Outdrives - barnacles and mussels etc

[BruceK]

Two quick questions -

1) what AF is used in the Med against barnacles successfully. Trilux 33 by the maker's own admission is no good for barnacles as I have found out (EDIT at least above the anti cavitation plate. Below is fine)

2) Do barnacles and mussels ever grow inside the drives water intakes? i.e. I have to periodically clean them out from the slits in the bottom of the drive and was wondering if alongside pressure checks if it's work splitting the drives to determine if there is anything impeding water flow. If the pressure checks are good I would otherwise not be inclined to split the cases unless barnacles etc can grow inside.

 

[simonfraser]

Have seen barnies inside my water filter, so recon they could grow inside the leg too.
Far worse problem is barnies on the hydraulic shafts, that messes up the seals, expensive.

 

[petem]

I believe mine has Velox on the drives. Will check paperwork next weekend.

 

[oldgit]

Barnecules nearly always managed somehow to grow inside the leg intakes on my drives.
Needed a bit of time spent with a thin screwdriver to mash em up bit and try to remove as many visible bits as possible.
Only problem then is getting some A/F far enough inside the leg intake to try and stop the *ugggers doing it again.

 

[BruceK]

I believe mine has Velox on the drives. Will check paperwork next weekend.

Thanks Pete. Does it work?

 

[BruceK]

Barnecules nearly always managed somehow to grow inside the leg intakes on my drives.
Needed a bit of time spent with a thin screwdriver to mash em up bit and try to remove as many visible bits as possible.
Only problem then is getting some A/F far enough inside the leg intake to try and stop the *ugggers doing it again.

Thanks O.G. .... Are you serious or just taking the mickey out of my outdrives again Can anyone else confirm or deny this that is in barnacle infested waters

 

[BruceK]

Have seen barnies inside my water filter, so recon they could grow inside the leg too.
Far worse problem is barnies on the hydraulic shafts, that messes up the seals, expensive.

Simon I get that too but often when having traversed over a shallow. The props might be sucking debris in. I'm not sure that is conclusive

 

[petem]

Thanks Pete. Does it work?

I'll let you know in February!

 

[Portofino]

I think they prefer areas with light . They are photosensitive don’t like dark . So inside should ok .
In the Med I often used a knife to scape the gills ( water inlet ) in front of the prop housing .
Trilux was disappointing did not last 1/2 season

 

[Seastoke]

When I had a boat with a leg on it ,I used a metal coat hanger bent at the end ,so you could slide it in then turn it so it cleaned the inside .SS

 

[Boat2016]

I think they prefer areas with light . They are photosensitive don’t like dark . So inside should ok .
In the Med I often used a knife to scape the gills ( water inlet ) in front of the prop housing .
Trilux was disappointing did not last 1/2 season

Used to make a difference to my drives if I reversed in and had drives in the shade or was bow in with drives exposed to more light, I used Trilux as that’s wat was recommended at the time but nothing seemed to last all season and often got a mid season lift to give hull/drive a clean.

 

[BruceK]

When in the sunlight did you ever find barnacle actually inside the drive?

 

[Boat2016]

When in the sunlight did you ever find barnacle actually inside the drive?

No, worst place was around the water intake and lower gearcase, never seen them in strainer. Also got them on props.

 

[scottie]

Early drives have a water inlet in the nose about 15mm dia. Which allows rodding not sure about later.

 

[simonfraser]

Early drives have a water inlet in the nose about 15mm dia. Which allows rodding not sure about later.

That’s what the bottom hole in a DPE is for ?
I flush it using muffs and a plug in the hole.

 

[Andy Bav]

I usually put the biggest bin liners I can find over each leg. The fouling in our marina is pretty bad, but bin liners are quite common, and the heavy duty garden sacks work a treat.

When we were berthed in Torquay, after a winter in the water we used to get an overheat at higher revs, so found a gradual increase in speed eventually cleared them, so when I bag the legs, I always make sure to cover the fins on the front of each....

You may not fancy a dip in the water this time of year (!), but depending on your set up you may be able to do it from the bathing platform / pontoon / tender...

 

[oldgit]

Thanks O.G. .... Are you serious or just taking the mickey out of my outdrives again Can anyone else confirm or deny this that is in barnacle infested waters

Tried several outdrive specific anti-fouls but without that much luck, after 12 months still had nice crop of crustations.
Always left legs up when not in use but invariably had barnecules inside intake slots,they also managed to attach themselves to the stainless jubilee clips and rubber hoses as well.
Never appeared to obviously affect engine water temp though.
Boat was on mud berth so not afloat for much of time.

 

[Seastoke]

Is there any paint to stop Barnicle Bruce sticking to my fun box

 

[BruceK]

Is there any paint to stop Barnicle Bruce sticking to my fun box

Sorry Sponge Bob. No such paint has been devised.

 

[simonfraser]

I usually put the biggest bin liners I can find over each leg. The fouling in our marina is pretty bad, but bin liners are quite common, and the heavy duty garden sacks work a treat.

When we were berthed in Torquay, after a winter in the water we used to get an overheat at higher revs, so found a gradual increase in speed eventually cleared them, so when I bag the legs, I always make sure to cover the fins on the front of each....

You may not fancy a dip in the water this time of year (!), but depending on your set up you may be able to do it from the bathing platform / pontoon / tender...

Excellent idea, not seen that anywhere.
With a couple of poles (sticks) and some clips that can’t be hard to do and save a bunch on maintenance.