We recently moved from fresh water to salt water and have encountered barnacles. Two questions: 1. Is is OK to paint the propeller shaft with bottom paint to prevent the barnacles from adhering to it? 2. With what have you been successful in removing barnacles once they adhere to the boat and propeller shaft? Many thanks
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Barnacle Busters
Use an outdrive paint and primer on your shaft and prop, it still contains tin. To remove, use a scraper, utility knive or putty knive
Use an outdrive paint and primer on your shaft and prop, it still contains tin. To remove, use a scraper, utility knive or putty knive
Prop and shaft fouling
I read an article that touted anyhdrous lanolin, which is a waterproof grease refined from sheeps wool, as a barrier to marine growth. I bought a pound from an on-line pharmacy fot twenty bucks and coated the prop and shaft. I probably didn't use more than an ounce or two. I'll report the results when next I haul the boat.
I read an article that touted anyhdrous lanolin, which is a waterproof grease refined from sheeps wool, as a barrier to marine growth. I bought a pound from an on-line pharmacy fot twenty bucks and coated the prop and shaft. I probably didn't use more than an ounce or two. I'll report the results when next I haul the boat.
lanolin
Lanolin is real useful on a boat. I use it on my anchor shackles (you can easily remove the shakles a year later). Another use is on the shrouds at the swages, keeps the water out and pevents rust. As for the prop, I've never tried it, would think that it would wear off. Some watermen in the Chesapeake told me to use STP on the prop, I tried it, didn't seem to help much. Maybe they were pulling my leg. Lanolin's also great for waterproofing your deck shoes and very good for the hands.
Lanolin is real useful on a boat. I use it on my anchor shackles (you can easily remove the shakles a year later). Another use is on the shrouds at the swages, keeps the water out and pevents rust. As for the prop, I've never tried it, would think that it would wear off. Some watermen in the Chesapeake told me to use STP on the prop, I tried it, didn't seem to help much. Maybe they were pulling my leg. Lanolin's also great for waterproofing your deck shoes and very good for the hands.
part of the deal
critters growing on the bottom of your boat is all part of the deal. i do alot of scuba diving, so in the spring and fall i dive under with a 4" putty knife in one hand and a stiff brush in the other. i often go under with just a mask and snorkle to check on the prop and shaft. seems like the more you scrap it the quicker they grow back. i have been getting 2 years out of my bottom jobs. I do it myself to make sure it's done right. i have also looked at a friends boat when he hauled it out. he puts hot pepper in with his bottom paint (no joke!) and his bottom is always much cleaner than mine.
critters growing on the bottom of your boat is all part of the deal. i do alot of scuba diving, so in the spring and fall i dive under with a 4" putty knife in one hand and a stiff brush in the other. i often go under with just a mask and snorkle to check on the prop and shaft. seems like the more you scrap it the quicker they grow back. i have been getting 2 years out of my bottom jobs. I do it myself to make sure it's done right. i have also looked at a friends boat when he hauled it out. he puts hot pepper in with his bottom paint (no joke!) and his bottom is always much cleaner than mine.
CYANNE PEPPER
Don't laugh. The US Navy experimented with cyanne pepper many years ago and found it successful. You don't just haul a carrier every year to paint the bottom!!
Don't laugh. The US Navy experimented with cyanne pepper many years ago and found it successful. You don't just haul a carrier every year to paint the bottom!!
Where are you located these days?
Hi Mike & Judy, How is the cruising life treating you? We were just wondering this weekend where you are, how far south you have traveled? Were you able to avoid the affects of all the hurricanes? Would love to hear from you. Our email is tlharmer@cass.net. Best wishes and fair winds! Tom & Diane
Hi Mike & Judy, How is the cruising life treating you? We were just wondering this weekend where you are, how far south you have traveled? Were you able to avoid the affects of all the hurricanes? Would love to hear from you. Our email is tlharmer@cass.net. Best wishes and fair winds! Tom & Diane
Check recent postings!
There have been a number of recent HOW postings on this subject. Must be because people are hauling their boats this time of year and have to deal with the barnacles. I found that the two-part, tin-based outdrive paints were the best solution but they have been recently banned by the EPA. Regular copper bottom paint does not work very well unless you put a primer coat underneath to electrically isolate the top coat fom the metal of the shaft or prop. Barrier coats work well for this. Using your boat frequently will help to keep the barnacle population reduced. Don't paint under or over your shaft zincs. Someone suggested that galvanic effect of removing the shaft zincs all together will inhibit growth, but at the expense of your prop. There have been claims that Desitin, the diaper rash cream, will keep the prop and shaft clean. I have found it easy to clean my shaft and prop each year with one of those "soft" fibrous paint and varnish remover discs chucked into a hand drill. Wear a mask to protect from the dust.
There have been a number of recent HOW postings on this subject. Must be because people are hauling their boats this time of year and have to deal with the barnacles. I found that the two-part, tin-based outdrive paints were the best solution but they have been recently banned by the EPA. Regular copper bottom paint does not work very well unless you put a primer coat underneath to electrically isolate the top coat fom the metal of the shaft or prop. Barrier coats work well for this. Using your boat frequently will help to keep the barnacle population reduced. Don't paint under or over your shaft zincs. Someone suggested that galvanic effect of removing the shaft zincs all together will inhibit growth, but at the expense of your prop. There have been claims that Desitin, the diaper rash cream, will keep the prop and shaft clean. I have found it easy to clean my shaft and prop each year with one of those "soft" fibrous paint and varnish remover discs chucked into a hand drill. Wear a mask to protect from the dust.
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