How to Prep Your Boat Before the Diver Arrives

Most of what I need from you takes less than 5 minutes to set up. Clear a path to the boat, make sure I can get in the water at your slip, and let me know about any thru-hulls, running gear, or trouble spots ahead of time. That's really it.

I dive all over San Diego Bay, from Shelter Island to Chula Vista, and every marina has its own quirks with gate codes, guest parking, and dock access. A little prep on your end means I spend my time cleaning your hull instead of hunting for a way to get to it.

Key takeaways

• Gate codes and dock access should be ready before I show up, especially at guest slips or gated marinas
• Boat doesn't need to leave the slip and no haul-out is required for any of our services
• Shore power and electronics don't need to be touched, I only need clearance in the water
• 5 to 10 minutes of your time on the first visit covers almost everything I need
• Free zinc inspection happens every visit automatically, so no prep needed there

Do I need to be there when the diver shows up?

No. Most of my regular customers aren't at the boat when I dive it. I just need a way in. That usually means a gate code, a marina office that knows I'm coming, or a slip number that's easy to find from the guest dock.

If it's your first appointment with me, I'll call or text the day before to confirm timing and make sure I have whatever access info I need. After that first visit, most accounts run on autopilot. I show up on schedule, do the work, and send you a text with the video and invoice when I'm done.

If you want to meet me dockside the first time, that's fine too. Some owners like to see the boat come out of the water clean, or ask questions about their zincs or running gear in person. Either way works.

What should I move or clear off the boat?

Nothing major. I'm working underwater, not on deck, so I don't need you to clear cockpit gear or move fenders. The main things that actually matter:

Dock lines and fenders should be normal and not wrapped or tangled in a way that blocks the hull near the waterline. If you've got extra lines, floats, or a dinghy tied off right where I need to get to the hull, just give me a heads up or move it before I arrive.

If you have a swim step, boarding ladder, or dive platform, leave it down or unlocked if possible. I can usually work around a locked one but it slows things down.

What about thru-hulls, zincs, and known problem spots?

This is the one thing I actually want you to tell me about, especially on the first cleaning. If you know you've got a bow thruster, extra thru-hull fittings, a folding prop, or an area where growth builds up fast, mention it when you book. I'll find it anyway during the inspection, but it saves time if I know going in.

Same goes for anything unusual, like a recent bottom paint job, a repair, or a spot where you've noticed blistering or soft paint. I use a soft-cloth cleaning method on all antifouling paint as a baseline, but if there's a known trouble spot I'll be extra careful there and let you know what I find.

Anything specific to marinas in the copper TMDL zone or gated docks?

Shelter Island sits inside San Diego's copper TMDL zone, which affects how hull cleaning is regulated there. I hold the required San Diego In-Water Hull Cleaning Permit and follow the discharge rules for that area, so there's nothing extra you need to do on your end for that. I just wanted you to know why I might ask a couple more questions about your last bottom paint job if your slip is in that zone.

For gated marinas like some spots on Harbor Island or Coronado, just make sure the office has my name on a list if that's how your marina handles vendor access, or text me the gate code ahead of time. I keep that info on file for repeat visits so you only have to do it once.

FAQ

Do I need to move my boat out of the slip for hull cleaning? No. All of our services, including hull cleaning, zinc replacement, and inspections, are done with the boat in the slip. No haul-out needed.

How much notice do you need before the first appointment? Same-week scheduling is standard. If you're a new customer, I like at least a day or two to confirm access details, but I can often work with less if your schedule is tight.

Do I need to turn off shore power or any electronics before you dive? No, I don't need any electrical systems shut down for cleaning or zinc work. If you have specific concerns about electrolysis or bonding systems, mention it when you book and I'll take a look during the inspection.

What if my marina requires vendor insurance or a permit on file? I carry the required San Diego In-Water Hull Cleaning Permit and can provide proof of insurance if your marina office needs it. Just let me know ahead of time so I can send it over before the visit.

Will I get confirmation of what was done during the dive? Yes. Every visit includes video of the hull and running gear, and I send that along with the invoice after the job. You'll also get a free zinc inspection report every time, even if no zincs need replacing.

Ready to get on the schedule?

If you're a new customer, prepping for your first dive really just means giving me a way to reach the boat and telling me anything unusual about the hull or gear. After that, I handle the rest. Get a quote or book a hull cleaning here.

SCHEMA NOTES

FAQPage Q&As: 1. Q: Do I need to move my boat out of the slip for hull cleaning? A: No. All of our services, including hull cleaning, zinc replacement, and inspections, are done with the boat in the slip. No haul-out needed. 2. Q: How much notice do you need before the first appointment? A: Same-week scheduling is standard. If you're a new customer, I like at least a day or two to confirm access details, but I can often work with less if your schedule is tight. 3. Q: Do I need to turn off shore power or any electronics before you dive? A: No, I don't need any electrical systems shut down for cleaning or zinc work. If you have specific concerns about electrolysis or bonding systems, mention it when you book and I'll take a look during the inspection. 4. Q: What if my marina requires vendor insurance or a permit on file? A: I carry the required San Diego In-Water Hull Cleaning Permit and can provide proof of insurance if your marina office needs it. Just let me know ahead of time so I can send it over before the visit. 5. Q: Will I get confirmation of what was done during the dive? A: Yes. Every visit includes video of the hull and running gear, and I send that along with the invoice after the job. You'll also get a free zinc inspection report every time, even if no zincs need replacing.

BlogPosting summary: A practical checklist from owner-diver Gus Alves on what San Diego boat owners should do before their first hull cleaning appointment, covering dock access, gate codes, and communication tips.

Suggested images: - Alt: "Diver preparing gear dockside at a San Diego Bay marina slip before a hull cleaning appointment" - Alt: "Boat in slip at Shelter Island marina with dock lines and swim step ready for diver access"