Keith McGregor

Yacht Hull Cleaning, Saving Fuel & Improved Performance

Owners who have a regular hull clean are thus getting optimum performance from their boats. By maintaining a good cleaning routine for your vessel one can enjoy greater diesel or petrol fuel efficiency, and prevent unsightly machinery/anti-corrosion system failure.

At the beginning of any new sailing or cruising season one can ponder is it worth all the hard work and cost to get your hull clean?

What’s in it for you?

• Extend the life of your antifouling and running gear
• Reduce vessel running costs (lower marine fuel consumption)
• Increased performance 
• Enhanced appearance
• Satisfaction of knowing exactly what lies beneath

Marine organisms love a grubby hull potentially hampering your vessels by blocking intakes/discharges, jamming speed logs, covering sounders, shafts and propellers.

Out of the water cleaning?


Regular cleaning is highly recommended using a soft sponge or cloth rather than a harsh removal aids. Sprays are available to remove black stains etc in order to keep the hull condition immaculate and prevent later hull growth.

In the water cleaning?


Dependent on size of boat divers can be employed using either a soft sponge, industrial brush; scraper or mixture of all, depending on the required effort to remove the fouling. They start on the water line making sure not to go above the antifouling, and onto the gel coat. 
Once the water line is complete they drop down to where they have cleaned to and work their way forward and aft along the vessel until they reach the keel making sure to cover and clean every fitting and section of the vessel. 
The running gear is then cleaned and inspected, all work is recorded and a full photographic report can be supplied.

Improved performance from cleaning is reported to increase marine fuel efficiency by 3-to-8 percent compared to bottom paint only. Also a clean hull is more likely to achieve a higher resale value.

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