Prep for prop and shaft

[Norm]

In prepping my boat for spring, I've stripped a lot of old bottom paint off my bronze shaft and prop. I assume the build up of paint (I didn't have much hard growth on the prop and shaft)reduces the performance of my boat under power? Is that right? How do others prep their shaft and props? Do you paint them with bottom paint or not? If you do use bottom paint, what works better than others?

 

[Ed Hanley14076]

Prop and shaft coating

Anything on a prop that differs from a hard, smooth, shiny surface degrades it. A hard racing bottom paint, probably does less harm than other paints, but nothing legal lasts very long, and a half dozen dime-size barnacles can take a full knot off a 30' boat. I use STP. Put it on a cloth in a ziplock bag, jump in and wipe on prop and shaft. Repeat monthly. Any growth you do find will be very lightly bonded. Keep this a secret between us - the SaveTheBay mob will accuse you of polluting.

 

[draks]

prop prep

Norm,I haven't found anything that lasts a whole season on the Chesapeake. The best system I've used is the interlux two part clear outdrive antifouling spray. This lasts about one month longer than most other systems I've used. Good luck.Fair winds,SteveS/V Aurelia

 

[Rob]

This works on the Chesapeake

1. Sand the prop and shaft bright using a coarse grade of emery cloth. 2. Immediately wipe down with alcohol. 3. Apply one THIN coat of properly thinned Interlux brand Vinyl Lux Prime Wash4. Allow Prime Wash to dry at least 1 hour but no more than 12 hours. 5. Apply 3 coats of Interlux brand Interprotect 2000E barrier coat. 6. Apply 2 or 3 coats of a hard bottom paint You can do all of this in a period of 3 or 4 days and will only have to give an hour or so of your time each day so you can take care of lots of other projects as well. The process seems excessive, but I think the results are well worth it. Good luck!!