Prop fouling

C

chris66

Active Member
Joined
30 Dec 2002
Messages
61
Location
Milan / Antibes
xoomer.alice.it
Three months since anti-fouling my hull is perfect but the props and flaps are covered in growth & barnicles, as are the mouths of the exhausts. Next year I intend to do the work myself so what can I use ?
Strange thing is that this never happened when I got the work done in Italy, but now the boat is in the south of france, 100 miles down the coast , the barnicles have appreared...

<hr width=100% size=1>Chris
 
The local yards use hydrochloric acid on all non-antifouled surfaces. Works a treat. My boat has put on 6-7 knots of speed since the hull and sterngear was cleaned

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I'm no chemist, but surely the hydrochloric acid comes off when you put the boat in water and spin the prop a few times ?? Obviously not - does yours remain clean for the whole season ?

<hr width=100% size=1>Chris
 
The acid only cleans the sterngear, it does'nt offer any protection once the boat goes back into the water. But the fouling was so heavy on my boat's sterngear that a high pressure washer would'nt clear it but this is quite normal for the area, hence the acid

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I asked a similar question a month or so ago and was advised to smear Lanolin or Lard on the prop & hub. Only got round to doing it today(lard) and will report back in a few months time.

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interestingly I used the Starbrite hull cleaner based on hydrocloric acid (25%?) recently and having read that it also removed stainless rust hada wonderfull hour running all over the boat with a touthbrush (fantastic stuff!).....however back to props. I have no end of fouling probs with the Merc stainless duo on my BIII (and enviously considered sand blasting a la trippleace) and, out of interest really, brushed some on the props - not only did they come up cleaner than ever beefore but a month later they have remained clear of barnacle and weed growth for no obvious reason. I have put it down to some residue but long may it last!

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I took the boat out after a 2 month enforced lay off. Speed down to 10 knots from usual 22ish. Revs down to 2500 from 3800 normal.
Checked sterngear and props covered in worm like barnacles. Obviously anti fowl is not anti insect.

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