Barnacles

[Brian Hickson]

When my boat [25D ] was hauled last fall, the propeller was encrusted with barnacles. Should the propeller be painted with an anti-fouling paint or is there another method to prevent this?

Thanks, Brian

[Chris Cram]

There are as many opinions on this as there are boat owners. There is no fool proof method. I use parafin wax spread on liberally and as evenly as possible. When this was first presented to me it sounded kooky but it seems to work as eveidenced by better preformance much after I have noticed reduced preformance in non wax years. As for painting the prop-- many people do it-- but some argue that there is a mix of metals (bronze and copper) that will over the years cause damage to the prop.



cccobx@prodigy.net

[Capt. Mike]

Dear Sailor:
Bronze is an alloy of predominately copper and tin. There are some other trace metals at times added to the pot to enhance the physical properties ie magnesium to increase the strength. These other metals might cause corrosion because of their difference in electrochemical potential. Paint the prop? Waxing sounds like an interesting solution; Waxing might decease the drag and provide a couple extra RPM's-more speed? The dilemma continues- Do I use Waxed or Unwaxed floss or Catsup or ketsup. As always, keep your head up and stick on the ice. Capt. Mike

There are as many opinions on this as there are boat owners. There is no fool proof method. I use parafin wax spread on liberally and as evenly as possible. When this was first presented to me it sounded kooky but it seems to work as eveidenced by better preformance much after I have noticed reduced preformance in non wax years. As for painting the prop-- many people do it-- but some argue that there is a mix of metals (bronze and copper) that will over the years cause damage to the prop.

[Don S.]

Brian,
Years ago I used STP with great success. It clings tenaciously. But then the new micron paints seemed to give a cone of protection and I stopped putting anything on. But when I bought the 25D, with the bonded electrical system, I acquired a huge barnacle on the prop problem -- even with painting. I'm going back to STP this year to see what happens. Through the years I've noticed that different kinds of growth seem to prevail. A couple of years back we had mussels on all the boats when they were hauled, some years it's slime, last year it was barnacles.

Don Sargeant
CD25D #189
Greenwich Cove

When my boat [25D ] was hauled last fall, the propeller was encrusted with barnacles. Should the propeller be painted with an anti-fouling paint or is there another method to prevent this?

Thanks, Brian

don@cliggott.com

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Brian,

I have absolutely no idea if it will work, but someone told me that if you use common stove black on the prop it will not grow barnacles. So, I'm going to try it this year. I don't usually have much growth on the prop, 'cause I give it a few licks with a scrub brush whenever I go over the side for a swim, but we'll see how the stove black works.

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30

[Bill Goldsmith]

Last year someone in my yard gave me some leftover product he was trying. It was a two part primer which you then paint with bottom paint. I got the prop all shiny, put the first (bright yellow) coat on, then the second primer coat (battleship gray). Painted the prop with micron CSC and went sailing. In the fall, the prop was COVERED with barnacles. I think that stuff he gave me was BARNACLE FOOD!!!! I don't know the name of that product but it sure did NOT work.

"Barnacle" Bill Goldsmith
CD27 #173
Second Chance

When my boat [25D ] was hauled last fall, the propeller was encrusted with barnacles. Should the propeller be painted with an anti-fouling paint or is there another method to prevent this?

Thanks, Brian

goldy@bestweb.net

[Olli Wendelin]

Brian,

I use Trinidad anti-fouling paint on my CD30. It had the largest copper content by far. When I careened last spring I painted the prop also. I dove on the prop last weekend before going sailing. It had some barnacles and weeds on it which I removed with a paint scraper.
Not bad for a years growth. I really should scrub the bottom once a month to prevent this, but even down south the water is a little cold in the winter.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil

[Neil Gordon]

>>...but even down south the water is a little cold in the winter.<<

Can you define that in degrees? <s>

I've been in the ocean in Maine when the water temp was just under 50... not for long, though. <G> Worse though was a guest that decided the end of my stern line would look good wrapped around the prop. <groan> That had me under the boat (in Boston), late afternoon in late October.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Catherine Monaghan]

Brian,

We use an Interlux product on our prop -- wouldn't put the boat in the water without it. We've been using it since 1997 with very satisfactory results.

The prop has to be prepared beforehand. It has to be clean and smooth -- like new. Then it has to be primed. Then the antifouling goes on.

Here's a link to Interlux' <a href="http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/boaters_g ... .pdf">info and instructions</a> if you're interested. (It's a PDF file.)

catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... lization's Home Page</a>

When my boat [25D ] was hauled last fall, the propeller was encrusted with barnacles. Should the propeller be painted with an anti-fouling paint or is there another method to prevent this?

Thanks, Brian

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[Olli Wendelin]

Neil

Water temp last saturday was about 65 F, although it does go down to 44 F during january and february. I know this dosn't seem cold for all of you icebound sailors, but I prefer my water in the 80s.

If you are sailing in cold waters I would recommend a wet suit, hood, gloves, and scuba aboard for clearing props and anchors. I also have heat packs to put in my wetsuit, which keeps me toasty for about 45 minutes.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil