fjarvera Icelandic: absence; an existence elsewhere
Opua, North Island, New Zealand 35.31° N, 174.11° E

How to Remove Barnacles

Manual

Paihia, North Island, New Zealand 35.16° N, 174.09° E

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Hans Christian 43 'Salote'

Over the past week, it has been my responsibility to sand the hull of this ship.

Marine biosecurity laws in New Zealand and Australia are quite particular about anti-fouling coats and the specimens carried on the skin of your vessel.

I have learnt how to effectively remove the previous coats of anti-foul and replace it with a fresh coat.

Hull Preperation Materials

  1. Sanding discs (P40)
  2. Electric hand-held sander
  3. Vacuum with nozzle that can attach to sander
  4. Respirator mask
  5. Gardening gloves
  6. Safety glasses
  7. Flat-head screw driver
  8. Steel scraper (any will do)
  9. Work platform to reach

New Coat Materials (43 foot vessel with high waterline)

  1. 4 Litres of primer
  2. Paint brush
  3. Painters tape
  4. Microfibre roller x 4
  5. Extendtable roller
  6. Roller tray
  7. 10 Litres of anti-foul
  8. Electric drill (optional)
  9. Mixing tool (optional)

Hull Preperation Instructions

  1. Use steel scraper to remove all large barnacles and debris
  2. Use flat-head screwdriver to remove all flaking paint
  3. Attach sanding disc and vacuum to sanding tool
  4. Begin sanding (approx. 10 hours per side of hull)
  5. Once smooth all around, proceed to anti-foul instructions

Anti-foul application Instructions

  1. Apply painters tape over the water line
  2. Apply painters tape around relevant instrumentation
    1. Anodes, gauges, lightning-strike dissipators etc
  3. Open primer with screw-driver and stir with mixing tool
  4. Use paint brush to detail the rudder, propeller, and instruments listed in step two a).
  5. Use roller to paint hull with primer once over
  6. Wait three hours
  7. Open anti-foul with screw-driver and stir with mixing tool
    1. Some brands of anti-foul recommend thinner, refer to product instructions
  8. Use paint brush to detail the rudder, propeller, and instruments listed in step two a).
  9. Use roller to paint hull with anti-foul once over
  10. Wait six hours
  11. Use paint brush to detail the rudder, propeller, and instruments listed in step two a).
  12. Use roller to paint hull once again with anti-foul
  13. Wait six hours

Yippee! You are ready to face biosecurity laws and your vessel is protected from barnacles and terrifying marine life.

If you enjoy the practical how-to writings or have any requests, feel free to email me at alessandro@fjarvera.com

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