Antifouling Sterndrives

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Andrew38

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I am bringing my boat back from Spain next month for her to be based out of Racecourse Marine Windsor. In Spain she has been in a heavily fouling area and has therefore been antifouled accordingly. My memories of Thames boating is that the antifouling on my previous Brooms, if done properly, lasted for at least 2 years. My current boat has sterndrives and I was wondering whether boat owners actually antifouled the drives on the Thames or just kept them clean.
 
Not sure antifouling on the Thames is really necessary any old waterproof paint will be ok, I just use a cheapo antifoul. However I always put Trilux on my outdrives as they are aluminium and need protection. Also keeps them ready for the odd salty trip.
Every two years is fine generally but the biggest problem is lime scale depositing around the water line, not sure there is anyway to stop it.
 
Zebra mussels are problem on the Thames. Last year, mine were covered in them.
I've seen them from Abdingdon to Teddington. Some dumped bikes were fished out by Teddington lock last summer and they were encrusted.
 
Zebra mussels are a real pain where we are based (not on the Thames. Burton Waters, lincoln)

Even so we don't bother antifouling our drives. The worst we get is a layer of slime which washes off easily enough and a few mussels to pick out of the crevices once a year when the boat is lifted.
 
Previous antifouling still appears to function over three years with minimal slime in the upper Thames. Could probably do another year in my experience...
 
I have VP280 outdrives , Thames based. I recommend Trilux. Good for 2 years for sure.
 
Andrew38 said:
Interesting but not really very helpful about antifouling sterndrives as there's no way I'm changing the boat
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Yes, anti foul. If your drives are aluminium, don't use a copper based paint. And ignore the silly comments.
My sterndrives have been plodding up and down the Thames(with the occasional channel crossing thrown in)since 1970.
Shaft owners are just jealous because they can't turn on a sixpence or clear a fouled prop without a snorkel or a lift out;)
 
Actionmat said:
Yes, anti foul. If your drives are aluminium, don't use a copper based paint. And ignore the silly comments.
My sterndrives have been plodding up and down the Thames(with the occasional channel crossing thrown in)since 1970.
Shaft owners are just jealous because they can't turn on a sixpence or clear a fouled prop without a snorkel or a lift out;)
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I can turn on a sixpence, the boat has twin engines :encouragement:

I'll give you the fouled prop thing, but shafts and big bronze props tend to survive where those little paper ones you have won't :p
 
No Regrets said:
I can turn on a sixpence, the boat has twin engines :encouragement:

I'll give you the fouled prop thing, but shafts and big bronze props tend to survive where those little paper ones you have won't :p
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I probably shouldn't jinx this, but since we have switched to VP's new J series props a few years ago, we have not managed to damage a set yet despite them taking several very heavy knocks.

We are well prepared for the Thames though. We have a second brand new spare set in the anchor locker just in case!
 
Well obviously I wish you all the best of luck this season regardless of your propulsion choices!

I did have an insurance claim for props last year after picking up an extremely thick steel-wired tent/fishing canopy (Hard to tell after the event!) at Bray lock which had to be bolt-croppered and hacksawed off it was so tough, but the damage was minimal, and I only claimed because of potential resale values and it damaged the antifouling, which needed replacing and the big picture was that it was sensible to get it all done along with the anodes at zero cost. Quite a result overall (Complete Antifoul and prop repairs, anodes thrown in as they were cheap)

The steel frame was thicker than a shopping trolley frame and stopped both engines, which is no mean feat given the engine size (165hp Volvo 6 cyl)

First hit in 10 years, can't complain..... :encouragement:

Never seen anything like it, and hope I never do again!
 
No Regrets said:
Well obviously I wish you all the best of luck this season regardless of your propulsion choices!

I did have an insurance claim for props last year after picking up an extremely thick steel-wired tent/fishing canopy (Hard to tell after the event!) at Bray lock which had to be bolt-croppered and hacksawed off it was so tough, but the damage was minimal, and I only claimed because of potential resale values and it damaged the antifouling, which needed replacing and the big picture was that it was sensible to get it all done along with the anodes at zero cost. Quite a result overall (Complete Antifoul and prop repairs, anodes thrown in as they were cheap)

The steel frame was thicker than a shopping trolley frame and stopped both engines, which is no mean feat given the engine size (165hp Volvo 6 cyl)

First hit in 10 years, can't complain..... :encouragement:

Never seen anything like it, and hope I never do again!
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I have the feeling that with twin D6 370 hp the damage to the props might be such that the props would be absolutely totalled if we hit something like that. At least with sterndrives you can lift them for close in mooring and the joystick/bowthruster combination makes for easy work in the locks
 
No Regrets said:
Well obviously I wish you all the best of luck this season regardless of your propulsion choices!

I did have an insurance claim for props last year after picking up an extremely thick steel-wired tent/fishing canopy (Hard to tell after the event!) at Bray lock which had to be bolt-croppered and hacksawed off it was so tough, but the damage was minimal, and I only claimed because of potential resale values and it damaged the antifouling, which needed replacing and the big picture was that it was sensible to get it all done along with the anodes at zero cost. Quite a result overall (Complete Antifoul and prop repairs, anodes thrown in as they were cheap)

The steel frame was thicker than a shopping trolley frame and stopped both engines, which is no mean feat given the engine size (165hp Volvo 6 cyl)

First hit in 10 years, can't complain..... :encouragement:

Never seen anything like it, and hope I never do again!
Click to expand...

We have never claimed for prop damage or shaft seal damage. Has never seemed worth it for what it costs us to repair it anyway.

Had to have our first claim last year when we suffered storm damage in Scotland year. Have to say we were impressed with how the insurers dealt with it and if anything the boat is better now then before the claim which is a bonus. Obviously we wish it hadn't happened but it did.

Think the worse thing we have had around the props was a builders sack, the plastic fake Hessian type. Took some right cutting off and had gone between the duo props . Luckily we could lift the drive and work on it to get mobile again.
 
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