Outdrive antifouling

[seanfoster]

Hi All,

Long time member but not been on for a good while!

I've been busy completely refurbishing my aging OMC cobra outdrive, stripped it back to bare aluminium and about to respray it.

Was a bit concerned about getting a 'showroom' finish on it but then realised it'll have to be antifouled anyway so my hard work will be covered up.

Anyway, wondering what the consensus is for antifouling an outdrive?
I will be on a mooring on the Hamble and will be using Tiger Extra for the boat, would this be ok for the leg?

I have a stainless prop and was going to leave this as it is as I'll raise it when not in use, does this sound sensible?

Not had a boat with an outdrive before so any help would be appreciated!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

My experience on the Hamble is that Antifoul on the leg is only marginally effective but better than none. Comes off the prop very quickly. You could try Propspeed on the leg and prop. Needs care in application.

Also I’d suggest you leave the leg trimmed down otherwise the trim rams are extended whilst out of use, and you’ll get barnacles growing on the moving parts.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

After 12 months, AF gone completely from props.



As launched

 

[James jameson]

Don’t use tiger on the aluminium its not suitable for Ali and will corrode your outdrive

I use hemple propnut which seems to be better than trilux from my experience

Make sure you read the data sheet on your choice of antifouling paint as many cannot be used on aluminium.

Leave an inch space between you hull antifouling and the transom shield of the outdrive

Regards the leg up or down. Depends on which way the trim rams are exposed. You ideally want them inside the housings so growth doesnt build up in on the ram, when you operate the ram and the growth goes into the body it can rip the seals causing leaks.

 

[Sianna]

I used this on my outdrive last year on the Beaulieu River and there was virtually no growth just a brown stain on them after a winter on little use, so happy to recommend the Seajet prop antifoul. its a two part epoxy base with a grey antifoul top coat. a single pack does one outdrive and prop.

SEAJET PROPELLER TRIPLE PACK VOLVO PENTA DARK GREY 0.5L

 

[seanfoster]

After 12 months, AF gone completely from props.

View attachment 190816

As launched
View attachment 190817

Thanks Graham, wow that looks like a lot of growth, did it come of easily with a jet wash?
thanks for the comment regarding the rams, I didn't think of that, glad I mentioned it!

 

[seanfoster]

Don’t use tiger on the aluminium its not suitable for Ali and will corrode your outdrive

I use hemple propnut which seems to be better than trilux from my experience

Make sure you read the data sheet on your choice of antifouling paint as many cannot be used on aluminium.

Leave an inch space between you hull antifouling and the transom shield of the outdrive

Regards the leg up or down. Depends on which way the trim rams are exposed. You ideally want them inside the housings so growth doesnt build up in on the ram, when you operate the ram and the growth goes into the body it can rip the seals causing leaks.

Thanks for the reply, I did see on other research that copper based antifouls aren't good for aluminium and had forgotten about that.

 

[seanfoster]

I used this on my outdrive last year on the Beaulieu River and there was virtually no growth just a brown stain on them after a winter on little use, so happy to recommend the Seajet prop antifoul. its a two part epoxy base with a grey antifoul top coat. a single pack does one outdrive and prop.

SEAJET PROPELLER TRIPLE PACK VOLVO PENTA DARK GREY 0.5L

Thanks for that, I did see on another post here that it was recommended, I think I'll go for that.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Thanks Graham, wow that looks like a lot of growth, did it come of easily with a jet wash?
thanks for the comment regarding the rams, I didn't think of that, glad I mentioned it!

It did jet wash off mostly, but needed more rigorous scraping in places. Not a DIY job for me, I’m happy to pay a professional. Same guy is doing my 460 Coppercoat this season. Excellent work, I’m happy to recommend if anyone wants to know.