Scraping Barnacles with Hull in the Water

[bene505]

I'm no stranger to freediving - holding my breath while spearfishing, for instance.

I took a scuba course to do the bottom, and bought all the equipment used off eBay. (Except I bought a new 80 cu ft tank.)

After the initial investment, it's $6 for a fill of air. Scuba makes underwater tasks so much easier than breath-holding.

Regards,
Brad

[Hudson Force]

I don't have much to add to all the good advice above. I would repeat that the gloves are essential. Barnacle cuts can be very infectious. With this in mind, it's best to scrape all that you can reach in a full circle around the boat before going under for a deeper reach. By scraping clean from the top down you are less likely to rise up against barnacles above your work and recieve cuts. Also, if you don't expect to complete a full job, start with the rudder and prop and they will have the greatest effect on your performance. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[donradcliffe]

My technique is to do a bit of the bottom, then while I'm catching my breath, I'll do the parts I can reach from the surface.

Jellyfish can be a problem in the Chesapeake summer--I usually waited until I got into the Sassafrass river. You can also get covered with larvae--they seem to live in the stuff you are scraping off, then want to transfer themselves to you.

[sdowney717]

"You can also get covered with larvae"

larvae? of what?
does not sound pleasant.
I bought a mask and will have plastic and oak scraper

I used to be good at holding my breath under water, we will see.
Anyone use a long tube to breathe underwater or is that not going to work.

[sdowney717]

would a swim cap like this be a good idea and also keep water from your ears?
Swim Cap with Chin Strap - Bubble Crepe Finish | eBay

this one also covers ears.
where can I buy that locally?
http://www.easycomforts.com/EasyComf...ductID=316154&

http://www.amazon.com/Swim-Cap-Chin-...776816&sr=1-16

how about something sized for men?
like this
http://www.amazon.com/Fashy-BLACK-ST.../dp/B003SPRORQ

[HopCar]

The long tube won't work. The water pressure just forces the air out of your lungs through the tube. That's why they invented air compressors.

[hellosailor]

"After the initial investment, it's $6 for a fill of air."

Brad, that's a bargain these days. In the metro NY/LI area, you can also expect to pay $40 per year for a VIP inspection (visual tank inspection) and another $50 every 5th year for the tank hydro testing. If you find a good source, $20 for each of those, but dive shops seem to think that's unreasonable.

Then there's maintenance on the regulator, the rubber parts and diaphragm can rupture if not replaced from time to time. The shops would like to do an annual overhaul (ka-ching!) and most do that poorly too.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by sdowney717

would you go in at high tide? I think so ...

I cleaned during flood tides, so that detritus was swept away.
Ear protection (NOT plugs) is a good idea, as is a prophylactic wash (alcohol/peroxide).
I often wore a 5# weight, and used a weighted hand line from the rail.

[Bash]

No ear plugs! When the increased water pressure compresses the air space in your inner ear, that pressure will drive the plugs into your ear canals. A great way to break an eardrum.

No long-tube snorkles! Your lungs are not strong enough to draw the air down to any appreciable depth, and any attempt to do so on a long tube will collapse your lungs.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

"After the initial investment, it's $6 for a fill of air."

Brad, that's a bargain these days. In the metro NY/LI area, you can also expect to pay $40 per year for a VIP inspection (visual tank inspection) and another $50 every 5th year for the tank hydro testing. If you find a good source, $20 for each of those, but dive shops seem to think that's unreasonable.

Then there's maintenance on the regulator, the rubber parts and diaphragm can rupture if not replaced from time to time. The shops would like to do an annual overhaul (ka-ching!) and most do that poorly too.

If you're diving a lot it's still relatively inexpensive. In San Diego you need the bottom cleaned monthly, at ~$50 a pop on average. Scuba gear plus all the air/inspection costs pay for themselves pretty quickly.

[ssanzone]

i just wanna stress what BASH and others have cautioned...

weighs can be very dangerous (make sure u can drop then quickly)
dont put ANYTHING in your ears
skin and barnacles are NOT a happy union
any snorkel designed to be used in this application can not be safely used in this application
all breath control results in fatigue
fatigue and currents are not likely to make for a happy ending

while i appreciate that this seems a simple DIY project, there are a lot of safety considerations to keep in mind.

I think CF members often argue against rather than argue for many of the topics posted here and as a bit of a risk taking 'get it done' kinda guy i often roll my eyes as i read what seems like unnecessarily cautious recommendations.

this is NOT one of those times. you can get very seriously hurt (or dead) diving a boat if you dont understand the risks and have taken appropriate precautions.

-steev

[sdowney717]

I think I will use my ear muffs, older ones plastic with foam used for load noises.
I just dont want strange criters swimming into my ears.
This will be interesting experiment.
One thing also to be concerned about is stray current in the water.
The boat is at a marina in brackish salt water.
Fresh water I read people get shocked much more often than salt.

Got my face mask today, silicone crytal clear and keeps water from your nose.
Has tempered glass
An ebay item and feels good.

Scuba Diving Body Glove Nytro 1 Blue Silicone Mask
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180705520749...84.m1439.l2649

[hellosailor]

Downey, you might try a scuba hood. Neoprene rubber that covers your head, neck, most of your face and forehead. Will keep your warmer and cushion some head bumps against the hull, and shouldn't be all that expensive.

[sdowney717]

good idea, how do you size those hoods to your head?
I was thinking of an XL neoprene 5 mm hood.

[Seahunter]

Originally Posted by sdowney717

how do you do this without hauling out the boat?
do you just swim under with a scraper?

I was thinking if i did, I would put on long pants, long sleeves, a face mask, ear plugs, old sneakers and hold my breath. the props are about 2 feet back from the stern and 2 feet underneath hanging off the hull. Powerboat.

likely just hold my breath.
so how realistic is this?
boat has a swim platform and ladder to go into the water.
for a scraper, i would use a plastic putty knife and or an oak wooden scraper.

what about your body being too bouyant, would i be bouncing off the hull bottom?

Just too funny to NOT be a wanker. Start out with a case of Fosters tied to your shorts, keep drinking till you reach the right depth (beginning at your keel for best results) and forget about holding your breath; you'll find it cuts down on your ability to drink and is just a waste of time.