Frequently Asked Quesitons
How long after booking will my hull be cleaned?
We’ll have a diver clean your hull within 7 business days. Need it sooner? Opt for expedited service for just $25 more, and we’ll clean your boat within 3 business days.
How frequently should my hull be cleaned?
We recommend professional hull cleaning every 4 weeks during winter and every 3 weeks in summer. Warmer summer water temperatures accelerate marine growth, causing faster accumulation on your hull. With our automated cleaning schedule, your hull will be serviced on this 4-week/3-week rotation, ensuring hassle-free maintenance. Enjoy 15 cleanings per year, keeping your boat in top condition year-round.
Who cleans my hull?
The Hull Master partners with a network of trusted divers in the San Diego Bay area to ensure
your boat’s hull can be cleaned at any marina. Each diver is highly experienced in cleaning
various boat types and removing San Diego hull growth. We only partner with the best divers,
ensuring you’ll feel the difference below the waterline.
Which locations does Hull Master serve?
We serve every location in San Diego Bay and Mission Bay. If you can dock or moor a boat
there, we can clean it. Check out a list of served locations by clicking here.
Why should I have my hull cleaned?
Short Answer: It saves you money.
Long Answer: San Diego has plentiful marine growth which likes to stick to your hull. After 8 weeks, your hull starts to resemble a barnacle-covered dock piling. This marine growth eats through the bottom paint protecting your hull, causing bubbles in your fiberglass and water penetration. Left unchecked, it will eventually compromise your hull.
Routine hull cleanings will prevent the marine growth from spreading unchecked underneath your hull. This will dramatically extend the life of your bottom paint, which costs thousands of dollars to re-repaint. Hull cleanings also remove the marine life slowing your boat down. It gives you faster speeds and more efficient fuel burns.
Maintaining your hull through the Hull Master’s monthly cleaning service is the easiest way to extend your bottom paint’s life, increase your boat’s speed, and boost fuel efficiency.
Do you clean propellers?
If the propeller is in the water (not tilted above the water line), it will be cleaned. Having a clean propeller is essential for running your boat at peak efficiency and power. There is an additional cost for cleaning outdrives which is included in your instant quote.
How long does bottom paint last?
With monthly bottom cleanings, your anti-fouling bottom paint will typically last 2-3 years. Anti-fouling bottom paint is designed to prevent marine growth on the hull. It requires a monthly, non-abrasive cleaning to prevent marine growth and last the full three years. At $50 per foot in San Diego, bottom paint is expensive. Expect to pay around $1500 (not including haul-out) to have a 30-foot sailboat’s bottom coat re-applied. Taking care of your bottom paint is one the most inexpensive ways to prevent a large bill later.
I haven’t cleaned my hull in a while, is there an additional cost?
The cost depends on the extent of marine growth. Removing thick layers of growth requires more time and materials, which may result in an additional fee. If your hull has been cleaned within the last 3 months: We can clean it without extra charges. If it hasn’t been cleaned in over 3 months: Please refer to our pricing page for a detailed breakdown of potential additional fees. Regular maintenance helps keep costs low and ensures a smoother cleaning process!
How can I reduce marine growth on my hull?
Marine growth is persistent and stubborn. The best prevention is to sail frequently (fun), clean your hull every 3-4 weeks (easy), and re-apply anti-fouling bottom paint every 2-3 years.
How do you recommend for bottom paint?
San Diego has many quality boat yards that can paint your bottom for a range of prices. The hard part can be scheduling the work within a few weeks as the yards book far out. We recommend Driscoll Mission Bay for the DIYer looking to paint their own hull. For those looking for a deal, it is hard to beat the prices of La Costa Boat Works or Baja Naval in Ensenada, Mexico.
Still have a question? Call or email us: info@thehullmaster.com or (619) 688-8404. We’re happy to help.