Stainless Steel propellers - Polish or Antifoul

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As growth only appears when in sunshine (well it's worse when), could you not trim up and fit a prop bag to keep them out of the sunshine??

Extra Large Propeller Bag - West Wales Marine
Interesting I thought of this as I used to use an IKEA bag on our 150hp outboard that would not lift completely and that worked well. However, I can’t reach my outdrive due to the bathing platform. I currently reverse into my pontoon mooring at Cobbs Quay which is facing approximately S and not much movement of water. I wonder if I went in bow first so the stern/outdrive is facing out into the passageway between the long gangways where there is more movement of water and facing North might be better.
 
Anything submerged, especially near the surface where the sun will bring light and higher temperature, will foul.

If the goal is to prevent growth on propellers I can see two ways:

1: Use the boat more frequently
2: Apply antifouling

#2 brings a challenge: Get it to stay on for a full season.

Of the many products I have used (even unorthodox) over 5 decades and 7 boats, the best result has been Hammerite Special Metals primer with Velox on top.
Held up pretty well on current boat, pushing 7½ tons at 24 knots (now and then,- not all the time) ?
Was the Hammerite Special metals primer the red colour? And what colour Velox on top? Was this spray or hand painted? Thanks.
 
All painted, red primer and black Velox - as per the instructions.

Boats on pontoons at was what Holyhead marina for about 17 years.

DPS Stainless props kept pretty clean, but the aluminium hubs needed antifouling.
DPH bronze ( a copper containing alloy) props, awful fouling !
 
Interesting I thought of this as I used to use an IKEA bag on our 150hp outboard that would not lift completely and that worked well. However, I can’t reach my outdrive due to the bathing platform. I currently reverse into my pontoon mooring at Cobbs Quay which is facing approximately S and not much movement of water. I wonder if I went in bow first so the stern/outdrive is facing out into the passageway between the long gangways where there is more movement of water and facing North might be better.
I'm on a shaft drive and my prop never sees sunlight. When I lift the boat my prop has little to no growth. A small bit of slime maybe but no weed formation. Maybe parking so the outdrives are in the shade may help?
 
I'm on a shaft drive and my prop never sees sunlight. When I lift the boat my prop has little to no growth. A small bit of slime maybe but no weed formation. Maybe parking so the outdrives are in the shade may help?

For me, that's not really possible.

I did look at the boat opposite that has their stern North-facing, and the outdrives there also look like something from a Pirates of the Caribbean film, and not in a good way, apart from that the vegetation looks to be slightly darker.
 
Ok so if we believe it is a sunlight problem causing the props to barnacle and foul up what about fixing a tarpaulin on bungee cords from the pontoon to my bathing platform so the sun can’t get to the props. I’m normally backed in. What do people think.
 
Ok so if we believe it is a sunlight problem causing the props to barnacle and foul up what about fixing a tarpaulin on bungee cords from the pontoon to my bathing platform so the sun can’t get to the props. I’m normally backed in. What do people think.
Well it certainly won't hurt to try. Not sure you'll cure the barnacle issue, but should help to prevent the rapid weed growth.
I've noticed more of a beard on the side of my boat that's in the sun compared to the side that's against the finger pontoon and in the shade!
 
Well it certainly won't hurt to try. Not sure you'll cure the barnacle issue, but should help to prevent the rapid weed growth.
I've noticed more of a beard on the side of my boat that's in the sun compared to the side that's against the finger pontoon and in the shade!
Also, a decent snorkel set up and a scrubbing brush is a worthy investment for mid season or bi monthly scrubs
 
So looks like the following:
1. Cover outdrive and propellers with tarpaulin when on pontoon.
2. Try and scrub more often in season over the side in the water
3. 50:50 as to whether leave highly polished or Hammerite Red special metals primer and black marlin velox antifoul.

not sure what else I can do.
 
Sounds like a plan. I have a semi-D hull and a bronze prop. It too fouls but I just pop a mask on and go down to give it a scrub. It doesn't take very long. I use a green nylon domestic scouring pad, rough enough to take the fouling off but soft enough not to harm the prop.
 
Sounds like a plan. I have a semi-D hull and a bronze prop. It too fouls but I just pop a mask on and go down to give it a scrub. It doesn't take very long. I use a green nylon domestic scouring pad, rough enough to take the fouling off but soft enough not to harm the prop.
I use industrial white scouring pads when cleaning in the water. I also do the outdrive, depth transducer and speed log wheel as well at the same time. Being a planing boat any growth on the propeller, leg etc makes a massive difference to performance and running costs. Sometimes can cut my speed down by 50% and double fuel costs which is crazy. I think semi displacement wins out here.
 
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