Scale buildup on prop

[Randy]

I've got a buildup of scale and a few barnacles on my shaft and prop. How should I remove them? Pry off with an old screwdriver, or sand with 80 grit paper? How about preventing them from coming back--is there anything that can be safely applied to the shaft and prop to prevent a recurrence?Thanks for any ideas.Randy

 

[Jim WIllis]

Prop cleaning etc

Scraping, sanding and wirebrushing, although muriatic (pool acid) can also be used to speed things up (but careful with eye, hands, lung protection etc.)IG is has been trying to get a prop coating to protect the prop. But from what I understand from PYI (Pac Sail Expo) no one has succeeded yet. The prop whirlling around acts like sand blasting. If only barnacles could be genetically modified!I have a friend who had his prop powder coated and even THAT did not last.ALW

 

[Bill]

Cleaning frequently

I find that here in South Carolina, it's a good idea to clean the bottom every month anyway, the waters being so rich with life. So I go down with Scuba gear and get the incipient barnacles off as well. For the prop, a metal bladed putty knife does the job pretty well, especially if I catch them when their just starting. A little wet sandpaper polishes the metal if I feel inclined, though I usually don't bother.BTW, I have never let the boat be taken out of the water without an immediate bottom cleaning. I learned from others that if you allow barnacles to dry out, they become a permanent fixture. Hope that helps.

 

[Larry W.]

Prop cleaning

Randy; If you're going to get in the water, take a putty knife, an old glove and a handful of medium grit bronze wool. Clean and polish and get it as smooth as possible. I wonder, is it possible to coat a shaft and prop with Teflon?

 

[Randy]

Coatings

I, too, was wondering about coating the shaft and prop with teflon, grease, vaseline, or something similar. My guess is that even the heaviest grease or other coating would be washed away after brief usage...Randy