be
some kind of acid based product that will remove them?




"Dave W" wrote in message
...
Roll the boat up on edge, remove the bulk of the beasties with a scraper,
then get some coarse sandpaper as in 40 grit and have at it. A belt
sander will work if you are skilled otherwise stick to a vibrator. Don't
even think of using a disk sander. Random orbital probably won't work
well with really coarse paper.
Dave

.......otherwise stick to a vibrator.????

mgarvie wrote:
Won't that really mess up the bottom of a fiberglass boat? Not that it's in
the best shape after all the
coconuts and lawn chairs I've hit. Wouldn't there be
some kind of acid based product that will remove them?

Scrape off what you can , then try muraitic acid. Sno-bowl toilet
cleaner might work also. Rubber gloves are essential, don't breathe the
fumes. Sam