Buff and Wax while in Water

[MainShip36]

Hello,

I wanted to ask for ideas that are not expensive that would allow me to float along side a boat to buff and wax it while at the dock.

I was thinking about something inflateable. Will the cheapie inflateable rafts work?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

My boat is on a lift, and whenever I need to get to the other side, or somewhere inaccessible from the dock, I use a cheap-o inflatable raft from Wally World. Not like I'm sailing the 7 seas, it works fine.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

You can use any decent inflatable boat. The ones with a solid or wooden floor work the best, and a fiberglass dinghy would be tops. If you are at a marina, ask anyone around you for use of their tender. I would think a 12-pack would be more than fair compensation. You might even make some decent friends out of it!

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

The toughest part about what you want to do is finding a way to hold onto the boat so you can apply pressure. I usually try and hold onto the cleats or run a line between 2 cleats so you have a bit of a grab rail.

Cheers.

 

[shrew]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

Does the marina have a travel lift? You can usually book a time slot to sit in the slings. My marina will pull me and let me sit in the slings for around 4 hrs for a modest fee. It's a good time to pressure wash the hull and get all the slime off, wash and wax the hull from rub rail to water line, change zincs, even do a lower unit oil change if you have enough time.

It's a little late in the year now, but sometimes I try to get them to pull me around 4pm. They knock off at 5, then come back in at 8am the next day. Sometimes I try get them to let me sit in the slings over night, then relaunch me at 9 or 10 am. I can work until 8-9 pm and start back up at 6am the next day (provided I'm not making a lot of noise).

Just a thought.

 

[macsfriended]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

You did not mention if an electric powered buffer might be floating around with you.

That possibility bring visions of lightning flashes to my mind.

 

[MainShip36]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

Thanks for all the replies.

I am at a private dock, so no lift is available. I will have to do it in the water, and yes, an electric buffer will be doing the dirty work.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

Thanks for all the replies.

I am at a private dock, so no lift is available. I will have to do it in the water, and yes, an electric buffer will be doing the dirty work.

sounds like the recpie for Cajun Fried Turkey!!!
I would think twice about this.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

I'm careful not to stand on a wet floor when I run my buffer! You da man!!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

Thanks for all the replies.

I am at a private dock, so no lift is available. I will have to do it in the water, and yes, an electric buffer will be doing the dirty work.

People do it all of the time at our marina. I see them wrapping/taping the plug connections with plastic bags prior to going to work and then suspending the cords with bungees from the boat cleats.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

People do it all of the time at our marina. I see them wrapping/taping the plug connections with plastic bags prior to going to work and then suspending the cords with bungees from the boat cleats.

That's what I did, but next time I'm going to wrap the connections with Rescue Tape. Waterproof seal.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

and if you drop the buffer?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

and if you drop the buffer?

WalMart, Harbor Freight, Target, Lowes Home Depot...did I leave any out?

Hopefully, if it falls, it will fall into the inflatable. If not, well...you probably needed a new one anyway!

Personally, I've never dropped one when I was buffing out of the water, but then again, I was on solid footing. Maybe use that waterproof tape to tape it to your hands!!

 

[sasto]

Re: Buff and Wax while in Water

I've used suction cups with a handle found at most marine stores to keep myself close to the boat. They also work great cleaning the scum line while you are in the water.

Good Luck!