- Dec 30, 2009
- 680
Lanolin doesn't work, and it doesn't last either. I've tried all kinds of things and I think zinc spray paint is just OK, and better than nothing. Pettit prop guard (a lower cost alternative to propspeed) workers OK also but it takes more time to apply the coats. I've also tried Pettit Vivid bottom paint (it's a hard ablative) and that works well but might cause electrolysis.I'm going to try lanolin on my prop this year, but we don't get the same rate of growth as in Florida!
In this case, screw practical sailer and shame on them. Far more pratical is zinc primer from your local hardware store.Practical Sailor did a test on them if you can get to it. One important note: don't paint the anode.
https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_75/features/Propeller-Paints-that-Last_12173-1.html
the same article said regular anti-fouling paint doesn't work on propsIn this case, screw practical sailer and shame on them. Far more pratical is zinc primer from your local hardware store.
Barnacles use to be a real problem when I coated our shaft and prop with anti fouling paint. Someone here was kind enough to post the results of a test at their club. Based on that I used hardware store zinc primer last spring and in the fall had a virtually barnacle free strut,prop and shaft. The 6 dollar can will last me three or four seasons. It doesn't get much more practical than that.
Seems to make sense, I don't remember barnacles attaching to my shaft zincs. Maybe zinc is toxic to them? I'll give it a try. Thanks.Based on that I used hardware store zinc primer last spring and in the fall had a virtually barnacle free strut,prop and shaft. The 6 dollar can will last me three or four seasons. It doesn't get much more practical than that.
OK, I'm not Red, but we did upgrade from a 2 to a 3 blade in 2015; motor is a Yanmar 4JH2E, boat a Hunter 40.5. The difference was significant. Motoring was noticeably smoother and we went from ~5 to ~6 knots at 2000RPM in calm seas, 10kts wind on the beam for each test.Red, assuming you upgraded from a two blade to your new shiny 3 blade, would you mind adding to this thread what engine you have and did you notice any improvement in performance once back in the water please.