What our attention to detail really means:

– During each service, I check the bottom paint, cutlass bearing, tighten the zincs/anodes, clean raw water intakes, monitor the through-hulls for any issues, check the propeller nuts and cotter pins, trim tab rivets and fasteners, rudder shaft, inspect the hull for any damage, blisters, corrosion, check the operation of mechanical propellers, and take observations of any ongoing pre-existing issues. I can repair most simple issues in the water, and will notify you right away if the boat has an issue that needs to be addressed.  Cleaning methods emphasize protecting the condition of your valuable bottom paint.

– Before and After Photos – Anything that can be better understood using photo/video will be recorded and shared with you. In some cases the water is too murky for photo/video – in these cases we have to rely on the written report included with each service. We do not routinely offer a photo session as proof of a clean bottom; it’s too easy for divers to cherry pick the cleanest parts of the hull and send those photos. As proof of the clean bottom, we rely on our stellar track record among clients and boatyards who know that LH Marine offers the most uncompromising level of service.

– Zinc/Anode Replacement – All our services will give you a report on the state of your zincs. If they are below 50%, they are due for replacement. If your boat has untraditional zincs, let us know. We keep a well-maintained database of all our customers and their zincs, being sure to have the proper anodes with us to prevent an additional visit and cost.We do not “pad” the invoice with unnecessary zinc installations as we have heard many other dive services do.

– Maxprop Grease Service – PYI-brand tools are used to grease Maxprops. Annual, routine Maxprop grease service is $100 when combined with a routine hull cleaning. This price includes grease and new set screws. One-time Maxprop grease services are priced on a case by case basis, depending on the condition of the propeller and existing set screws.

Boat issues we’ve caught and addressed for our customers:

• Corrosion. The most common issue we find is corrosion due to anodes incorrectly installed, stray current issues, or due to unprotected metals. We have successfully diagnosed and resolved dozens of corrosion issues before the hardware was destroyed, saving time and money for customers.
• Broken prop strut. Hairline crack in the prop strut indicated the prop strut would soon break. The owner was prepared for this outcome and when it happened during a race, they knew what was happening and went straight to the boatyard.
• Rudder falling out. The internal rudder locking collar had somehow let go, allowing the rudder to start falling out of the boat. I noticed a small amount of up-and-down play in the rudder, notified the customer, and they had this quickly fixed the same day.
• Bottom paint failure. A customer with brand new paint started getting grass and stubborn algae on their hull, even with monthly cleanings. I gathered video documentation of the issue over the course of a few monthly services, and with this documentation the owner successfully had the bottom paint completely replaced under warranty.
• Cracked rudder. The top edge of the spade rudder was split open, due to grabbing the hull in the wrong way. I managed to inject epoxy into the split rudder, clamping it back together, and the boat was able to sail for six months before going to the boatyard for repairs. When the boatyard opened up the rudder, they were happy to find no water ingress thanks to the epoxy.
• Worm shoe damage on wooden boat. The teak worm shoe on a wooden power boat was held in place by corroded screws, which only let go a few weeks after the boat was launched with new planking and new bottom paint. Instead of hauling out right away, I managed to use a brace-and-bit to drill new tapered holes, then used SplashZone epoxy and a creative clamp setup to bring the repair together.
• Spurs Line Cutter installed incorrectly. A newly refitted sailboat was launched with the Spurs Line Cutter installed in such a way that it would not actually cut a line caught in the propeller. I was able to disassemble the line cutter and reinstall it correctly, saving a haul-out.
• Gori propeller installed incorrectly. A sailboat with a 3 blade folding Gori propeller needed new anodes. While installing the anodes, I found that one of the prop blades was out of place. I called the representative with my findings, and the boat was hauled and fixed by the boatyard who had installed the propeller.

Regular Service Plans

Your commitment to keeping your boat bottom clean also allows us to better schedule and anticipate workloads. Based on your location and condition of existing bottom paint, we can provide a customized cleaning interval to achieve the results you are looking for.

Racing – A clean bottom is a secret weapon. We had one boat that won 5 consecutive races after they switched to LH Marine. We can’t promise those kinds of results but we do get lots of feedback from racers who noticed the difference in speed to the tenths of a knot and noticed faster tacking and maneuvering. Racing service also comes with more streamlined zinc/anode installation. This generally applies to propeller shaft anodes. The anodes we recommend most highly are shaped like a bullet for reduced drag. 

Includes: Full hull cleaning, everything below the bootstripe. Full inspection and report on marine growth. Anode tightening and replacement when applicable. Bottom paint condition report. Cutlass bearing test, prop strut test. Rudder rotation. 

Cruising / Daysailing – Every two months for basic upkeep, monthly during summertime for high performance and longer-lasting bottom paint.

This is our most popular interval in cases where cruising speeds are acceptable. 6 services per year on a boat with good bottom paint prevents any deep growth and will allow your paint to last longer. For boats with more sensitive bottom paint or boats that need to look good and be ready to sail near the top of their performance, we recommend cleaning the bottom monthly during the summer (May through October), then reducing to every two months in the winter.

Includes: Full hull cleaning, everything beneath the boot-stripe. Full inspection and report on growth. Anode tightening and replacement when needed. Bottom paint condition report. Cutlass bearing test, rudder test.

Stationary Safety – This is designed for stationary boats or liveaboards that don’t leave the marina but still want to ensure their intakes/through-hulls and anodes are in good shape so there is no permanent damage or safety concern. We come and replace all anodes and clean out through-hulls. 

Includes: Full hull cleaning, everything beneath the boot-stripe. Inspection and report on bottom paint and underwater structural condition and/or corrosion, cutlass bearing/propeller/rudder test. Anode tightening and replacement when needed. 

Benefits of annual cleaning plan:

Up to 2x longer lasting bottom paint – Careful cleaning means longer between haulouts. Scrupulous scrubbing takes off less of your antifouling paint, allowing it to keep your bottom cleaner longer. This translates quickly into thousands of dollars of savings off less careful divers. We’ve had boats last 3 years under our cleaning, the same boat which only lasted 1.5 years with a cheaper diver! 

Priority placement on our calendar and on-call availability for our regular customers. We work hard to make sure your boat gets cleaned when needed. Our regular customers benefit from being able to schedule service when they need it, even if that means tomorrow!

Phone call or in-person consultation about your boat: We are here for our regular customers to discuss how to get the longest life out of your bottom paint, how to get the best results at your boatyard, and what kinds of products we recommend for your application.

One-Time Services:

Whether you’re selling the boat, moving out of the area or just want to try us out, we can help you with that next step of boat ownership.

• Underside Audit – A full audit of your hull’s bottom. A detailed cleaning followed by an assessment of your hull, paint, propeller, shaft, Saildrive, anodes, rudder, cutlass bearing, keel, and any other aspects of your boat. Comprehensive report gives you a starting point to move forward. This may also include a before and after video if visibility allows. 
• Pre-purchase Inspection – In some cases it doesn’t make sense to haul your new boat at a boatyard at a considerable expense just to check on their bottoms. From a dive on the boat we can tell you 1) Overall condition of the hull 2) State of the Antifouling bottom paint and what kind of paint you have 3) State of the through-hulls 4) Condition of the propeller 5) Condition of the rudder 6) If there is any damage, blistering or any other issues. 
• OMG. My bottom is a floating coral reef! – Often it makes more sense to haul the boat and use a pressure washer and start fresh with a new layer of bottom paint. If that is not an option we can quote a full cleaning and give our recommendation. We can also simply dive on the boat, inspect/clean the through-hulls and replace the zincs to make sure she stays afloat. A thorough visual assessment is much cheaper than a full cleaning and can often provide the answers you are looking for. 
• Recovery Mission – Dropped something in the water. Our suit-up-setup-compressor-and-get- in-the-water fee is a base of $130. Most of the time this is all it takes. Unless we have to chase down a fish that is holding your keys hostage!
• Mechanical, Offshore Locations, Underwater Construction, Etc. – If we can be of assistance with your project, please give us a call.