Annapolis Performance Sailing (APS) - Cheap Diver Hull Cleaning System

Cheap Diver Hull Cleaning System

Clean the bottom of your sailboat without having to get in the water. Cheap Diver is lightweight yet durable poly mesh that harmlessly cleans the bottom of your boat.

With another person (an extra helping hand makes it much more effective), unfurl Cheap Diver and grab each end, letting it sink just in front of the bow with one end on each side of the boat. Using a long pulling motion, you "floss" the bottom of the boat, working side to side and back towards the keel.

The product of years of materials testing, the Cheap Diver is ideal for small keelboats that are raced regularly and⁄or have to be kept in the water overnight for major regattas. This product is not recommended for use on boat bottoms with barnacles, rust, zincs or sloughing paint. Also, each hull design will have certain areas which will prove difficult to clean⁄reach.

Before storage, simply rinse with fresh water and swing around or dry on the life line or halyard. Store in the provided mesh bag for storage and to prevent fouling with lines.

Available in two sizes - the shorter version is designed for boats up to 24 feet in length with a fin keel. The longer version is designed for boats up to 36 feet in length with a fin keel.

Instructions on How to Use Cheap Diver:
As instructions are not included, we've included the manufacturers "how to" here for you. Simply click here to view the instructions.

Cheap Diver can be used while boat is at the dock or out on the race course. In less than ten minutes--while you're waiting for crew to arrive, while rigging the boat, or during downtime between races--you can buff your bottom clean. Caution must be used on boats with zincs, propellers, and other hull mounted accessories or soft, sloughing bottom paints.

First, unfurl Cheap Diver, grab the ends and let it sink "in front" of the bow, with one end on each side of the boat. Using a long pulling motion, floss the boat bottom working side to side and back toward the keel. Although it is possible, it is recommended not to "try it yourself"; it is easiest done with two people, with one or both people on board the boat or on the dock.

In order to clean the leading edge of the keel, continue to work the Cheap Diver from side to side aft of the keel toward the back of the boat. This will require long strokes and may require each person to pull from the very ends, low to the toe rail. With each pull the Cheap Diver will work down the front of the keel and eventually will "pop off" on the backside of the keel.

The hull behind the keel can be cleaned using long pulling motions side to side, to the extent the propeller, rudder, and any other hull mounted accessories allow.

Once the Cheap Diver is behind the keel, hold one end low on the port side of the hull aft of the keel and have the person on starboard walk forward, around the bow to the port side, in order to clean the starboard side of the keel. Continue flossing as the end is walked around in order to get the area at the top of the keel where it meets the hull. Once both ends are on the port side, one person holding both ends can floss the starboard side of the keel, moving forward and aft, with the Cheap Diver working down the leading edge of the keel and coming off as you work aft.

Work the Cheap Diver from the bow, down the keel and behind it again, this time holding the end on the starboard side, and walk the other end around the bow in order to clean the port side of the keel.

Each hull will have different areas that are difficult to clean--we recommend you Cheap Diver the boat just prior to any hoisting in order to confirm those areas where your "flossing technique" may need subtle improvement. Or quickly dive on the boat, if the water is warm enough!

HIKCP24 Cheap Diver: For Boats up to 24ft. Price: $45.00 HIKCP36 Cheap Diver: For Boats up to 36ft. Price: $60.00