my prop what next

my prop what would you do next

Please forgive the stupid question but does having a shiny prop give you any advantage? Mines got a few half eaten barnacles on it.

Should these be removed? If so how do you maintain your prop what are the best tools?

Genuine questions as I've never considered prop maintenance before.
 
my prop

i dont know i just sand it down then wire wool it thats all i do it dont seem to bad after 9 months but thats just me
 
I'd print the photo and frame it! !-)

I've tried hard antifouling, boot top paint and lanoline - but nothing seems better than just polishing it now and again. Important to get the secretions from barnacles et al off as the chemicals in them attract others of their ilk, like a calling card. Wish I could find a diver willing to go underneath and buff it up from time to time.

Rob.
 
When I had a fixed prop I found "Prop-O-Dev" reasonably effective. However, I now have a folding prop and did not want to paint it so I have used "Dr Barnacles Grease" which has been reasonably good although not a perfect solution.
 
I'm lucky in not having a fixed prop', but on reading these forums and observing what people at my club do, it seems a polished prop' is the way to go.

I did read somewhere that the blade surface should be kept as mirror-smooth shiny as poss', avoid scratchy abrasive methods.
 
Sorry to spoil the admiration but you are only half way there, because the wire wool has scratched the surface and provides an ideal key for stuff to stick to. Next stage is to rub down with wet/dry, used very wet and starting with 600grit, then 1000, then 1200 then use Brasso metal polish several times to get the final shine, with a last quick polishe just before launching.

Don't bother with expensive snake oils.
 
Get the type of prop nut that holds an anode. Shaft anodes are OK, but the best protection comes from an anode fitted as closely as possible to the prop. Look at the Beneteau type on this page.
Beneteau dealers can supply the special nut, and the anodes are easily sourced.
 
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