Hi, all. Essentially opposite to our friends in much of the country, we here in South Florida find that we don't use our boats nearly as much in Jun-Sep. High temperatures, humidity, frequent thunderstorms and lightning, and typically non-existent/fluky winds are the main causes.
Anyway, the water in our canal gets up to 90F and I dive to clean the bottom regularly. I am tired of scraping hard growth off the prop and had a friend tell me he uses 'green' grease (supposedly waterproof) for that purpose.
I am happy to try the grease on his recommendation alone, but thought I would post here and see if anyone else has methods that work for them.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Several years ago our local sailing mag Latitude 38 did a test on various eco freindly bottom treatments. They tested them on a dingy. They found one of the most effective anti fouling substances was Desitin, yes the stuff you put on babies bottoms for diaper rash. Also zinc oxide the sun burn block did quite well but not as good as Desitin, as I recall there test showed no growth or slime after two months in the water in the summer.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Whatever you put on will get "thrown off" once the prop starts spinning, which is why no one has yet come up with something that works on props. However, your design criteria says "for when I'm NOT using the boat. So, try Steve's suggestions, whaddya have to lose?
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Interesting, Steve. As Stu says, what do I have to lose?
First chore is to try to take the prop off under water and then give it a good cleaning.
Thanks, guys!
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Here are a few products from Pettit.
Prop-Koat 6005 Clear Primer Pt
Prop-Koat 6006 Clear Topcoat
I use 1792 Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier which seems to work as well as can be expected.
Allan Rex
# 2216
Thanks, Allan. At first, I was looking only for something I could apply while underwater. Since I now want to take the prop off for a proper cleaning, I may consider a real antifouling coating. Or I may just try the cheap stuff to see how it works.
Cheers!
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Several years ago, maybe ten years or so, there was a guy in Southwest Florida claiming he could copper plate your prop, and the barnicles will not stick to it. I have not heard of anyone using his system and have not heard anymore about this guy.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Considered "Propspeed", opted for 3 part Interlux application which has proven so effective here in Narragansett Bay that numerous friends are now using. Here's the scoop:
Vincenzo Prop Coating System, should be good for re-coating several
seasons.
1. Step One: clean surfaces (I did my prop, shaft and strut) to bare metal.
2. Etch surface with Vinyl-Lux Primewash (this and following all Interlux products.) 1 coat.
3. Prime with Primocon, possibly two coats.
4. Paint with Ultra Antifouling paint w/Biolux. Two coats.
For subsequent seasons, lightly sand with 100 grit, re-prime and final coat.
Quick synopsis with references (2008 West Marine, Pg, Model #, Cost):
Interlux Product WM p WM # Cost
Vinyl-Lux Primewash* 290 159277 44.17
355 Solvent 289 117960 19.43
Primocon Primer 290 538801 29.99
216 Thinner 289 117598 15.99
Ultra AF Paint 281 1147271 44.99
Sub Total 154.57
Plus 7% Tax = 165.39
Good luck,
JC
Jon
OK, folks, here is the scoop. I will forget about taking the prop off while the boat is in the water unless it is an emergency. With my SCUBA gear, I scraped the bronze prop, polished it somewhat with a Scotch Brite pad, and then tried to apply the Desitin-generic ointment.
Well, the ointment did not want to stick to the metal at all. I was expecting something more like petroleum jelly viscosity, but this was more like a cream.
I may try real Desitin or probably just a waterproof grease next time. I also better not wait as long; the growth was really bad.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Duane:
What about what you just mentioned. Good ole Vaseline. I was thinking of that. Maybe try each blade with something different or each side.
Randy
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
Hopefully my time for protecting the prop while she sits idle is almost over. We should have decent sailing weather arriving before long and we'll be using the boat weekly.
If I get the urge the next time, I will try both the Vaseline and green waterproof grease.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
A little late reporting, perhaps, but I let several weeks go by without using the boat with whatever thin film of zinc oxide baby ointment I could get to stick to the clean prop while underwater.
There results were somewhat inconclusive. There did not seem to be any large hard growth, but the surfaces were no longer smooth as I had left them. I would say that it was better than doing nothing. Scraping and Scotch-Brite cloth were required to clean them up.
Since we are using the boat more often now and the water has cooled to about 75F, I suspect the growth will be manageable.
Next summer I plan to try the Vaseline and green grease.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Has anyone heard of using bee's wax?
I talked to a caribbean sailor once who told me that's what he used.
I don't remember the exact procedure but you need to remove the prop, then apply a coat of bees wax. You then bake the prop in the oven to allow the beeswax to seep into or bond to the metal.
Of course you still have the prop shaft to deal with.
It sounds a bit strange.
Maybe you can bake some brownies while baking your prop!
Here in RI I have used the Interlux system with a fair amount of success.
Lance
S/V "Lanida"
Hull # 1900
East Passage Yachting Ctr
Slip 521
Portsmouth, RI