bottom growth etc

[gleavens]

I have a boat that has been in salt water for a few months apparently with no anti fouling paint on the hull, whats the best/quickest/easiest method to remove this mess?

 

[crb478]

If its only been a few months pull it out keep it wet and apply gentle scraping pressure to get everything off. Follow by a thorough washing and then a bottom coating of paint if you will be leaving it in.

 

[gleavens]

I'm assuming a couple months, maybe the season? My plan would be to trailer it, it's on a trailer now ( pulled from the water today). So I should hose down an area while I work at it with a scraper? putty knife?

 

[Scott Danforth]

use sno bowl toilet cleaner or the works toilet cleaner. spray the surface, keep it wet. let it sit for about 30 minutes, spray again...repeat as required. the acid in the toilet cleaner softens the calcium in the growth and it will come off. I use an old ice scraper, however a good plastic putty knife will work as well.

For really stubborn growth, I have used muriatic acid.

 

[Chris1956]

If the barnacles and other growth dry out, they are harder to remove, Get at 'em when they are fresh. Do your best to scrape them off and not damage the gel coat. Use whatever works to get them off, starting with a plastic scraper and graduating to a sander, if necessary.

Before relaunching, I recommend coating below the waterline with barrier paint and then some antifouling paint, applied as directed.