Hull cleaning
 

I have a cruiser that I leave in the water in the summer and since I don't
have a lift yet, you can imagine the amount of alge that grows on it. We
live on a lake that the surface temperature is 85 right now. How is the best
way to clean the hull on it? I've tried putting muratic acid on it but it
does not seem to cut the crud.

JV,

First eleminate as much weight as possible from the boat and take it for a
run at WOT for a few minutes. This will hopefully remove some growth.

Rent a high output pressure washer unless you have one available. First
clean the hull as much as possible using just water pressure. Be careful
around any stick-on graphics or paint as the pressure will remove them
quickly.

After getting as much grass as possible off with water add bleach to the
chemical suction line and apply it liberally at a low pressure. The
objective is to allow the bleach to remain on the remaining grass. Wait for
a couple of hours and hit the hull again with high pressure. It may be
necessary to repeat this step.

Some further touch up will possibly be required. Teflon skillet scouring
pads work well but you'll probably get through a few of them to finish the
job.

Recommend you apply some antifoulant coating to the bottom next spring or
immediately if you plan to put your boat in the water again soon. Ask
around to get local knowledge of what coatings work well in your waters.

Generally the hull will require some light sanding in order for the coating
to stick well. However, your bottom may have become etched by the growth
you will remove. Again, seek local knowledge on that issue.

Good luck.

Butch

Personally, to avoid the problem in the future I would trailer the boat if
possible.
"JV" wrote in message ...
I have a cruiser that I leave in the water in the summer and since I don't
have a lift yet, you can imagine the amount of alge that grows on it. We
live on a lake that the surface temperature is 85 right now. How is the
best way to clean the hull on it? I've tried putting muratic acid on it but
it does not seem to cut the crud.