minimising prop fouling - how?

PaulR

PaulR

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from others posts seems to be a huge variety of pet methods to try and minimise fouling of prop including:-

1 leave it highly polished
2 lanolin coat the polished prop
3 antifoul it
4 cover the polished prop with black stove paint stuff?

have tried each over the years and none seem much better or worse than the others - one weekend away from relaunch so got to make mind up and go with one - has anyone had particular success with any or the above - boat based mooring in gosport - prop is a folding gori
 
I wouldn't consider your No.4. Stove black is graphitic, which is a conductor that has its place in the galvanic series. You just might get corrosion of the prop surface.

Otherwise, I'm sure you have read all the posts. Burnishing sounds promising but a lot of effort on a folding or feathering prop. I've never had any marked success with any forms of antifouling, boot-topping etc. so I give it a brush underwater every couple of weeks.
 
I have never found any formula that really works. using the boat regularly seems to make a big difference though. One year when we did not use the boat for about an 8 week stretch we found that the prop had effectively turned into a brick, such was the extent of the barnacle fouling. Running the engine produced a lot of turbulance, but no movement.

Currently I just lob a load of grease onto the prop, not sure if it makes a real difference, but I feel better for trying.
 
We have a Gori 3 blade folder and tried Propshield - after the first year the prop was fouled, not too badly, and we did use the boat a lot. A big plus was that the prop was very easy to clean with a wooden scraper and there was gleaming metal underneath - just like new. Will report on the second year in a few weeks time!
 
I will be interested to hear how you get on with Propshield as I have taken my 2 bladed Bruntons Varifold home to apply Propshield.

I am following the Propshield application instructions to the letter and will see how it performs & report back at the end of the year.
 
My boat is Gosport-based and I have antifouled the prop every year except one, when I used Lancoat. That year I had the worst fouling,
 
I polished my prop and used propguard. Only one barnacle last year and I keep her in Haslar creek. The prop does accumulate a lot of weed but some vigorous engine work seems to wash it off. She's been in all winter and I can still see some red under the grey mush that currently seems to cover the prop. She's due out at the end of April for a bum clean and antifoul...I'll re-do the prop then and post my findings.
 
I use International Trilux (VC) -Prop-O-Drev

'A low friction antifouling with Teflon®. It is ideal for use on outdrives, propellers, trim tabs etc, where the aerosol container ensures easy application of the antifouling to awkward areas. It is suitable for use on aluminium .'

I have an aluminium prop (Outboard in well)

With the prop I have same attitude to antifouling as for hull - it will foul whatever I put on it, but with this stuff it is easy to scrub it off.

It takes me 5 mins to jump in and buff it up a treat!

Should mention that every couple of years it starts to come off and I have to sand down and touch it up
 
[ QUOTE ]
I will be interested to hear how you get on with Propshield as I have taken my 2 bladed Bruntons Varifold home to apply Propshield.

I am following the Propshield application instructions to the letter and will see how it performs & report back at the end of the year.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have used propshield on my Bruntons for the last 2 years, its nothing better than ok imo, but better than putting on antifouling which I did the previous year which I regret as it meant i could not buff it up, which I think might be the best way forward.
 
Before launching I hand-polish with a Scotchbrite pad and ACF 50, a long-lasting protective lubricant used on aircraft and motor-bikes. I have had no fouling on the blades, and no more than a couple of tiny barnacles on the hub in three years.
Available at many motor-bike dealers, or on-line: more expensive than WD40, etc, but a little goes a long way.
It works for me, but the boat is quite well used (about 2K nm p.a.) and that does help.
 
Am I the only one who leaves the thing alone and doesn't seem to suffer much in the way of fouling? Have been on a swinging mooring in Portsmouth Harbour and recently a Gosport mooring. Boat used every 2 or 3 weeks in the season and occasionally in the winter. On piles twice a year for a wash & antifoul of the hull in the Spring.
 
Do you have a zinc on the prop/shaft?
I used to have very little fouling on my old two-bladed prop for quite a number of years. Then I fitted a screw-on zinc anode on the shaft threads behind the nut – and suddenly barnacles began to grow.
Now I have a feathering prop and don't dare beeing without the anode. Fouling is counteracted with swimming mask and scotchbrite.
Conclusion: You could trade the risk of some prop dezincification for getting rid of much of the problem.
 
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