Permanent Marking Pen to keep prop clean

[winschwab]

Applied three coats of black magic marker (recommended and sold by Florida marina) to prop. Boat went in water 3/1/16, spent approximately three months cruising Florida east coast and Bahamas, then two months moored in Saint Johns River, Florida. Approximately 1/2" growth on prop (in other words blades were 1" thick with barnacles) and cruising speed dropped from 5.5 to 3.5K.

Conclusion: useless in semitropical/tropical waters.

[rwidman]

The reason props and other underwater metal is not painted with conventional (metal) bottom paint is because the two metals will create an electrical current and damage them. Read the instructions on the can.


Cayenne pepper? Be serious. If it worked it would already be in the paint.


Magic marker prevents growth? That's the best one I've heard yet!

[ArmyDaveNY]

You could always get a test plate of the same material as the prop is made out of, put the marker on it, and then see who it works.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by winschwab

Applied three coats of black magic marker (recommended and sold by Florida marina) to prop. Boat went in water 3/1/16, spent approximately three months cruising Florida east coast and Bahamas, then two months moored in Saint Johns River, Florida. Approximately 1/2" growth on prop (in other words blades were 1" thick with barnacles) and cruising speed dropped from 5.5 to 3.5K.

Conclusion: useless in semitropical/tropical waters.

Thats what I said, "black does not work at all". You need to use red.

[keepondancin]

Last year I used Interlux spray transducer paint on my prop and shaft, masking the spots where I put two zincs. At haul out they where really pretty good. At a boat show I saw Interlux had running gear spray paint. When I questioned the rep, he said it is the same as the transducer paint, West Marine wanted a product marked for running gear, so just repackaged.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

You could always get a test plate of the same material as the prop is made out of, put the marker on it, and then see who it works.

I suppose I could but as an alternative, I could just put on my thinking cap and realize that if this worked, they would already be marketed for the use at marine stores.

[Ramona]

I have just done a test with Sharpie marker pens. I used blue, red and green on various parts of a two blade folder. Lasted probably 3 months. I would say the performance was about the same as straight polished bronze.

[contrail]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I suppose I could but as an alternative, I could just put on my thinking cap and realize that if this worked, they would already be marketed for the use at marine stores.

So, it's not possible to come up with something new? Happens all the time!

[GoneIsland]

Well Ron, I can see you are hell bent on just doing and using what people want to sell you, so good on ya!
BUT, I have REAL experience with magic marker on both my boats on Lake Ponchatrain and it works great for up to 2 years. Now I know I'm on brackish water but it works for me. No barnacles or green slime. I'm just responding to the OP who was asking if anyone had tried this, and I have

[JstaRebel]

Originally Posted by BWSJWS

Well, I am about to haul out. We live on our boat in Mexico and it is hot. WAter temp this time of year is 34 - 35 degrees centigrade. I will try the permanent marker and tell you. We get our bottom cleaned every one or two months and the prop always needs to be cleaned. The dirty prop slows us down by over a knot when motoring. Stay tuned. I will report back in a few months. Splashing at the end of september then a month in the warm water should start showing growth. we will see how the prop looks after the permanent black and red markers perform.

John
s/v Ingenium

FYI, I'm told that the "Marks a Lot" marker is the only one that works. My buddy mentioned that coated the prop with marker, let it dry and coated it again. He did this four times with heavy coats. I'm going to try it myself next haul out. Certainly won't cost much to give it a try and if it works, then so much the better. Good luck overall with your haul out.

[JstaRebel]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

We're months past April 1st!!

I thought every month was April to Californian's Steve..

[JstaRebel]

Originally Posted by rwidman

The reason props and other underwater metal is not painted with conventional (metal) bottom paint is because the two metals will create an electrical current and damage them. Read the instructions on the can.


Cayenne pepper? Be serious. If it worked it would already be in the paint.


Magic marker prevents growth? That's the best one I've heard yet!

Geez. I can certainly tell you're not from the upstate. Maybe you need to cut back on the low country boil.

[JstaRebel]

He specifically said marks a lot black, but glad you had good luck with the red. Maybe use each color on a different blade. Wouldn't that look weird going around underwater.. haha.

[JstaRebel]

I wasn't expecting that many had tried this approach, but thanks to you all who have tried it and replied. I'm definitely going to give it a try and probably get a few chuckles from other boaties in the yard as a result, but what the heck.

Cheers!

JstaRebel

[JstaRebel]

Originally Posted by GoneIsland

Well Ron, I can see you are hell bent on just doing and using what people want to sell you, so good on ya!
BUT, I have REAL experience with magic marker on both my boats on Lake Ponchatrain and it works great for up to 2 years. Now I know I'm on brackish water but it works for me. No barnacles or green slime. I'm just responding to the OP who was asking if anyone had tried this, and I have

Thanks Goneisland. Some people are afraid of trying new things. I'm not one of them and a giggle here and there is like water off a ducks back. It's the internet after all.