Any new solutions??

[rpell1@msn.com]

Hi all,

Just wondering if there are any new solutions to prop and shaft fouling that actually work?

I have only been able to delay growth by polishing, greasing, painting....etc., etc., etc., the prop and shaft.

The problem of inactivity is the cause. I only motor to get in and out of my slip and the common channel. From that point on, I am ALWAYS under sail. So.....growth has all the time in the world to complete "new construction" projects.

Happy Sailing all.........

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Old solution but it works - Petit Prop Zinc antifouling spray can. I know of no one who used it according to the directions to have a problem. It isn't foolproof but it reduces growth and critters measurably.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Thanks, but I've tried it. Carefully followed directions and only managed to get barely one more month before diving. I (and a million other sailors) need a longer term remedy. Keeping in mind that at my age, diving is becoming a less desireable solution.

 

[DougM]

There's always the smart aleck reply ..... sail in fresh water??
Sorry, i'm no help, but its possible that one of these days I will be facing the same problem if I move my boat to Chesapeake Bay

 

[navigator97]

I second Don's comment on the Pettit Zinc Barnicle Barrier spray on paint. I just put it on again for the 3rd season. better results than anything prior.

 

[BobM]

I third the motion

I second Don's comment on the Pettit Zinc Barnicle Barrier spray on paint. I just put it on again for the 3rd season. better results than anything prior.

I have been using just any old zinc galvanizing spray for the last four years. It hasn't had any negative impact and it keeps the little buggers to a minimum. They don't go away entirely though.

Bob

 

[Sailm8]

Not trying to be a smart ass but have you considered hiring a diver for a year round term? My diver gives me reports about the condition of the bottom paint, changes the zinc and doesn't rip me off. Well worth the money.

 

[Cool Beans]

you could always convert to an outboard on a retractable bracket

I second the diver idea. . .I don't even have mine come around every month. . .once in spring, once in the summer after any blooms. . .the in the fall. . .works fine so far, only like $70 a cleaning.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Not trying to be a smart ass but have you considered hiring a diver for a year round term? My diver gives me reports about the condition of the bottom paint, changes the zinc and doesn't rip me off. Well worth the money.

If you don't use your engine much, and you continue to have these same issues, what makes you think things will change?

My diver and I discussed the "regularity" of his visits. 6 months is too long here, quarterly works real well.

Get a diver or do it yourself with a wet suit. I used to, but have a fellow who comes every three months, and things are just fine.

Your boat, your choice.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

The change I'm looking for Stu is perhaps a new product. Of course I don't expect anything other than the status quo without one.

I think I mentioned that I am tired of diving and truthfully, I'm too damned cheap to go out and hire someone to do what I can do.........even though I don't want to anymore.

If you don't use your engine much, and you continue to have these same issues, what makes you think things will change?

My diver and I discussed the "regularity" of his visits. 6 months is too long here, quarterly works real well.

Get a diver or do it yourself with a wet suit. I used to, but have a fellow who comes every three months, and things are just fine.

Your boat, your choice.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

....just looking for some "miracle" that would save the hassle.

Not trying to be a smart ass but have you considered hiring a diver for a year round term? My diver gives me reports about the condition of the bottom paint, changes the zinc and doesn't rip me off. Well worth the money.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Ran into a guy when I had my GS in the yard who had his prop electroplated with copper. He swore by it but I don't know how well it works.

 

[Warren Milberg]

My experience (good) with Petit Zinc Barnacle Coat spray is that success depends on how many coats (I put on 3) you apply to a really clean and bright prop and shaft and, perhaps most importantly (at least in my case), success -- or failure -- is directly proportional to the rpms you generally cruise at. Two years ago, I used to cruise at about 2600-2800 rpms and it wore off all the Petit spray by the end of the season and I had a lot of hard growth on the prop/shaft. last year, I throttled back to the 2200-2400 rpm range and had absolutely no growth at all on the prop and shaft. Not a scientific test, of course, but it worked for me....

 

[cbsura]

I have a Volvo saildrive with an aluminum prop so this may not work for you, but I have had great results the past two years with nonmetallic econea anti fouling. I used 4 coats of Primocon followed by 2 coats of Pettit Ultimate Eco. I have also used the zinc barnacle spray in the past and the econea works much better for me.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

I've already tried 4 coats of Primocon (to isolate the bronze prop) followed by 2 coats of anti-fouling.............It slowed growth by 3-4 weeks. Good, but not great. RPMs might help a little.....Worth a try. Thanks for the input.

 

[cbsura]

Ralph, I didn't mean any old antifouling -- the barnacles in LIS seem to be immune to copper lately (and other metal based paints like Trilux). I meant specifically to try one of the new nonmetallic paints made with econea. Pettit makes Utima Eco and Interlux has Pacifica.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

I hear you. This is something I haven't tried yet. It's worth a shot. When I pull her in the fall, I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

Ralph, I didn't mean any old antifouling -- the barnacles in LIS seem to be immune to copper lately (and other metal based paints like Trilux). I meant specifically to try one of the new nonmetallic paints made with econea. Pettit makes Utima Eco and Interlux has Pacifica.

 

[berner73]

Will be trying this next season. Couldn't get my hands on it this year before the boat went in.

http://www.forespar.com/products/lanocote-prop-bottom.shtml

 

[gord331victoria]

this guys uses lanolin, http://www.gulf32aeolus.blogspot.ca/2012/07/lanonlin-on-prop-really-works.html

I will try it next haul out

 

[jibes138]

I use my propeller as an oyster farm and always have fresh oysters on the half shell :>)

How about a waterproof grease rubbed on the prop, should be able to apply under water since it is waterproof. I have some quicksilver grease that is extremely thick, about like toothpaste or even more viscus. Maybe put some on a rag and just rub it on and see what happens. It will likely come off from use but is easy to reapply? I haven't tried this, just throwing it out as an idea. It's amazing the growth I get in my area, I was also thinking about epoxy coating the shaft and propeller with west system to isolate the metal from the environment, then apply a primer and regular hard bottom paint? Any thoughts on that as a method?