HDPE (RudderCraft) rudder without bottom paint

[Hayden Watson]

I am looking into replacing my fiberglass on foam rudder for an HDPE rudder made by RudderCraft. They tell me that many people are using them without bottom paint in saltwater. The idea is that given the very smooth finish they provide, nothing will stick to the rudder. Hard growth cannot get a foothold and soft growth can be brushed off with a deck brush.
Anyone with personal experience with an HDPE rudder or other underwater items without any bottom paint willing to share their experience?

 

[rgranger]

I had a HDPE RudderCraft rudder on a Balboa 26. I did not leave it in the water much and mostly trailer launched the boat. But I can say the rudder was always perfectly clean. Also the lift from the rudder was noticeably better than my stock rudder. The result was you did not drag the rudder as much to steer and the boat sailed a little faster... at least it sailed faster in my head.

 

[AaronD]

We have an HDPE RudderCraft rudder on our C-22. Well made, and a definite winner of an upgrade. Our transom-mount rudder flips up completely out of the water, and we usually remember to flip it up before leaving the boat, so we don't have a lot of experience with growth. But we did forget once or twice. It did attract some growth, but it wiped off pretty easily (IIRC, with just a damp rag - I didn't even have a brush of any sort handy).