Propeller Crud...

[John D]

I'm hauling Mariah this weekend, and I have a question. The bottom looks pretty good (as far as I can see now), but the prop is covered with barnacles. I'm sure I'll have a great time scraping them off. Any ideas on the best way to do this? More importantly, how to prevent it in the future? I read somewhere (probably here) that a coating of anhydrous lanolin would be good. I imagine everyone has their own "secret" formula, so how about coughing up a few more secrets and letting a debate about this pop up. Thanks.

John

S/V Mariah



john_dupras@hotmail.com

[Scott Ritchey]

I normally have very few barnacles, but this year I had so many on the prop I thought the engine was broken ... no thrust and very low RPM wide open.

Just using a mask and snorkel, I find I can scrape the barnackles off the prop with the boat still in the water. The trick is to dig down to the metal (make a clean spot) and then scrape under the critters to separate them from the metal. I use a diving knife of a putty knife. They may be much harder to get off after they dry, so I recommend you get strated as soon as the hull is chocked.

I'm hauling Mariah this weekend, and I have a question. The bottom looks pretty good (as far as I can see now), but the prop is covered with barnacles. I'm sure I'll have a great time scraping them off. Any ideas on the best way to do this? More importantly, how to prevent it in the future? I read somewhere (probably here) that a coating of anhydrous lanolin would be good. I imagine everyone has their own "secret" formula, so how about coughing up a few more secrets and letting a debate about this pop up. Thanks.

John

S/V Mariah

[Jerry J Commisso]

John,
I have tried many things but nothing has worked. The mechanic in the boat yard told me to use outdrive anti fouling paint. This comes in a spray can and is clear. Clean the prop real good than rough it up with sand paper. I put on about six coats. Follow the directions on the can it's pretty easy. The prop looks like it was varnished it may just work. This guy says it's the best thing to do, we'll see.
Good luck,
Jerry
CD 30c CHELSEA ROSE

I'm hauling Mariah this weekend, and I have a question. The bottom looks pretty good (as far as I can see now), but the prop is covered with barnacles. I'm sure I'll have a great time scraping them off. Any ideas on the best way to do this? More importantly, how to prevent it in the future? I read somewhere (probably here) that a coating of anhydrous lanolin would be good. I imagine everyone has their own "secret" formula, so how about coughing up a few more secrets and letting a debate about this pop up. Thanks.

John

S/V Mariah

liasboat@aol.com

[Chris Reinke]

John - I used a wire wheel in a cordless drill to clean my prop when I hauled last fall. It makes a bit of a mess with bits of the critters flying all over the place. It all cleaned up when I washed the hull down. I then used a dark silver outdrive paint on the prop. Some folks recommend that you do not use standard bottom paint as the metallic content of the paint may react with the bronze prop. I never really understood why it does not react with the bronze thru-hulls, but I guess that is for a different discussion.

Good Luck!

I'm hauling Mariah this weekend, and I have a question. The bottom looks pretty good (as far as I can see now), but the prop is covered with barnacles. I'm sure I'll have a great time scraping them off. Any ideas on the best way to do this? More importantly, how to prevent it in the future? I read somewhere (probably here) that a coating of anhydrous lanolin would be good. I imagine everyone has their own "secret" formula, so how about coughing up a few more secrets and letting a debate about this pop up. Thanks.

John

S/V Mariah

[Brian Hickson]

Before my boat was launched two days ago, I applied a liberal dose of anhydrous lanolin [$17 for a one pound jar at CVS; should last for many years] to the prop. We'll find out the results in October.

Brian