Hi, I run into this question every year before spring launch: Should I
bottom paint the prop and shaft to my 28 ft sailboat? I was wondering
what other peoples opinions where or what they've done.

I have a standard bronze 2 blade prop with a bronze shaft. Most years
I've applied several coats of hard epoxy anti-fouling paint. In the
fall, when the boat gets hauled I've noticed most of the paint is worn
off with a fair number of barnacles attached. Yet, the last time I
launched the boat I left the prop bare to see the results. After the
season, there were a lot of barnacles.

I'm inclined to go back and paint the prop this year. It at least
provides some protection. But what i notice is that most sailboat owners
leave their props unpainted. I'm sure there's a ton of opinions out
there. I'm curious what they are. thanks.

Frank

Frank wrote:
Hi, I run into this question every year before spring launch: Should
I bottom paint the prop and shaft to my 28 ft sailboat? I was
wondering what other peoples opinions where or what they've done.

I have a standard bronze 2 blade prop with a bronze shaft. Most years
I've applied several coats of hard epoxy anti-fouling paint. In the
fall, when the boat gets hauled I've noticed most of the paint is worn
off with a fair number of barnacles attached. Yet, the last time I
launched the boat I left the prop bare to see the results. After the
season, there were a lot of barnacles.

I'm inclined to go back and paint the prop this year. It at least
provides some protection. But what i notice is that most sailboat
owners leave their props unpainted. I'm sure there's a ton of
opinions out there. I'm curious what they are. thanks.


Last haul I used this stuff:

http://www.propspeed.com/

And have been very happy wirh th results. I have a 3 blade composite
feathering prop that the ablative antifoul just wouldn't stick to, this
stuff works well.

No commercial interest etc etc..

Ian

Propspeed sounds interesting. Do you still use zincs with the shaft and
obviously you have to keep a section of the shaft clear of the stuff if you
do. I would like to hear more about it from your experience.

Brian

Brian wrote:
Propspeed sounds interesting. Do you still use zincs with the shaft
and obviously you have to keep a section of the shaft clear of the
stuff if you do. I would like to hear more about it from your
experience.

Well, we applied it to the shaft and prop, then installed the zinc as usual
over the treated shaft. I can't add much else at this point, it's only been
on for six months, and no growth or barnacles yet, be more interesting to
review it in another 18 months or so.

I will say that the vibration from the driveline has been reduced to the
lowest levels ever since we applied this gear. I believe the atntifoul used
to flake off inconsistently and slowly increase the vibration under power,
always surprising how the smallest things can make a difference. Admittedly
before the jast haul I had a crop of crusties and some growth there so the
difference from motoring in to the yard and motoring out was impressively
significant. I must say things have not deteriorated noticeably to date, in
itself a recommendation imo.

Ian

Yea, the zincs still need good contact with the shaft. Either leave
the propspeed off a spot, or easier, just sand the spot where you're
putting the zinc.