Looking for Insights on Hull Cleaning Costs & Time – Help Us Understand the Market!

[Trisha_J.]

Hi everyone,

I’m part of a team researching boat hull maintenance, and we’re trying to get a clearer picture of the costs and time involved in keeping hulls clean. We know that regular cleaning is crucial for performance and fuel efficiency, but we’d love to hear directly from those with firsthand experience.

If you own or maintain boats, could you share:

• How often do you clean your hull?
• How much does it typically cost (whether DIY or professional)?
• How long does the process usually take?

We’re especially interested in any regional differences or trends you’ve noticed. If you have any insights, I’d really appreciate your input. Thanks in advance!

 

[gonzo]

Are you asking about commercial or recreational? Commercial high speed boat can recover the cost is a few trips so they are willing to spend the money on it. For example the Milwaukee ferry saves considerable fuel at 40 mph to get the hulls cleaned monthly. Recreational boats rarely clean their hulls at all. On the other hand, racing sailboats often clean the hull before every race if they are competitive.

 

[BlueBell]

Boat cleaning machines are creeping into the market as a trend towards non toxic bottom paint grows.
They often require a membership fee along with a per use fee every couple of months to maintain a clean hull.
You have a lot of research to do but a www forum is not a good place to start.
You're going to need to research your operating area.

 

[Trisha_J.]

Are you asking about commercial or recreational? Commercial high speed boat can recover the cost is a few trips so they are willing to spend the money on it. For example the Milwaukee ferry saves considerable fuel at 40 mph to get the hulls cleaned monthly. Recreational boats rarely clean their hulls at all. On the other hand, racing sailboats often clean the hull before every race if they are competitive.

I am mainly asking about recreational boats

 

[gonzo]

In your area where boats get hauled out every winter there is little or nothing.

 

[seasquirt]

You could average spending a minute per square foot to a minute per square yard, or quicker, with many variables. Unpainted aluminium - blast full pressure, gelcoated F/G - be a bit careful, painted wood - be very careful. Then there's : how degraded is the paint, is it going to be re-painted after, how long since last clean, how fast is the growth locally, do you have barnacles and other sticky surface damaging critters. I've seen upside down forests on hulls, and paint coming off in sheets, so it's a balancing act of speed vs damage by the cleaner blast. Don't forget the cleanup after, or old dying growth will start to stink real soon; and slips will require you to clean up after yourself. Boat cleaning is not an easy or pleasant job usually. Check out a slip or two, and see what's involved, and time spent; volunteer, get muck in your eye, and on your clothes; get a taste for it, (literally), and you may change your mind. But good luck anyway.

 

[gonzo]

The OP is referring to in-water cleaning which is a dive operation. In general hydraulic rotary brushes are used.

 

[BlueBell]

...which is a dive operation

No diving with the machines that are moving into this area.
As I said, it's a move to try and eliminate toxic bottom paints.

 

[gonzo]

The OP is asking about Pittsburg. It's a different country.

 

[BlueBell]

Really?

 

[gonzo]

Apparently many posts have missed that the OP is asking information in the USA.

 

[seasquirt]

Quick search: ". . . the largest town (by area) in the U.S., Pittsburg!"

I don't know if it has any navigable water near it.

There's probably a few Pittsburgs.

 

[gonzo]

It is in Pennsylvania, at the confluence of two large rivers.
Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pittsburgh,+PA/@40.434809,-79.9907237,7713m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x8834f16f48068503:0x8df915a15aa21b34!8m2!3d40.4386612!4d-79.9972352!16zL20vMDY4cDI?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

[seasquirt]

Strip District, and Shady Side sound interesting !