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Is the SMACO S700 Mini Scuba Tank and Compressor Worth It for DIY Hull Cleaning at Anchor?
October 11, 2025 · 16 min · 3K views · Helford River
What this video covers
To clean the hull of a 42-foot Westsail 42 at anchor, the crew used a 2-liter Smaco S700 mini scuba tank and a portable electric compressor.0:12 The process required six 20-minute dives, with each refill taking 45 minutes.10:28 Because the compressor requires a 10-minute cooling period after 25 minutes of operation, the total cleaning process spanned several days.14:51 To maintain neutral buoyancy at 1 to 2 meters depth while wearing a 7mm wetsuit in the cold waters of the Helford River, the diver used 15 pounds of lead weight.2:57 A suction handle provided stability against the hull, while a life ring tethered to the stern served as a safety precaution against the river's strong currents.3:58 The diver utilized a brush and a wallpaper scraper to remove growth and barnacles.4:14 This gear is intended only for shallow, short-duration maintenance tasks like cleaning propellers or inspecting through-hulls and requires proper scuba certification for safe use.12:29
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