Anti fouling paint for running gear

[keepondancin]

I have used Micron Extra for many years, and also have applied it to the prop and shaft, with reasonable success. Last year, not so good. I had this really strange, flat growth over everything, similiar to what is left after barnacles are removed. It was right over bottom paint. What do others use, with some success on their running gear? There is still bottom paint on the prop, which I am going to remove with stripper, and get to bare metal again, but am looking for something else to use.

[jcapo]

Rust-Oleum Professional 15 oz. Flat Gray Cold Galvanizing Compound-7585838 - The Home Depot

Or

Prop Coat Barnacle Barrier

Nothing works for more than 6 months for me in the Southeast and Bahamas waters. Some report the zinc coatings don't work at all. Some report very good success. For me its 6 months max.

[fstbttms]

Nothing works like regular cleanings by a diver 😛

[Kenomac]

I put the scuba or hookah gear on once a month and scrape it myself. Gives me a chance to inspect everything first hand. The bottom of the boat is no longer a mystery.

[Mainstay]

Propspeed - expensive but worth it.

[Scrimshaw4]

I highly recommend Propspeed! I sail both in the Chesapeake Bay and New England waters. After 2 years I have had only a few minor barnicles attach to the hub of my prop. The rest was as clean as the day applied. While a bit pricey it more than makes up for the cost in fuel savings and diver cleaning! The key to it is having the propellor and shaft properly prepped before it is applied. Just make sure you don't coat the areas where your zincs are attached.

[HopCar]

Prop Speed works in South Florida.

[minaret]

I generally only apply Propspeed to very large twin screw powerboats. In those cases, it pays for itself in increased long term fuel efficiency. Otherwise it doesn't pencil out. For small cheap boats, it's Barnacle Ban or one of its many equivalents. For everyone else, it's Velox all the way. I've been applying a ton of Velox White, as opposed to black. It makes the prop visible from the dock; you can tell at a glance if it's dirty or fouled with line. Also makes life easy for the diver. It's easier to do a good cleaning on a prop which is both painted white and Teflon coated.

[micknor51]

I will second the Velox Plus white that 'minaret' mentions. Much cheaper than Propspeed.
Michael

[cwyckham]

Here's a really good article on anti-fouling propellers from Sail Magazine.

[Har2015]

Regardless of the method used or product applied, as fstbttms noted, nothing beats regular inspections and cleanings (as needed) by an experienced diver. Let's face it, there is no end to end all fouling problems.


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