bottom cleaning

[SFWindChaser]

Hi all,

I would like to get some feedback from experienced boat owners about the questionable results of a bottom cleaning service I recently had performed. There was a verbal agreement beforehand to have the hull of my Ericson 29 cleaned for an estimate of $60. I later received a bill for $110 wich included the $60 cleaning plus $50 for installing 2 3/4" zinc collars. I personally installed all new zincs on my boat 6 months prior to the cleaning, including 2 collars on the prop shaft, while the boat was hauled. I question whether they needed replacement after 6 months (boat is kept in SF Marina). Also, I never gave the dive service authorization to replace the zincs, and they did not leave the old ones for me. Finally, I noticed 3 weeks after the cleaning that there was about 2-3 inches of stringy marine growth on the rudder - is this amount of growth possible if the rudder was cleaned?? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I'm mainly wondering if I should refuse to pay the $50 for the zincs.

Thanks in advance...

[mitiempo]

I think I'd probably ask to see the zincs. But 6 months can dissolve a lot of zinc depending on conditions in the marina. How long did the zincs last previously? If they needed it there's no better time than when the diver is already down scrubbing. I recently had our local diver scrub my prop and shaft and replace the zinc for $90. He was already here doing a neighbor's boat and in my case I can see the shaft zinc from the dock and knew it was more than half gone. My hull was ok except for a bit of slime so didn't need a scrub as I'm not going too far until spring. Your diver's price does sound fair to me. They should be replaced when they're approaching half dissolved.
Brian

[MikeinLA]

I totally agree with Brian, I've never had prop zincs last 6 months. There is a LOT of electricity in the water in a marina. I think the diver was doing you a favor and that the cost is reasonable. My diver always leaves the old zincs on the dock, so perhaps you could ask them to do that next time. The important thing is to hire a diver who you trust so you don't worry about getting ripped off. Talk to your dock buddies and see who they like. I've been with my dive service for 10 years and I trust them implicitly.

Mike

[jrd22]

Some marinas I've been in the zincs only last about 3-4 months, so it's possible that they needed replacing. They should leave the old ones on the boat, that's what our diver did. As far as the growth goes, in summer here (PNW) stuff can grow 6" in a week on hulls that need new antifouling. $60 seems cheap compared to what we pay.

[SFWindChaser]

Thanks for the responses. I've only been a big boat owner for about a year and am learning as I go. Sounds like I should accept the billed amount and maybe consider getting a different diver next time or requesting to have the old zincs by the same one. Still, $50 to replace a couple shaft zincs seems steep. maybe I'll jump in the water with a snorkel and do it myself next time.

Evan

[mitiempo]

Evan
The zincs are about 11.50 each at Jamestown Dist - so that makes installation only $27. Sounds like a good deal. I wouldn't do my own for that much - except in the Caribbean maybe. Probably one of the least expensive jobs involving labor you'll ever pay for on a boat.
Brian

[SFWindChaser]

Point taken Brian, although I still think I should have been asked beforehand if I wanted zincs replaced if necessary. This must be the only industry where someone can just do unauthorized work on your vehicle and send you a bill in the mail. If my auto mechanic did that they would lose my business for sure!

Evan

[mitiempo]

Why would you not want them replaced if necessary?
One thing my dive cleaner does is supply me with digital before and after pics emailed to me later the same day - even though I was standing on the dock while he worked. As well as the pieces of the old zinc. Which I knew needed replacing as I could see it from the dock.
Brian

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by SFWindChaser

There was a verbal agreement beforehand to have the hull of my Ericson 29 cleaned for an estimate of $60.

You were ahead of the game right off the bat. The going rate for hull cleaning in the Bay Area is $2.25/foot.

Originally Posted by SFWindChaser

I personally installed all new zincs on my boat 6 months prior to the cleaning, including 2 collars on the prop shaft, while the boat was hauled. I question whether they needed replacement after 6 months (boat is kept in SF Marina).

While one would hope to get more than 6 months out of a set of zincs, your zinc usage is not out of the ordinary.

Originally Posted by SFWindChaser

Also, I never gave the dive service authorization to replace the zincs, and they did not leave the old ones for me.

It's generally implied that when you ask for a diver to clean a boat that carries zincs, that zinc replacement will be performed if necessary. As mentioned before, why would you not want the diver to do this? If you specifically didn't want him to perform this routine and common task, you should have told him beforehand (although I will admit that when I quote my rates for hull cleaning, I always mention zinc replacement as well.) As far as not leaving the remnants for you to inspect, it's entirely possible that there were none left on the shaft to leave for you to see.

Originally Posted by SFWindChaser

Finally, I noticed 3 weeks after the cleaning that there was about 2-3 inches of stringy marine growth on the rudder - is this amount of growth possible if the rudder was cleaned??

Absolutely.

Originally Posted by SFWindChaser

I'm mainly wondering if I should refuse to pay the $50 for the zincs.

You should mention your concerns to your diver and see what his response is. Of course, you've waited long enough now that he can't remove and resell the zincs, so if you asked him to do that, he would be eating the anodes and his labor on that. What you've described here sounds like (to this hull diver) a typical, well-performed hull cleaning service. You probably should pay the invoice (BTW- $50.00 for two 3/4" zincs installed is what I charge as well) and if you really feel like this guy can't be trusted, find another service. But in my opinion it sounds like you got a pretty good deal (considering the low hull cleaning rate) and your diver is likely a straight shooter.

[sailingdog]

2-3 inches of growth is definitely possible in THREE WEEKS. as for the zincs... not paying is just ridiculous. It is very unlikely that your zincs were not in need of replacement. While the diver should have left the old zincs for you to inspect, it is far better that he replace them while down there, which is customary, than he call you and have to make a second dive.