It it can lay on its side without any likely damage occuring then this is as good a way as any, keep doing it like that.

Depending on how thick the antifoul is you may be better off using a long handled pull scraper to remove most of the thick gunk and them finish it off with the orbital sander. A pull scraper is better than a push scraper because it allows for better feel and effort control, a push scraper could see you gouging huge gouges into the gel coat.

This is how I did it . About half way down the thread. The electric scraper

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/another-bottom-paint-question-should-i-remove-it/#1482220

I did the same. I rescued a Careel 18, it was a mooring minder. She had plenty of antifouling on the bottom. I didn't want to sand because of the dust and I shore as hell didn't want to scrape without some assistance. I used a product called "Hullstrip" basically its a gel paint stripper which you apply then cover with a paper type product to stop it from drying out. Leave over night, then go for it using scraper ( not the sharp type) I think I even used the red plastic plaster ones from your hardware store, various sizes and cheap. Comes off fairly easily but don't over commit. I did it in 4 parts. I didn't need to repaint after. I think from memory there was about 4-5 coats of antifoul. Wash off the residue after with water, wet sand down with a very fine paper and some polish. she turned out good as new. As with any type of antifoul removal remember to wear protective clothing, gloves and any other safety gear.
I did it on the trailer, did as much as I could then shifted it back half a metre so I could get to where the rollers sat. you having it off the trailer will be a breeze.
I miss my Careel. She was a project from the start. Mooring minder to top 5 nationals boat and now down in Hobart hopefully still racing.
very rewarding experience. go for it.

mjames said...
I did the same. I rescued a Careel 18, it was a mooring minder. She had plenty of antifouling on the bottom. I didn't want to sand because of the dust and I shore as hell didn't want to scrape without some assistance. I used a product called "Hullstrip" basically its a gel paint stripper which you apply then cover with a paper type product to stop it from drying out. Leave over night, then go for it using scraper ( not the sharp type) I think I even used the red plastic plaster ones from your hardware store, various sizes and cheap. Comes off fairly easily but don't over commit. I did it in 4 parts. I didn't need to repaint after. I think from memory there was about 4-5 coats of antifoul. Wash off the residue after with water, wet sand down with a very fine paper and some polish. she turned out good as new. As with any type of antifoul removal remember to wear protective clothing, gloves and any other safety gear.
I did it on the trailer, did as much as I could then shifted it back half a metre so I could get to where the rollers sat. you having it off the trailer will be a breeze.
I miss my Careel. She was a project from the start. Mooring minder to top 5 nationals boat and now down in Hobart hopefully still racing.
very rewarding experience. go for it.

I did the same but made a scraper from a mattock handle with a hand plane blade inserted. That way you can use both hands properly. It was by far the easiest way that I tried.

Shotchas said...
The question is: Why would a trailer sailer need anti fouling, is it kept on a mooring?

Some were, especially if the owner had a mooring outside his waterfront home.

crustysailor said...
Unfortunately, scraper, gloves, mask is the only way to do it.

Actually, Bubble's suggestion of electric scraper looks pretty good to me!

Elbow said...
thanks for all the comments. I went to Masters and bought a pull scraper for $12.95 it works well. I am tripping to just get down to the gel coat and no further and it is a very slow process as the roundness of the hull means that the scraper only cover about a cm each pass.
I have been looking at the Hullstrip but can not find it anywhere.

If the scraper were to be able to scrape to its full width rather than just a 1 cm strip I doubt you would have the strength to pull it through several layers of paint. Slow and steady is what gets the job done.