Antifoul for log and depth transducer

stuartwineberg

stuartwineberg

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I am sure this has been asked before but I can't locate it via the search engine so apologies. The manual for my log and depth transducer warns against using solvent based antifoul and suggests using water based paint. I am planning to use Jotun for the boat and am unwilling to fork out for 2.5 litres of Micron optima just to paint the gadgets. I considered the plastilube idea that seems popular for props. Any other thoughts?

Thanks all

Stuart
 
I usually put a little silicon grease on the paddle-wheel and this works fine as I can retract it easily to clean.

I've not heard of problems with the sounder, but I use water-based Optima anyway. Hardly worth a whole tin just for that!
 
I got some Blakes water based antifoul some ten years ago and am still using the same stuff since it is a tiny amount each year. I managed to get a 3/4 litre tin so it was not too dear and it shows no sign of going off after ten year. The tin did however. It rusted through in a year and a half proving that the anti-foul was water based and the tin wasn't tin! I now have it in a large jam jar and suspect I have enough for another 20 years!
 
I have used Jotun Seaguardian for many years and always use it to paint the log paddle wheel and cover the transducer. I have not had any problems with B&G or Nasa kit.

Hope this saves you some money.
 
Only ever put a coat of whatever I,m using at the time on both, (over the last 30yrs), coincidently, last time 3yrs ago in Spain it was some, probably highly illegal, Jotun, it,s still working!
 
Thanks to all for the useful ideas. I think I will risk ordinary antifoul on the depth transducer and put some of the plastilube grease that I have for the props on the paddle wheel. The log never reads accurately anyway but that is another story

Cheers

Stuart
 
It will be interesting to see how you get on with the grease on the paddle wheel. There seem to be mixed reports when it is used on props.

Depending on the make of log you have it should be possible to adjust it to read accurately. Check the instructions that came with it for details. I recalibrated my B&G log last year and found it was reading 25% low. Adjustment was straight forward.

It is also worth checking the paddle wheel moves freely and that the spindle has not been bent by the straps when the boat is lifted.
 
Interesting comment about log calibration. It's an unusual unit by an American Company called Airmar (Model ST600) - never heard of them, it says to use water based or mineral spirits based antifoul but not ketone based. There are no directions to calibrate but the scary warning that the life of the unit for fast boats (over 10K) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif is one year might be the answer - heaven knows what a replacement service kit costs - I'll have to check

Cheers

Stuart
 
Airmar is probably the biggest manufacturer of transducers, and they make the transducers supplied by most "branded" makers.

The warning about ketone is valid, as ketones attack most plastics. However, most solvent-based antifouls don't contain ketones, they use naptha as a solvent and this is unlikely to damage plastics in typical use as an antifouling. I've been coating my log impeller and depth transducer with Micron Extra for years, without problems.
 
Stuart

I should have mentioned in a previous post that I use a child's small paintbrush to put the anti fouling paint on the paddle wheel and housing. There is less chance of getting the paint in the places where it shouldn't go.

As I said previously I will be interested to see how you get on with the grease but can't help thinking you would be better off painting the paddle wheel with anti fouling. Assuming you can withdraw the impellor unit you can always change from grease to paint during the season.

I doubt you will have to change the whole unit if it is worn, just the paddle wheel and spindle if you can get them. I also hope Amair can tell you how to recalibrate the log. If you can recalibrate the sad fact is you won't get from A to B any quicker.

Best of luck.
 
Very interesting about the trannsducer make. I did wonder about their ST600 code - sounded Raymarine to me - I bet its the same fitting. Thanks also for the advice on solvents - I now will antifoul the paddle wheel and depth transducer as suggested.

I never cease to be amazed what you folks out there know about boats. I hope one day to be able to contribute ideas more than ask questions but thanks again

Stuart
 
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