My props have caught the pox

[AdeOlly]

Three weeks ago had a swim around the boat and generally little fouling on hull and the outdrives and props completely clear except for a few tube wormy things where I'd missed with the lanolin. Last Thursday felt that I'd lost a knot or two. On return to marina checked the props again and they were covered with literally hundreds of what I can only describe as mini white barnacles, about 1-2 mm across. Wouldn't budge with finger pressure, so I'll be attacking them with brushes and harsh language.

I've never had these things before; anybody else been infected? Also, any tips for the most effective tools to remove them appreciated, bearing in mind they're painted ali duoprops and I don't want to damage the paint if I can help it.
Thanks

 

[Petrolia]

I got them on the old Nimbus and asked the forum about prevention ?

I suggested kicking up the drives and putting a heavy duty black poly bag or something over the props and tying tight. Don't think the critters like the dark.

Someone else said they had seen it done although I haven't. Sold boat shortly after. Cheap & maybe worth a try

Don't forget to take the bags off before you start up though /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[D3B]

anything like this

or this

I'm not in Chi but we have thses little beaties on the East Coast and they are a pain in the arris

 

[AdeOlly]

No, they're more like pin heads than tubes, but mebbe that's what they'll grow into? I'll take a pic when I'm next down with the underwater camera.

 

[Kipper]

Do you have stainless steel props?

 

[AdeOlly]

No, they're ali and painted with Volvo black paint.
The lanolin must've worn off the props, which is not at all surprising, as the rest of the drives are still fairly clean.

 

[Kipper]

Not seen that on painted props up here but on my stainlesones i use a wood spatula every couple of months to get little barnicles off ok.

 

[peterb26]

Didnt someone on here have exactly the same problem in Chichester Marina? Might be worth a search.

 

[Questor]

Yep, it was I. I'd never seen it so bad. I spent several hours cleaning the stuff off, and touch wood, it doesn't seemed to have returned. It was only on the black painted props. The bowthruster is probably covered, as is pretty ineffective at the moment. I was considering beaching the bow at East Head sometime, and taking a proper look.

 

[Mister_Smee]

Last season on the River Itchen in Southampton we had massive problems with these little suckers.
It's amazing just how quick they multiply (faster than rabbits at a swingers party /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif)