Hey, Does anybody have any suggestions for keeping the boatspeed paddlewheel spinning? I clean mine and it works fine for about three weeks then it builds up an algae layer and stops spinning. If there is a magic treatment or something that would keep it clean, I would really love to hear about it! Thanks.
Paddlewheel suggestions?
- Thread starter Sutric
- Start date
Remove the paddlewheel and install a blanking plug when the boat is not in use.
Hi,
The only magic I know is to either use GPS speed or an ultrasonic transducer.
I paint my paddlewheel (the sensor is an Airmar DST800) with antifouling paint. Even so I need to pull the paddlewheel and clean it, or dive under the boat and spin it by hand a few times before it starts to work.
Good luck,
Barry
The only magic I know is to either use GPS speed or an ultrasonic transducer.
I paint my paddlewheel (the sensor is an Airmar DST800) with antifouling paint. Even so I need to pull the paddlewheel and clean it, or dive under the boat and spin it by hand a few times before it starts to work.
Good luck,
Barry
No magic. There are some really expensive anti-fouling paints that might work. Otherwise, it is pull and clean or pull and plug after each sail.
I used to keep a toothbrush and scraper in the compartment where the thru hull was on my H356. Also a sponge. I'd advise to not wait until the paddlewheel stops turning to clean it. It should be like any scheduled maintenance. Even if it hasn't stopped it has more resistance and therefore less accuracy as it fails.
I used the blank if I was away from the boat for ...? Certainly I would leave the paddlewheel in for a weekend on the boat or a cruise. A normal week, with a Wed PM race I would probably leave it in - but clean it. I would clean it when doing the bottom, which could be as often as once every two weeks or before a weekend race.
In the area we sailed there is a good deal of current. Watching the difference between boat speed thru water vs. boat speed over bottom was a racing tactic to either take advantage of current, or mitigate adverse current. It was important to myself and to my competitors.
I used the blank if I was away from the boat for ...? Certainly I would leave the paddlewheel in for a weekend on the boat or a cruise. A normal week, with a Wed PM race I would probably leave it in - but clean it. I would clean it when doing the bottom, which could be as often as once every two weeks or before a weekend race.
In the area we sailed there is a good deal of current. Watching the difference between boat speed thru water vs. boat speed over bottom was a racing tactic to either take advantage of current, or mitigate adverse current. It was important to myself and to my competitors.
Hey, I have used dioelectric grease in the paddle wheel and case area for over 20 years with good success. Lasts about a month or two.
I use the same stuff. One bottle lasts many years. For me it keeps the slime away from early spring until at least mid summer. I’ve never tried without it as a control to compare against.
Copper ! Cover the paddlewheel with copper when the boat is docked. Closer fitting, like a cap, would be better but just a plate adjacent or suspended below the paddlewheel might work in still water.
I sail mainly in the Chesapeake Bay. I use my Garmin GPS for my speed over ground. When that isn't working, my guess is that I've just run aground. Calling Tow Boat US "Hi there, this is embarrassing but could you........." 
I normally use my depth sounder to confirm when I'm aground. So far, it's been right every time!I sail mainly in the Chesapeake Bay. I use my Garmin GPS for my speed over ground. When that isn't working, my guess is that I've just run aground. Calling Tow Boat US "Hi there, this is embarrassing but could you........."
Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to try the transductor paint and see how that goes for the first effort.