Fouled prop and shaft

[Lou 14643]

After not being able to use our boat for over a month (weather, daughter's college search visits, camp trips, etc., etc.) we tried to go out last week and were discouraged to have almost no thrust from prop. Barely eked out 1 knot against a 5 knot breeze. In gear, I could not get the engine over 2200 rpm, but in neutral ran right up to 3000. Long story short, we hauled the boat (O'Day 272) last week, and while the bottom looked great, the prop and shaft were alive and thick with barnacles. So, the question is, is there anything that can be done to avoid such a situation, other than more frequent use of the boat? Paint that won't interfere with action of zinc? Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Jim]

Sand it off

I sand the prop and shaft when I anchor in clear water. I use a drywall sanding sponge....

 

[Bay Sailor]

Hire a diver

I pay a guy $20.00 to clean my prop every month. Another diver comes by 2 - 3 times a year to replace the zincs and clean the whole boat. Its money well spent.

 

[RichH]

Barnacle Barrier

Barnacles are definitely a real problem on the Chesapeake this year.I spray on Pettit "Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier - 1792" Just spray on several thin coats each year to prevent the traditional 'barnacle ball' from growing on my prop. Works well in barnacle prevention. Other things I used to do to prevent barnacle growth: 1. remove the zinc anode. 2. added oxytetracycline to the bottom paint that I applied to the prop and shaft. 3. applied Desitin Baby Ass Cream and let it dry on for a few weeks before splashing.The best result was from the zinc removal ... the active electrochemisty probably keeping the barnacles irritated and therefore not attaching.

 

[Bill]

Trilux

Interlux Trilux Outdrive & Prop is like a clear bottom paint for the prop. I would leave the zinc bare, tape it while you spray the shaft and prop.

 

[Lou 14643]

Thanks for the responses - a couple of questions..

Thanks all for writing. Jim, unfortunately, there's not too much "clear" water here on the Chesapeake. I have dived on the boat in the past to check the zinc and give a cursory scrape, but my lungs are not big enough to keep up with the growth I had this time.BaySailor, not sure if we've got divers in our area. I'll ask around, certainly a good idea at the price you mention.Rich, I'm intrigued with your solutions. I've heard of the Desatin (zinc oxide) strategy, but also heard that it only last until the engine is used for a good while, then all wears off. Sounds like you have different expereince. Also sounds, if I'm reading your message correctly, that you totally eliminate the zinc anode in favor of the "1792 barrier coat." Is this right? Will take a leap of faith, but I'll look into it next year.Thanks again, all!Hope things cool off soon.

 

[RichH]

Not really .... sorry for the confusion

".....if I'm reading your message correctly, that you totally eliminate the zinc anode in favor of the "1792 barrier coat.".....I now use the 1792 method exclusively with the best results vs. barnacles ... but I still use the zinc anodes. With respect to the zinc. .... twice in the past few years I lost my zinc(s) and at both times I had NO barnacles attaching to the prop/strut, etc. .... probably there was a slight flow of electrons that 'irritated' the barnacles and prevented them from growing, and even with the loss of the zinc I had no electrolysis damage to prop and strut (lucky, i guess).

 

[Jim]

Chesapeake, ick

Just kidding it nice if you like it hot with no air.you only need a foot to see your prop. You can get it done.

 

[Lou 14643]

Jim, I won't argue about mid-summer....

by I don't think you can argue that the Chesapeake is spectacular in the spring and fall. Note, I'm not saying it is the best, as I know from chartering lots of other places that each has their charms. If I could snap my fingers, I'd take Maine in a heartbeat.

 

[MoonSailer]

Epoxy coat then antifouling paint

I haven't done this but a dock mate at Panama city swears by it. I tried paint directly on the prop and shaft and it didn't work. Gary said the secret was expoxy paint first. It does seem that the zinc interferes with bttom paint. The epoxy may form a barrier to stop galvanic action. I am in freshwater now but plan on the epoxy -antifoul when I head back to the coast next summer.  There are lots of divers working the Panama city area and they do a great job cleaning and will replace the zincs. While I was there I would take a mask and snorkle and use my dive knife to scrape barnacles off of the prop and shaft every month or two. Sometimes I'd finish the job with those green scrubing pads or sandpaper.

 

[CA75767]

FOULED PROP

I'VE BATTLED THE SAME FOULING PROBLEM FOR YEARS. I FINALLY FOUND A PRODUCT THAT ACTUALLYWORKS. IT IS CALLED PROP SPEED. NOT CHEAP, BUT IT WORKS. I HAVE A CATALINA 42 ON CAPE CODAND HAVE FOLLOWED THE DIVING RITUAL FOR YEARS. PUT PROP SPEED ON THIS SPRING AND AS OFYESTERDAY THE PROP AND SHAFT ARE FREE OF ALL FOULING. USUALLY I WOULD HAVE PERFORMEDTHREE OF FOUR SCRUBBINGS BY THIS TIME. WEST HAD THIS PRODUCT IN THEIR CATALOGUE, BUT AGOOGLE SEARCH WILL PRODUCE SOME LOCAL VENDORS. BUY THE SMALLEST KIT AVAILABLE. EVENIT WILL COAT FOUR 18' PROPS AND SHAFTS SO GO IN WITH SOME FRIENDS AND SAVE SOME MONEY.ITS A TWO STEP PROCESS , EASY TO APPLY, BUT HEED THE DIRECTIONS.