Reflections on Power Washing the Bottom

Seven Months Later No Green Slime

Last fall, after hauling, I elected not to have the bottom power washed.  Not because I have anything against power washing, but rather because I object to paying $200 for a 15 minute job.  I had second thoughts, however, shortly thereafter because as the green bottom slime dried it curdled the ablative bottom paint into a dried-mud-looking patchwork.  Attempts to scrape the bottom clean were futile.  With visions of having to sand the whole mess off in the Spring we left Nellie for her Winter hibernation on the hard.  The intervening seven months gave me plenty of time to ponder the fateful no-power-wash decision.  The saying "penny wise and pound foolish" came to mind.  It was thus with some trepidation yesterday, after returning to Nellie, that I surveyed the hull.  To my great relief the dried-mud-looking patchwork had turned to dust.  Nothing more than a light washing will be required before applying the new bottom paint.  This whole ordeal brings to mind another saying, "Worry is a down payment on a bill that may never come due."