Covering the sail-drives

[phuelin]

Dose putting a black plastic garbage bag over the sail drive while boat is moored help stop growth.Can it damage the leg or prop both Alu.
Thanks ,
Phil.

[Sberg]

I do this when we leave our boat for a while. It’s been effective so far in stopping fouling. Never seen any detrimental effect on the leg or prop. The maximum time it’s been on for was 5 weeks

[phuelin]

I am looking at 3 months I can not see how it can hurt but I do not know for sure.

[a64pilot]

Putting a garbage bag on a prop I know pretty much stops growth, I don’t see any reason a saildrive would be different.
I’m sure it won’t stop stray current corrosion though.
I’m the guy who hangs an aluminum electrode that is connected to my engine directly, it does make anodes last a long time, cause of course it’s a big anode.
I have changed from zinc to aluminum for anodes and am happy with the result.
I figure it’s cheap Insurence, especially as it seems that saildrives are more vulnerable
https://www.boatzincs.com/hanging_anode_aluminum.html

Best I think if you can have a diver inspect and clean monthly, check anodes etc.

[belizesailor]

I remove my props and bag the drives if storing for a long time in salt water. It makes a huge difference. No negative effects.

Re stray current. I dont like storing long term in water in marinas (have done it, but dont like it) because there are just too many possiblities to severely damage a sail drive. $500 to haul and stow on the hard is way cheaper than a new sail drive.