Tri Lux 33 prop spray does not work!

[jrowan]

Just an FYI,

I finally set out on our first sail of the season this Easter weekend, and our prop was so fouled that we couldn't hardly even reverse out of the slip. I launched our boat last May with two coats of Petit Trinidad on the hull, which looks good. Since U can't rely on bottom paint to stick to a prop, I used the expensive ($35. per spray can) of Interlux coating on the prop and running gear. After being pined to a piling by the strong current at the marina, I later had a diver check my prop: completely fouled with barnacles in less then a year. Two bladed sailing props are completely worthless when they have even a few barnacles on them. In foward gear I could barely manage 3 knots at full throttle. The diver did say that the other boats with Trinidad on their hulls generally hold up well. Too bad it's probabbly going to be made illegal to use in a few years. Just curious, what do y'all use on your props to slow fouling, since ablative paint will just blow off?

 

[Nelsonhow]

Never had any luck with ANY anti fouling paint on the prop. Polish once a year with 120 grit sand paper and then stainless steel wool when on the hard and scrape while in the water with a scraper blade 3 or 4 times a year.

 

[Tom J]

I use a primer for metal on the running gear, then paint over it with the same bottom paint as the hull. At some point during the season, though, the prop still needs to be scraped. When we had the boat in Florida, cleaning the prop was a routine chore.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

JR,

I feel ya pain pal.

The guys that responded hit the nail on the head.
Over the years I tried everything.

I don't know your sailing area, but here in florida, eapecially going in and out the inlets, the tides suspend alot of sand in the water.

The incoming tides being the strongest (especially new & full moon) can move at 4 KTS.

I know you have done sanding....well, thats what heppens to your running gear.
Just once I would like a product that holds up.

CR

 

[jsalley]

It's crazy expensive, but I have used PropSpeed for the last 4 seasons with great success in the lower Chesapeake. It lasts 2 seasons, and I can get 3 applications from the small-size kit, which still costs about $200, but not so bad spread over 6 years. After 2 years in the water, I had only a few small areas of barnacles at the hub. The application is tricky, and it is critically important to follow the instructions to the letter, but can be done yourself under appropriate temp conditions and with materials and tools all prepared in advance.

 

[Bad Obsession]

My solution is a bare prop. Yep, a bare prop.

Every few weeks when I am swimming I dive on the prop and clean it. I also clean the water line this way. Having a clean prop makes all of the difference.

I also have a three blade prop. My Catalina is a cruiser and it is nice to have the three blade when you need it!

 

[jrowan]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll just have to shell out 40 bucks per diver cleaning, or get some diving goggles that have corrective lenses. I'm blind as a bat without glasses on.
To Bad Obsession: Since you've tried a 2 verses a 3 blade prop how much engine speed did you gain with a 3 blade prop, verses sailing speed lost? I've been thinking about buying a "Sailmaster" prop that seems to have a good rep. Can't afford a folding prop.

 

[mortyd]

we never had a fouling problem, BUT last summer our diver took a powder in the middle of the summer without any notice. we got so much crud that we could hardly motor and, EVEN WORSE we had the engine water intake blocked up and had to be towed. happily we had towing insurance. it would have cost a summer of a diver if we did not. GET A DIVER.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Why get a diver? Do it yourself. I dive on mine all of the time. I use a mask and fins, that is all. I also scrub my waterline while it is in the water.

When I do overnight trips I know of a few places that usually have clearer water. I go there and anchor the boat for the night. I n the afternoon I will go swimming and scrub the boat and the prop. It is easy and a good way to cool off.

 

[jsalley]

[QUOTE="When I do overnight trips I know of a few places that usually have clearer water. I go there and anchor the boat for the night. I n the afternoon I will go swimming and scrub the boat and the prop. It is easy and a good way to cool off.[/QUOTE]

Care to share where you go to do this? I'm close to you in the Rappahannock, and everywhere here and nearby is infested with sea nettles from June through late September.

 

[mortyd]

bad obsession, the diver i use spends at least twenty minutes under my boat, if you can free dive and do the job he does, salute!

 

[Bad Obsession]

I do it in sections and parts. I dive on the prop several different times and stay under a while to scrub it.

Smith Creek is pretty clear most of the time. In the Potomac I like Canoe Neck Creek. The Coan River is pretty good sometimes too.

St. Mary's river is usually pretty descent. The Jellyfish move in there early though. If the Jellyfish get bad I wear the full wetsuit and hoodie.