propeller anti-fouling

[Martin_e]

I have an IW 31 (She 31B) berthed in southern Norway. I use Seajet anti-foul and am very pleased, But what can I use on the bronze prop? Last summer I ended up with nearly 15mm of growth all over the prop and ss shaft! I had coated it all with some stuff from Hemple (for use on stern drives) but that did not work. Since tide height is more influenced by barometric pressure over here drying out is not an option. Any ideas?

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[ccscott49]

I antifoul my prop and shaft all the time, used seajet this time. you had better do so in the western meddy! The fouling here is horrendous.

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[PGD]

check out the thread on Mobo chat, all about painting props etc.

peter

<hr width=100% size=1>Complete the Consumer Survey <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mssa.org.uk>http://www.mssa.org.uk</A> Marine Service Standards Assistance

 

[charles_reed]

I never used to use antifouling on my prop, but after leaving my boat for 2 months in a small harbour in N Sardinia had such a growth of coral (yes coral) on it that it was only 50% efficient.

I have to disagree with Colin, I've found fouling in the W med to be considerably less (on antifouled parts of the hull) than in Atlantic waters (though being farther S with greater water temperatures does encourage growth).

In the past I've just relied on putting a mirror finish on the prop using a 3M metal finishing pad (1600 wet & dry is no good, far too coarse). Previous threads on this and other BBs, have expressed disappointment in all the specialist prop antifoulings.

Considerable faith has been expressed in 2 alternative technologies - the first involves polishing the prop and then applying lanolin under heat; the second the application of grating blacking, used during the 19th century by countless households to prevent soot build-up on fireplace grates, after polishing.
In both cases I suspect the polishing is the critical factor.

You may, in fact, have experienced a temporary phenomenen, caused by the unusually high sea-temperatures experienced all round the coasts of Europe.
I intend to make no change to my current practice of polishing the prop - I've found that sufficient usage keeps it clean.
In fairness the boat had been in the water for 18 months since antifouling and, apart from a few barnacles and some slime was remarkably clean - except for the prop.


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[ccscott49]

I agree w ityh you about it only seems to be metal parts of the boat suffer severe fouling, but around the ebro delta and barcelona, the fouling is very bad, a lot worse than i ever saw in uK or portugal, maybe those little swines of barnacles like my boat. i wet back int he water after three coats of seajet, in may, ballearics then sardinia, my boat has a lot of barnacles on it already and had from about november, never seen this before, anywhere. the props are a mess i willhave to dive and clean them before leaving.

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[catmandoo]

I got coral on my props in north Sardinia . however 20 minutes a prop wearing a snorkel and wielding a paint scraper was a no cost solution . also got a bit of exercise , a cool down in the midday sun and an extra wash thrown in

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[charles_reed]

cleaning props

Really need a lung on my boat, because you need to grab the Autoprop blades to hold them still - however I had the boat out and the whole lot cleaned down in Hyeres for €84, including changing the shaft anodes.

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[dickh]

Defininitely use Lanolin. Highly polish the prop until you can see your face in it, smear on Lanolin with a blow torch to get it runny and thats it. Worked for me last summer, only one or two barnacles and a little bit of weed.
Use Anhydrous Lanolin from <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.baldwins.co.uk>http://www.baldwins.co.uk</A> or you can use "Prop Protector" from your local Chandlery, but much more expensive.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Rich_F]

How much do you need for a single treatment? Should I go for the 60ml, 120ml or 250ml?

Also, could you describe the application a little? Do I heat the prop then smear it on, or vice versa?

Looking forward to a foul free prop this year!

Rich

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[Dave_Knowles]

I have had good results with International VC Prop-O-Drev. See <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtpaint.com/uk/>http://www.yachtpaint.com/uk/</A> and look under antifouling.

Not too easy to find but it is there.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dave
Southampton - uk

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk>The site for cleopatra boat owners</A>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Another Lanolin convert - on the second year of using this, the effect seems cumulative, perhaps soaking into the outrer molecular layer?? as this year I am still in the water from March with no loss of performance. Comes out on 24th - so I'll know the full story then.

I also use it to lubricate anything on deck (shackles etc)

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[isha]

Martin, I too have a IW 31 with a 2 blade prop and am situated in the North East of Scotland on a swinging mooring. Last two summers I have cruised to the Orkney Islands and the rest of the time it is day sailing.The boat spends a lot of time on the mooring in a area which fouls the hull. All that I do is give the prop a really good polish when she is out of the water during the winter and it stays that way through the summer when in the water.
It may be that fouling of the prop is in part related to how often the prop is used.

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[BrendanChandler]

Propellor polishing

What do you use to polish the prop?

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http://hometown.aol.co.uk/brendanchandler/index.html