CLEANING HULL BOTTOM

[The Mutt]

Ray

Do you know what ingredients make up Slimy Grimy, I can't find an Australian agent for it, there might be a similar product on our market.

Glenn

[NiceAft]

Glenn,

Here is their "contact us" page from their web site. http://www.slimygrimy.com/contact_us.cfm

I have used the product for years. I buy the one pound tub and mix it myself. I do not have bottom paint on the boat, only Interlux barrier coating. Here are some things I have taken note of. (A) Slimy Grimy works better when mixed with warm water (which the directions tell you to do). (B) It is best used when the boat is first removed from the water. I have used it after Nice Aft was sitting on my driveway for the winter. I then used a hose to wet the boat, and after letting the water soak in, used the Slimy Grimy to remove the slime. It definitely took more time, but at no time was it back breaking work. (C) It has consistently worked better on the port side of the boat. I have no idea as to why More sun by facing south? Less sun by being next to the dock? The starboard side always takes a second spraying. Big Deal I have a cheap one gallon garden sprayer, and I walk down the starboard side to spray again. No acid, or anything caustic to worry about. what ever does not dissolve, comes off with a hose and a long handle with a brush at the end of it.

As I noted in my first posting, some on this site have had negative results with the product. I don't know why, or which type of Slimy Grimy they used (pre-mixed, or dry chemical in a tub). Over the last few years I have used it with varied results. All of them good, with some better than others, but always worth it. What the Delaware River environment allows to grow on the bottom of boats is a challenge to any product

Ray

[Russ]

After hearing Ray's success with Slimy Grimy, I bought a bottle. We had quite a bit of slime this year and the stuff seemed to work well. Compared to last year when almost NOTHING would get the slime off. It was like green hairy cement.
In the spring I also applied Aurora bottom wax which may take some credit for the ease of slime removal. Next year I'm getting the mix like Ray uses and use the Aurora again.

--Russ

[NiceAft]

Glenn,

There is one other possibility. I am going to be in Singapore at the end of December. It looks like it's only a hop, skip, and a jump away from Australia. If you, or someone you know is going to be there, I'll bring a tub with me (if it is legal ).

Ray

[The Mutt]

Thanks for the offer Ray, alas we shall be in Taiwan in March with a Honk Kong/Macau stop over, I've deceide to borrow a really big high pressure sprayer from a roof restorer friend and blast the bottom free of anti fowl and grim.

Glenn

[Boblee]

The slime and grime is not much drama but the marine growth when in tropical salt water for anything over two weeks can be a major job even with acid as the shells etc stick tight.

[c130king]

This is about 8 weeks in the James River at the Southern end of the Chesapeake.



Don't think Slimy Grimy would have done much. I used a plastic putty knife to scrape off the barnacles while they were still wet.

That left me with this.



Then about 4 days later...after trailering 650 miles back to Jacksonville, FL. I powerwashed with a fairly powerful powerwasher and it came clean...but it took some time as I had to get the head pretty close for some dried up spots.

But if I ever have a lower level of grime without the barnacles I will try the Slimy Grimy.

Cheers,
Jim

[Gazmn]

The season is over at the end of the month
& to make cleaning her out of the water easier I took a note from Chinook and cleaned her in the water

With my face mask and weight belt on, I held my breath and easily finished the hard to reach places. I experimented with a breathing tube, but found it easier to just hold my breath and clean with repeated dunks. This is definitely the best way I've found to clean the bottom

While I, too, thought this was easier in warm water - as in during the season. I was glad to be in a wet suit and I used a lycra hood to cover my head, particularly my ears...

as there is no grosser thing than seeing all these little creatures crawling all over you. Yuck, eww, ugh

I needed a drink after that one... of course I hosed myself off first & cleaned my gear

If you're adventurous enough to do this, I preferred the plastic 10" putty blade, scraper from Home Depot. There's a rectangular shaped one that gives you 10",8" & 6" on three sides and has a hand hold in the middle. I tied it on with some string so I wouldn"t drop it and had at it

It'll wear down with use and not scratch the boat; Quite effective, but I won't be surprised if I dream tonight about those little critters climbing all over me... Definitely not the glamorous side of boating

[NiceAft]

Gazmn,

Did you happen to have anyone with a camera near by when you did this? I'm sure that was a sight to see Jumping into the waters off New York in October Did you happen to see Jimmy Hoffa

Ray

[puggsy]

I could not resist replying to RHC...when I made that comment, I meant that ALL the growth was successfully removed by the powerwasher...What was left was a partial covering of last years antifouling...It does stick pretty good. It is this 'older' antifouling that can be painted over...

[Gazmn]

Re: NiceAft,

Like Sonny Corleone..." No Pictures"
& while it wasn't wonderful temp wise I waited for a 65 degree day; So, it wasn't that bad.
Tomorrow NYC should break 72
The last Waltz...
I got Trailer work to finish up and hopefully my last wave [sail] for the season
Will put boat to bed by Tuesday

P.S.
1. I, too, subscribe to Slimy Grimy; Works like a charm

2. No Jimmy, but found some Shrinkage...