Latitude affects boat hull cleaning schedules. It is more important than season of the year.

We asked 23 Californian and 4 Mexican in-water hull cleaners how often they cleaned boat hulls with copper antifouling paint. We expected that seasons would have a big influence. Instead, geography was the most important factor.

The most common hull cleaning frequencies year-round were: 1 time per three-month season in the San Francisco Bay area and Central Coast; 3 times per season in the South Coast and San Diego area; and 4 times per season in Mexico (Baja California peninsula). 

Hull cleaning before departing and returning is important for preventing transport of aquatic invasive species along our coastline.

For more economic survey results on hull cleaning and boat repair services along the California and Baja California coasts, see our report, "Crossing Boundaries: Managing Invasive Species and Water Quality Risks for Coastal Boat Hulls in California and Baja California." It’s available for download from the publications page of our Coastal Resources website.