Folding prop cleaning

[matty47]

Boat has been in the marina for a while and after we hired a diver to clean the bottom found a knocking noise coming from the final drive. We have a Gori folding propeller. After finding that the propeller was not folding properly and was stuck in an partially extended position,We dived several times trying to clean the propeller.I finally I managed to remove the blade assembly. The gears of the folding prop were infested by lots of little shells (oysters?). Read online that soaking the prop in vinegar would soften the shells. After about a 2 hour soak in double strength vinegar the result was amazing. Now have sanded the prop with 80 grit paper to provide a key for Propspeed treatment. The fold works like new!

[quandary]

Any ideas on how to clean it underwater without stripping it? I have a similar problem with bad vibration after being unused thru the winter

[matty47]

We tried cleaning underwater but the gears were too hard to get to. Even out of the water could not really clean all the gears which is why we tried the vinegar. I did think about filling a plastic bag with vinegar closing the top, taking underwater and then trying to it around the prop underwater but in the end found it easier to bring the blade assembly to the surface.

[tamicatana]

If possible, close the prop bf leaving the boat unused. I can reach mine with a boat hook

[quandary]

Thanks for that. I thought of diving and putting a plastic bag over the prop to basically isolate it while not in use and hopefully stop any growth. The idea of vinegar in the bag to destroy organisms could work and one could design a bag/container to be sealed around the propshaft with an in/out hose arrangement so that vinegar/fresh water could be pumped through it?

[JimsCAL]

Or just use the boat more!

[quandary]

That is the real answer...and hopefully Covid is over!