March 3-4, 2022 Diving the hull and cleaning isenglass

 3-3 Dave dove the hull today to check the zincs and clean the prop and shaft.  Barnacles grow on everything, but the hull itself didn’t need cleaning because of the awesome (but expensive) paint we use from the Bahamas.  The prop and shaft become a marine habitat.  Dave applies Lanocote to the prop and shaft when we are sitting in a marina to stop the growth on them.  If we move the boat, it comes off and he would touch it up again.  The barnacles still grow, but don’t attach firmly and are easier to remove.  If you don’t clean them off before sailing, it would be like swimming with your clothes on.  There would be a lot of drag to slow you down, or use excess fuel if you are motoring.  If we didn’t have the good bottom paint and our own equipment (hookah system with air compressor) you would pay a diver to clean your boat.  That can run anywhere from $2-7/ foot.  We think the hookah has paid for itself.

the air compressor is in the lazerette

the water is dark from tannin in the water

3-4 As Dave was finished up attaching the dodger, I started cleaning the isinglass on the dodger.  Dave had used a yellow grease pen to write instructions or mark the location of the piece on it.  Then when it was taken apart to sew, he would have the correct orientation.  There were also spots of glue that had to be removed.  Sticky tape is used in many places before sewing.  That ends up getting onto the isinglass at odd places.  I had to use a solvent especially for isinglass made by 3M and bought through Sailrite.
I was only able to get he dodger cleaned.  The rest can be done while we’re sitting at anchor in the Bahamas.