Bottom Sanding Hack To Save Your Back

Learn how to modify an orbital sander to let the ground hold the tool's weight, instead of sacrificing your back.

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Instead of holding a sander above your head for hours, use a foam block, boat hook and zip ties to create a support. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)
Instead of holding a sander above your head for hours, use a foam block, boat hook and zip ties to create a support. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

If you own an older sailboat, you’ve most likely had the dubious joy of working on the bottom. Perhaps multiple coats of bottom paint have started to peel and need attention. Or damage to the keel due to an inadvertent grounding. Or possibly the big one—blister repair. If you’re really unlucky, all three need attention. After all, it is an old boat.

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Bert Vermeer
As a coastal cruiser (and occasional racer), Bert Vermeer has sailed the coast of British Columbia for more than 40 years. With his wife Carey and daughter Nicky (and eventually granddaughter Natasha) in tow, Bert has gained an appreciation for the fabulous cruising grounds of the Canadian west coast. Based on his experience as a hands-on boater, he established a marine-based business after completing his police career. He now maintains, renovates and upgrades sail and power boats for local and non-resident owners in the off-season.

5 COMMENTS

    • The harness isn’t a bad idea, certainly more flexibility. But the weight of the sander would still need to be supported by your legs and lower back, particularly when crouching down under the hull. And yes, I did look at soda blasting as well as sand blasting with a water pick-up, but the costs were more than I was willing to bear. I had the time and patience and it worked out well in my circumstances. It’s also the second time I’ve done it on the same size hull (same model boat) so I knew what I was getting into.

  1. I can’t think of a reason why the sander is not attached to a vacuum. Link the hose to the poer cord and it does not get in the way. Yes, it is tented and yes the operator is wearing a mask, but the sander-mounted filter is not that good (I have the same sander) and he is going to get dust in his eyes. Use a vacuum with either perforated paper or mesh pads made for this purpose, and wear googles or at least glasses.

  2. Thank you for the Tips. Excellent hull sanding tips by all. I’m planning to sand, prepare and reapply Anti fouling Ablative paint on our 2006 41 DS when the weather gets a bit warmer here in RI.
    I agree with the comment on eye and breathing protection and have ordered a full face dust and particle mask from Amazon, relatively inexpensive when it will be used every season. The Zip tie tip is a great idea thank you.
    I also agree the sander should be hooked up by hose to a vacuum cleaner to greatly prevent the Anti fouling particles from entering the ground water, even if the area is tented and base tarp is used and this is a requirement at our Marina.

  3. I have a modification that makes the height setting adjustment automatic as you sand.
    Drill a hole in the center of a board 2½ in x 3ft.
    Place a washer over the end of the pole and into the hole in the board.
    Attach the sander to one end of the board.
    Notch other end of board.
    Tie both ends of a Bunge cord to center of pole.
    Slip the middle of the Bunge into the notch.