prop fouling

[Powersalt]

My boat has been in the water for 12 months and going out last weekend I could only get 22 knots flat out. On looking around the hull...its quite clean but theres loads of fouling on the rudders and presumably the props, which were only polished.
Now looking around the power boats out of the water most do appear to just have polshed rudders and props....so how do you all get on with this as this happened last year to me as well.

Anyone got the answer as I really dont want to have a lift out every 6 months.. Any suggestions?

 

[dib]

If you want nice shiny lovely props ,use the boat. Ifnot antifoul the bad boys. Simples.

 

[Solitaire]

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Anyone got the answer as I really dont want to have a lift out every 6 months.. Any suggestions?

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Use the boat! A seconded suggestion!

 

[AndieMac]

Do you have the product called - Prop-Speed-, probably a little specialised to apply, but works a treat. Goes on the shaft or drive and prop, nothing grows!

Appearance is goldy/yellow . May be a bit pricey, but worth it if you are a fussy owner.

 

[omega2]

move to Bradwell Marina, and "do" the creek at low water, that will polish your props for you, failing that use the boat more often

 

[paulrh]

Prop-speed is first class done mine last year and it works very well, no growth should help with the proformance.

Paul

 

[epervier]

I've been to their website and can't find where to buy it, only recommended applicactors, where can I find prop- speed for the diyer please?

 

[oceandrive]

Just a few barnicles on the props will drasticly cut down performance and increase fuel consumption. The answer to this depends on where you are. here in Menorca all the skippers snorkle down for a quick scrub with a scotch bright pad or a scraper. I supose this is just as easy in the summer months UK. It takes about 6-8 dives to do each prop but well worth it. Boats always run home about 2-3 knots faster. To do this safely you need to find a nice anchorage with no swell and have somebody watching you. and keys out and work from each side never underneath If you dont fancy it we also sometimes use a local dive firm who will do a quick scrub around for about 100 Euros, much cheeper than a lift and powerwash. antifouls work OK on rudders and shafts but not too good on the props we dont even bother and just leave them bare metal. For stern drives up in the beach position with most boats you can virtualy reach the props from the platform. All this depends on how confident you are in the water. But must say we do all the charter boats this way and skippers see it as an excuse for a swim whilst on charter.

 

[jadeflyer]

I second that, when I was in the Med. I would dive with my tanks and scrape my props with a scraper (normal paint scraper) whilst anchored in a nice quiet anchorage. I would run the boat flat out to the anchorage and achieve about 23 kts, after scraping I would get 30 kts.

Regards