Below-the-waterline guides

Plain answers for boat owners and waterfront property owners in South Florida.

• Hull cleaning schedule: summer vs winter

  Frequency depends on bottom paint condition and where the boat sits. Below are the factors, and the signs that a hull is overdue.

  6 sources · updated 2026-09-29

• When to replace zincs: the 50% rule

  Zinc anodes corrode on purpose so your shafts, props and rudders do not. Here is what they do and why we replace them at about 50%.

  5 sources · updated 2026-09-29

• Prop pulling without a haul-out

  A diver can remove most props at the dock and hand them to a prop shop for scanning and balancing. The steps are below, plus the jobs that still need a haul-out.

  3 sources · updated 2026-09-29

• Barnacles on seawalls and dock pilings: what they do and when to clean

  Barnacles add weight and hide the surface of a wall or piling. Read what growth does and what a cleaning lets you see.

  3 sources · updated 2026-09-29

• Boat lift cleaning: bunks, cradles, beams and cables

  Lifts sit in the water full time and grow faster than the boats on them. These are the parts that matter.

  4 sources · updated 2026-09-29

• Pre-purchase underwater inspection: what to ask for

  Before a survey haul-out, a diver can photograph the bottom, running gear and zincs. Use this list to know what to ask for.

  1 sources · updated 2026-09-29

• Before and after a storm: boats, lifts and docks

  The official Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. Use the checklist for docks, lifts and boats before and after a storm.

  5 sources · updated 2026-09-29