Fun is NOT what i had this week cleaning the boat bottom. I have greatly improved my system. I bought a used 'hooka rig' (or snooba) from Roland, a gentleman who is quitting boating. $300, it is a 50' hose with a pressure gauge on one end and a mouthpiece on the other. so i can just jump in and leave the airtank on the boat. (i also got 2 tanks from Roland included) its easier to scrub the bottom with this setup. It still took me two tanks and about 5hrs underwater scrubbing to finish it. *PHOTO; 3' barracuda. on the second day i was down there scrubbing and looked over and a Barracuda was sitting perfectly still like they do, about 5 ft from me just watching me. He hung around all afternoon never leaving my side. EXCEPT when a 4ft reef shark swam through and chased him. It gave me a little start! I see the fish dart off and immediately he's pursued by this shark which flies past me and under the boat - gone. I looked around then in a 360, to confirm i was alone. After about ten minutes the barracuda returned to watch me. The shark stayed gone.
Full Moon
George Town Sunset
Tiny growth on the prop
I've seen worse, but sure wish i had done this weeks ago before it got so long and thick.
(Lesson learned? we will see next month!)
Before scrubbing, growth from waterline to bottom of keel (top-bottom)
After first pass, standing on the sandy bottom reaching as high as I can
First pass along bottom done. Note: Barracuda watching me.
the Keel before cleaning
I motored over to the other side of the harbor and anchored in preparation for rain this week and strong winds from the North. Upon arrival i swam out and checked my anchor to confirm it was well buried. I saw neither the Barracuda nor the Shark. Yet!
I was anchored in about 12 feet of water, so at high tide the bottom sits about 6 feet off the bottom - about eye level. I stood on the sandy bottom and reached up with my scrub brush, on it's 5' handle, and cleaned what i could reach. After i couldn't reach anymore, i went aboard for lunch and a nap. i waited till low tide so the boat would be sitting near the bottom and i could reach the higher areas. Then i would dive again and do the rest of it. I did a side per day and then was plenty tired and sore. It takes a lot of muscles to lift the tanks and then swim around down there scrubbing. My scrub muscles have not been exercised much!
My scrub brush tied to the ladder at high tide.
the barracuda
the barracuda watching me
small fish watching the barracuda!
I hope your bottom is clean.
IF NOT, dont wait too long before cleaning it.
It's a lot of work!
- Cleaner Skip
