I have purchased a boat that was in need of a lot of work. I have finished most of the interior and most of the big and little issues. The boat sails well and is water tight. I recently spent three full days on the water with a cup full of water coming out of the bung at the end so I am happy with that.
I am at the point of removing the Anti foil paint from the bottom as it is pretty worn and will be repainting with 2 pac. As this is a Trailer Boat I have been told it is the best idea.
I am using a orbital sander with 80 grit paper and sometimes 60 grit but it seems to be taking a lot of time and effort to remove from the fibreglass hull. I also so have a few Blisters to fix which is why I want to do this now.
The trailer has too many parts that make it hard to get too so I have taken the boat off and have put it on a bit of an angle so I can get to one side at a time.
Is this the best way to go or is there some secret apart from paying someone to do it for me.
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.
I'm in the middle of doing the same thing, only having a little break due to straining my back with all the bending and twisting. This is what I use for scraping.
It's a Bahco pull scraper with tungsten carbide blade. Grind the corners off the blade to stop gouging the gel coat.
I've scraped and sanded one side, took off about 40kgs of old anti foul. Halfway through scraping the other side, then still have to sand it. I bought a 350W Ozito orbital 1/2 sheet sander from Bunnings for $49. I paid more for the scraper and blade!
I'll be bloody glad when it's finished!
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
Select to expand quoteShotchas said...
I'm in the middle of doing the same thing, only having a little break due to straining my back with all the bending and twisting. This is what I use for scraping.
It's a Bahco pull scraper with tungsten carbide blade. Grind the corners off the blade to stop gouging the gel coat.
I paid more for the scraper and blade!
I'll bet ya that you will have the Bahco even after you have gone through half a dozen Ozitos 
Put a longer handle on it so that you can use both hands to pull and control pressure, just needs to be a bit of timber and hose clamps to hold it on.
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.
Select to expand quoteShotchas said...
I'm in the middle of doing the same thing, only having a little break due to straining my back with all the bending and twisting. This is what I use for scraping.
It's a Bahco pull scraper with tungsten carbide blade. Grind the corners off the blade to stop gouging the gel coat.
I've scraped and sanded one side, took off about 40kgs of old anti foul. Halfway through scraping the other side, then still have to sand it. I bought a 350W Ozito orbital 1/2 sheet sander from Bunnings for $49. I paid more for the scraper and blade!
I'll be bloody glad when it's finished!
you got a cheap boat there stop complaining and get on with it Ha Ha 
Select to expand quotemjames 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.
The question is: Why would a trailer sailer need anti fouling, is it kept on a mooring?
Select to expand quoteShotchas 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.
Unfortunately, scraper, gloves, mask is the only way to do it.
That's the best scraper to use. They used to have a bigger brother, with wider blade but I have seen one for ages anymore.
Sanding antifoul is a total waste of time, yet plenty still have a go.
Once scraped, 120 grit on the orbital will get the blemish off, epoxy fill any gouges from the scraper, wash down, then epoxy barrier coat twice.
Bunnings have a good wax and grease remover in a 4lt too.
Select to expand quotecrustysailor said...
Unfortunately, scraper, gloves, mask is the only way to do it.
Actually, Bubble's suggestion of electric scraper looks pretty good to me!
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.
Select to expand quoteElbow 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.
