Who does the in-water hull cleaning?

A professional diver we refer you to, who works for you directly; diving is not work we do ourselves. We replace the zinc anodes we can reach and check the running gear and anodes when the boat is out of the water or on its trailer.

What does an in-water hull cleaning include?

The diver cleans the hull bottom, propellers, shafts, struts, rudder and intake grates with the boat in the water and checks the zincs (anodes). Ask the diver to tell you what they see below the waterline, such as worn paint, a damaged propeller or anodes that need replacing.

How often should my hull be cleaned?

Growth comes back quickly in Southern California harbors, so most boats are cleaned about once a month, more often in summer. A clean bottom helps speed and fuel use.

When should zincs be replaced?

When they are about half worn away. An anode that is not wearing at all may be painted over or not connected, which also needs checking.

Should I use zinc, aluminum or magnesium anodes?

In salt water use zinc or aluminum, as your engine or drive maker specifies. Magnesium is for fresh water only and wears away quickly in salt water.

Will hull cleaning harm my bottom paint?

A careful diver uses tools suited to your paint, so growth comes off without stripping it. Ablative paints wear a little with each cleaning, which is normal; if the paint is worn through, it is time to plan a bottom paint job, which we can quote.

What does zinc replacement cost?

Labor is $150 an hour, plus the trip fee for work at your boat, and the anodes are listed as parts on your written estimate. Replacing the zincs we can reach usually takes 1-2 hours. The diver's charge for in-water cleaning is separate and agreed between you and the diver.

Underwater photograph of a Breeze Marine diver

Underwater photograph of a Breeze Marine diver (2)

In-Water Hull Cleaning (Diver Referral) & Zinc Replacement

A fouled bottom costs you speed and fuel. In-water hull cleaning is done by a professional diver we refer you to, who works for you directly. We replace the zinc anodes we can reach and check them all when the boat is out of the water or on its trailer, protecting your underwater metals from corrosion.

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$150 /hr

Labor estimate Usually 1–2 hours

Book sends us a ticket; nothing is charged online. Before any work you get a written estimate for labor, parts and the trip fee, and nothing is done without your OK.

Trip fee By distance, one way: $30 in San Pedro, $50 in Long Beach

San Pedro$30
Wilmington, Terminal Island$40
Long Beach: Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor$50
Long Beach Marina, Alamitos Bay$60
Redondo Beach$60
Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour$75
Marina del Rey$85
Newport Beach$110

Farther away: $25 plus $2.50 a mile, one way from our San Pedro shop. No trip fee when the boat comes to our shop, or for plan members. The work of a visit is at least $150; the trip fee is on top.

Registered in California: Breeze Marine Boat Service LLC, San Pedro
Where we work: At your slip from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or in our San Pedro shop
Questions first: (562) 542-7296 or submit a ticket

About this service

Performance & Protection

Glide, Don't Drag.
Protect What's Underneath.

A foul bottom is a slow boat. Regular in-water cleaning by a diver we refer you to keeps the hull smooth, and fresh zinc anodes keep your metals protected from galvanic corrosion.

The Drag Penalty

Even a thin layer of slime adds drag, cutting top speed and raising fuel use, and barnacles on the prop act like tiny brakes. A clean hull and prop save fuel.

Sacrificial Zincs

Galvanic corrosion eats metal underwater. Zinc anodes are designed to corrode instead of your expensive bronze propeller and stainless shaft. When they're gone, your running gear is next, so timely zinc anode replacement matters.

Diver Referral

We refer you to a professional diver who works for you directly and cleans the bottom on a schedule you agree with them. We replace the zincs we can reach and check them all when the boat is out of the water or on its trailer.

What a Cleaning Covers.

A typical diver cleaning, from waterline to keel.

Waterline & Hull

The diver hand-scrubs the waterline and cleans the hull with pads suited to the bottom paint, removing growth without stripping the paint.

Running Gear

The diver scrapes barnacles and hard growth off the propellers, shafts, rudders and trim tabs, since they cause vibration and drag.

Zinc Inspection

Anodes (shaft, rudder, trim tab, thruster) should be replaced when they are about half worn away. Underwater, the diver can replace them; we replace the ones we can reach, and all of them when the boat is out of the water or on its trailer.

Intakes & Thrusters

The diver clears the through-hull intake grates (AC, engine raw water) and cleans out the bow and stern thruster tunnels.

The Underwater Difference.

What a clean bottom looks like.

Boat propeller before and after underwater cleaning

Corroded zinc anode compared to a new replacement

Clean hull waterline after diver cleaning

Service Scope.

A diver's cleaning covers every key underwater surface.

Surfaces Hull, Keel, Rudders, Tabs

Running Gear Props, Shafts, Struts

Systems Intakes, Transducers, Thrusters

Common Questions

How often do I need cleaning?

In Long Beach harbor, a cleaning every 3 weeks in summer (high growth season) and every 4 weeks in winter helps keep growth under control. Your diver will suggest a schedule for your boat.

Do I need to be present?

No. The diver cleans the hull at your slip without you there, and you agree directly with the diver how you get the report and photos of your zincs.

Ask for a Diver Referral.

Stop the growth. Start saving fuel.

Get in Touch

Hull Cleaning and Zincs in Long Beach CA

In-water hull cleaning is done by a professional diver we refer you to, who works for you directly and sets a recurring schedule with you, so hard growth never gets a long head start between visits. In Long Beach harbor, a cleaning every 3 weeks in summer and every 4 weeks in winter is typical. A cleaning covers the hull, waterline and keel, the running gear, the through-hull intakes and the thruster tunnels, and zincs that are about half worn away should be replaced.

You do not need to be at the slip. Send us your marina, slip number and boat length, and tell us which anodes your boat carries (shaft, rudder, trim tab or thruster). We refer you to a diver, replace the zincs we can reach, and check them all when the boat is next out of the water or on its trailer.