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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Power washing the hull

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/28/2009 : 12:27:12

So today after work I have a chance to use a hydro hoist and a power washer to clean up the bottom my hull. Ultimately I need a bottom job but I want to get the green algae "beard" off for now until the end of the season. A friend says I could damage my hull with the power washer. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Peter Powers
1979 TR/FK #1390
~Stephanos~
Bayview Marina,
Lake Ray Hubbard
Dallas, TX

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 12:44:49

I've done the deck this way many times. No trouble. Keep the wand away from the woodwork if you do the deck.

just don't hold the wand right against the hull - give it 6" or so and take your time.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 12:45:18

Peter,
I've pressure washed my hull & deck a number of times. If you're using a "normal" pressure washer (something you can buy at Home Depot/Lowes/Costco), you should have no problems. There are commercial pressure washers that could damage your hull, but unless you're in a big yard, you're unlikely to ever see one.

I scrub the algae / grass off of my hull pretty easily with just a regular brush & boat pole, but maybe you've got more significant growth.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 13:07:03

Peter, I too will need bottom paint on my 03. I just found out that the city(Newport Beach) in which my boat is kept, is offering incentives for boat owners who use copper free paint. Its a new program and I am not sure of all the details yet but am definitely interested. Has anyone heard of this or how it compares to traditional bottom paint?

Steve A

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 13:20:54

If you have a small blister or hole then the presure washer will chip it away. However I do have to admit I was using a 3500psi with the straight tip adapter (pencil size) to remove old ablative paint. If you use a fan type tip you should be fine.

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Dick Johnson
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 14:43:12

When I get my boat pulled for cleaning and painting on the ICW, the first thing that they do is power wash the bottom. This gets most of the growth off.
"Lagniappe" 5512 SK, Neuse River, North Carolina

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 19:29:28

West marine has a tutorial about California's new green bottom paint initiative. One issue is that paints with a lot of copper will soon become outlawed in California. This winter you will see major "special deals" on these paints.

You could "get around" the regulations by purchasing several seasons' paint now before the laws change.

At some point, manufacturers will develop some effective means of combating marine growth, however it may take some time. One thing is guaranteed though, the price will definitely go up!

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 11:30:01

Several copper free paints are currently available, and PS testing showed them to be, in varying degrees, reasonably effective when combined with regular scrubs. Copper is not as toxic as many things we dump in the water, but the nature of boating means it's concentrated in sensitive areas and easy to regulate.

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 12:19:10

So we tried to raise my C-25 TR/FK on the hydro hoist of my friend's Capri 25 and it didn't work. First it tried to lift it stern first, the second attempt it listed sharply to port. After that event we gave up. I at least was able to power wash the hull and topsides.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 12:44:45

Time to build up a stockpile of VC17!

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.